Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a non cancerous swelling of the prostate gland that is very common in men of middle age and later years.

Approximately 50% of men of age 50 and above suffer from BPH. The amount of testosterone men produce begins to decline from around age 30. The rate at which free testosterone is broken down into its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) also increases, and it is this build up of DHT that causes BPH.

High amounts of DHT can cause several problems for men. Not only is it linked to BPH, but it is also a common factor in normal male pattern baldness. DHT binds to hair follicles, depriving them of vital nutrients and oxygen, weakening them over time.

High levels of DHT cause BPH because the molecule binds to prostate cells and causes them to divide more quickly than normal. Over time the prostate gland grows in size and pinches on the urethra, causing difficulty and discomfort during urination.

As men get older they become increasingly susceptible to BPH. Studies have shown that as many as 75% of men over the age of 80 have some problems due to an enlarged prostate gland.

Although BPH itself is not malignant and responds well to treatment, it is thought that men who suffer with this complaint are at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer - the most deadly and common of cancers affecting only men.

All men over the age of 40 should be occasionally screened for prostate cancer, but if you suffer from BPH then it is advisable to be checked for prostate cancer more regularly. Prostate cancer responds well to treatment if it is detected early but does not often show any symptoms until it is quite well advanced.

There are several prescription medications and herbal prostate formulae that can ease the symptoms of BPH and reduce the swelling of an enlarged prostate. An herbal prostate formula will usually contain a high dose of saw palmetto extract, which has been shown to inhibit DHT binding to prostate cells and eliminate excess DHT from the body more quickly. Other common ingredients of prostate formulae include stinging-nettle root extract and pumpkin seed extract.

Taking the herb Tribulus terrestris as a dietary supplement can also help to maintain testosterone levels - especially in older men. The herb is usually sold in extract form and is available from health food stores and online.