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A common condition, especially among older men

	Most men find it difficult to talk to their doctors about prostate problems. But even if your symptoms are mild, it's important to get them checked. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org for advice on alleviating symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out if medications, alternative therapies or surgery rates best for treating an enlarged prostate.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about an enlarged prostate, and expert evidence and advice about treatments.

Key points for men with an enlarged prostate

• Having an enlarged prostate is common, especially among older men.
• This condition, more formally known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is not serious, but the symptoms can be similar to those of more serious conditions. So it's important to get checked out by a doctor.
• BPH is often slow to develop, and it doesn't always get worse. Your doctor may try different treatments to work out which one is best for you.
• A wait-and-see approach (called "watchful waiting") is becoming more widely used, while traditional surgery for BPH is becoming less common. (This surgery is called transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP for short.)
• Drugs, herbal treatments, and surgery can ease your symptoms.
• If you do opt for surgery, there are a number of new surgeries that are simpler to perform than a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). For many of these new procedures, you don't need to be put to sleep for the operation.
• It's important to discuss the benefits and possible harms of each treatment with your doctor.

It is rare for men to have an enlarged prostate if they're under age 40. But about 1 in 10 men in their 50s will get BPH. And about 2 or 3 men in 10 who are in their early 70s will get the condition. Factors that put men at risk for an enlarged prostate may include: family history, older age, and race.

For men who want to do something about their symptoms, there are a number of treatments available, including drugs, herbal treatments, and surgery. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about BPH or enlarged prostates. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.