Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland due to hypertrophic glands, causing blockage of urine flow. This disorder is common in men aged older than 50 years, tends to be slowly progressing, and leads to significant disability. It is characterized by urinary dysfunction (frequency, urgency, nocturia, incomplete emptying, and incontinence) and disruption in urinary stream (hesitancy, intermittent flow, dribbling of urine). This spectrum of symptoms is categorized as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Severity of symptoms can be determined by use of the American Urological Association Symptom Index, which can help guide management. Potential risk factors for the development of BPH include elevated protein-specific antigen (PSA) and obesity. BPH is not a known risk factor for prostate cancer.

Management includes modifications in routine (limiting fluids at bedtime, caffeine intake, and diuretics) and medications. BPH can cause acute urinary retention, which requires catheterization. Patients with poor results may seek surgical treatment such as prostatic urethral lift, transurethral resection of the prostate, transurethral incision of the prostate, or prostate laser surgery.