Prostate gland growth

Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as they get older. Although enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia in most cases) rarely causes symptoms before the age of 40, the occurrence and symptoms increase with age. Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects almost every second man 50+ years old.

At birth the prostate weighs only a few grams. The physiological growth of the prostate begins during sexual maturation in puberty, and around the age of 20 the prostate gland reaches its adult size. The second growth period starts after the age of 30. When a man reaches the age of 40, the prostate gland might have increased from the size of a walnut to that of an apricot. By the time he reaches the age of 60, it might be even bigger!
 

Factors affecting prostate growth


Men with the following factors are more likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia:
- age 40 years and older
- hereditary predisposition (occurrence in family)
- medical conditions such as obesity, heart and circulatory disease, and type 2 diabetes
- lack of physical exercise; 
Yet, the actual cause of prostate enlargement is still unknown. 

Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels.
Men produce testosterone, a male hormone, throughout their lives. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass, facial hair growth, voice change and sex drive. Testosterone is then converted to  dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone that plays a role in prostate development and growth. As men age, the amount of active testosterone in their blood decreases. Some research has indicated that even with a reduction of blood testosterone levels, older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT in the prostate. This accumulation of DHT may encourage prostate cells to continue to grow.

Another theory focuses on the fact that apart from testosterone men produce also small amounts of estrogen, a female hormone. Scientific studies have suggested that benign prostatic hyperplasia may occur because the higher proportion of estrogen within the prostate increases the activity of substances that promote prostate cell growth.
 

Consequences of prostate growth


Because it surrounds part of the urethra, the enlarged prostate can squeeze it and cause problems in the passing of urine. As the urethra narrows, the bladder also has to contract more forcefully to push urine out of the body.

Over time, the bladder musculature may gradually become thicker and overly sensitive; the bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing a need to urinate frequently.

Eventually, the bladder musculature cannot overcome the effect of the narrowed urethra so urine remains in the bladder and it is not completely emptied.
Není-li močový měchýř úplně prázdný, existuje riziko vzniku infekcí močových cest. Mohou vznikat i jiné When the bladder does not empty completely, there is a risk for developing urinary tract infections. Other serious problems can also develop over time, including bladder stones, blood in the urine or incontinence.