Benign prostatic hyperplasia - Causes of prostate enlargement

The exact cause of prostate enlargement is unknown, but research suggests that hormones probably play an important role in the development of the condition.

Hormones are a group of powerful chemicals that can have a wide range of effects on the cells of the body.

One theory is that as some men get older, the levels of a type of hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increases, which may stimulate the growth of the prostate.

Another theory suggests that prostate enlargement may be due to two hormones, testosterone and oestrogen. Younger men produce high levels of testosterone and much smaller levels of oestrogen. However, as men get older, their levels of testosterone decrease, which means they then have a higher proportion of oestrogen in their body. It has been suggested that the relative increase in oestrogen may stimulate prostate growth.

Risk factors

Research has shown that rates of prostate enlargement are higher among men who have high blood pressure and diabetes. However, as both diabetes and high blood pressure are also associated with the natural ageing process, there may not be a direct connection between the three conditions.