What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?
The cause of an
enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or
BPH) is not well understood. No definite information about risk factors for this condition exists. For centuries, it has been known that an enlarged prostate occurs mainly in older men and that it doesn't develop in men whose testes were removed before puberty. For this reason, some researchers believe that factors related to aging and the testes may be factors in the development of this condition.
Hormones as a Possible Enlarged Prostate Causes
Throughout their lives, men produce both testosterone (an important male hormone) and small amounts of estrogen (a female hormone). As men age, the amount of active testosterone in the blood decreases, leaving a higher proportion of estrogen. Studies done with animals have suggested that an enlarged prostate may occur because the higher amount of estrogen within the gland increases the activity of substances that promote cell growth.
Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance derived from testosterone in the prostate, which may help control its growth. Most animals lose their ability to produce DHT as they age. However, some research has indicated that even with a drop in the blood's testosterone level, older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT in the prostate. This accumulation of DHT may encourage the growth of cells. Scientists have also noted that men who do not produce DHT do not develop BPH.
