Prostate Gland Non-Cancerous Conditions

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Because the urethra runs directly through the prostate, enlargement of the prostate in BPH squeezes the urethra, making it difficult and often painful for men to urinate. For most men, an enlarged prostate gland is a typical part of the aging process.

Prostatitis, an infection in the prostate, is the most common cause of urinary tract infections in men. Most treatment strategies are designed to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis, which include fever, chills, burning during urination, or difficulty urinating.

Prostate cancer affects one in six men, and the older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with this disease. Although only 1 in 10,000 men under the age of 40 will be diagnosed, the rate skyrockets to 1 in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 15 for ages 60 to 69.