PrintRisk Factor for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Enlarged Prostate
BPH is a condition of aging. Most men over the age of 50 have an enlarged prostate.
Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Enlarged Prostate
The cause for benign prostatic hyperplasia is unknown. It is possible that the condition is associated with hormonal changes that occur as men age. The testes produce the hormone testosterone, which is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (estrogen) in certain tissues. High levels of dihydrotestosterone, a testosterone derivative involved in prostate growth, may accumulate and cause hyperplasia. How and why levels of DHT increase remains a subject of research.
