Prostate health issues are common. By the age of 50, about 30% of men will start to experience difficulties with urination related to enlargement of the prostate gland or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Increases in the number of times a man has to urinate, along with a frequent sensation of having to urinate (especially at night), are among some of the early signs. In addition, a reduction in the force and caliber of urination is also characteristic of prostatic enlargement. Instability of the detrusor muscle (the outer muscle layer of the bladder) can even result in urinary incontinence.
Enlargement of the prostate is usually caused by an abnormal overgrowth or swelling of the tissue of the prostate, which then blocks the urethra (opening from the bladder). Problems associated with this condition usually continue to worsen with age, increasing in incidence to about 50% of all men by the age of 60 and up to 80% past age 70. Most physicians consider prostate health issues to be a normal consequence of aging.
