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Benign Prostate Problems

Types of non-cancerous prostate problems:

There are clinical conditions of the prostate gland that are not cancer, including the following:

  • prostatism - any condition of the prostate that causes interference with the flow of urine from the bladder.

  • prostatitis - an inflamed condition of the prostate gland that may be accompanied by discomfort, pain, frequent or infrequent urination, and, sometimes, fever.

  • prostatalgia - pain in the prostate gland.

  • benign prostatic hyperplasia (Also called BPH or benign prostatic hypertrophy.) - a specific term that defines the condition of an enlarged prostate. BPH is the most common non-cancerous prostate problem. It can cause discomfort and problems urinating. Although it is not cancer, BPH symptoms are often similar to those of prostate cancer.

  • impotence (Also called erectile dysfunction.) - the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.

  • urinary incontinence - the loss of bladder control.

These problems are quite common and may happen to men of all ages.

Online Medical Reviewer: Sylvia Byrd, RN, BSN, MBA
Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith, RN, MSN, FNP, CCRC
Last Annual Review Date: 9/30/2008