Can Enlarged Prostate Occur in a Young Man?

Dear Dr. Motola,

What causes the prostate to enlarge in a man who is only 35 years of age? How can it be prevented?

Prostate enlargement is a function of aging- the older you are, the more likely that you are going to develop an enlarged prostate. Prostate growth is controlled by testosterone and some of its metabolic breakdown products.

35 years old is fairly young to be diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. There are several other conditions of the lower urinary tract that can mimic the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Before living the rest of your life with the label of having an enlarged prostate (and the label may be wrong), I would recommend evaluation by a urologist who will figure out what is really going on.