Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) — Symptoms

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that compresses the urethra, causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). It affects over 50% of men over 60 and 90% over 85, making it one of the most common conditions in ageing men.

Symptoms

Nocturia — waking 2 or more times per night to urinate
Weak or intermittent urine stream — reduced flow, straining
Urgency — sudden, difficult-to-defer urge to urinate
Frequency — urinating more than every 2 hours during the day
Incomplete emptying — sensation of residual urine
Post-void dribbling — leakage after urination

Treatment options

💊 Medications (first line)

Alpha-blockers (tamsulosin, alfuzosin) relax the bladder neck. 5α-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) shrink the prostate. Effective for mild-moderate symptoms but require lifelong use.

🩸 Prostate artery embolization (PAE)

Minimally invasive alternative to surgery. Local anaesthesia. Outpatient. Ejaculation preserved. 80–85% IPSS improvement. Covered by French health insurance.

🏥 TURP (surgical gold standard)

Transurethral resection of the prostate. Highly effective (90–95% IPSS improvement) but requires general anaesthesia, hospitalisation, and causes retrograde ejaculation in 60–90%.

📊 IPSS score

International Prostate Symptom Score — rates symptom severity on a scale of 0–35. Score ≥8 indicates treatment consideration. Calculate your IPSS →

Frequently asked questions

Frequent urination, a weak or interrupted stream, difficulty starting urination, a sense of incomplete emptying, and getting up at night to urinate (nocturia).

If these symptoms affect your quality of life or sleep, or if you experience acute urinary retention or blood in the urine, which require prompt evaluation.

Yes, for many men with a confirmed diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate artery embolization is an effective, minimally invasive option.

→ Prostate embolization Prostate embolization centre → The technique in detail → Results and effectiveness → Embolization vs surgery (TURP) →

🇫🇷 French version: hyperplasie-benigne-prostate.html

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) — Symptoms & Treatments