Risk Factors
There are four known risk factors that may predispose a man to develop BPH, commonly
reffered to as enlarged prostate:
Aging – is the primary risk factor. While men younger
than 40 are rarely affected, approximately half of the men in their 60s experience
some symptoms of BPH.
Heredity – a family history of BPH may increase your
risk of developing the condition.
Marital status – It is not known why, but men who
are married are more likely to develop BPH.
Nationality – BPH is more common in American and European
men than in Asian men.
Additionally, there are four theories as to what may cause BPH:
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1
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BPH does not occur in men who had their testes removed before puberty. It is believed
that BPH may be triggered by factors related to the aging of the testes. |
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2
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Healthy males produce testosterone (a male hormone) and a small amount of estrogen
(a female hormone). As men age, they naturally produce less testosterone, which
changes the balance in the body between the two hormones. Some animal studies suggest
that a higher proportion of estrogen may increase the activity of other substances
within the body that promote BPH. |
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3
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Males naturally turn testosterone into a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Research shows that older men continue to produce large amounts of DHT. DHT which
may promote growth of the prostate. |
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4
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Some scientists believe that certain cells in the prostate are programmed to "reawaken"
later in life. As these cells begin to multiply and become more active, they may
trigger growth in other cells found in the prostate. |