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Prostatic hyperplasia

The prostate is a gland that is anatomically located below the bladder and surrounds the male urethra. The role of the prostate is the production of seminal fluids. It weighs 10-20 grams and over time gradually increases in size and can cause obstructive problems in urination.

A regular preventive annual check-up of the prostate is carried out in the clinic (IPSS questionnaire, ultrasound, general urinalysis, urinalysis if indicated). Medication is given for symptoms and transurethral prostatectomy (TURis) and laser prostatectomy (HoLEP) are performed when indicated.

Prostate hyperplasia can cause the following symptoms:

Urinary frequency (increased frequency of urination)
Nocturia (getting up during sleep to urinate)
Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder (after urinating there is a feeling that there is still urine in the bladder)
Weak urine flow (decreased voiding radius and thickness of urine stream)
Difficulty starting to urinate (even urinating while sitting down)
Prolonged urination with breaks
Urgency (inability to delay urination)
Urinary retention (inability to urinate with a full bladder)

The diagnosis is mainly based on correct history taking and the use of questionnaires (http://www.imop.gr/check-up/ourisis-prostati). Also, as part of the regular check-up, urine tests (general and urine culture), finger test and PSA to avoid malignancy and ultrasound examination of the urinary tract are recommended. For symptoms not indicative of treatment, a regular re-check of the above is indicated per year.

The treatment of the disease is proportional to the symptoms and their severity and varies.

Changes in daily life (decrease caffeine intake, limit fluid intake only to satisfy thirst, stop fluid intake about 4 hours before bed)
Regular monitoring by a Urologist until the symptoms change without any treatment
Taking plant extracts with anti-inflammatory effects on the prostate gland (Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum)
Medication (α-adrenergic receptor blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, anticholinergics and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors)
Surgical treatment based on absolute or relative indications and depending on the size of the prostate gland (unipolar transurethral prostatectomy or bipolar transurethral prostatectomy-TURisP for prostate sizes up to 80-90ml, laser prostatectomy or open prostatectomy for prostate sizes exceeding 90ml and minimally invasive techniques in case of comorbidity and increased risk intraoperatively)