The prostate is the small, walnut-sized gland in men that produces most of the fluids in semen. It ' s located in the pelvis, below the bladder and in front of the rectum and surrounds the upper part of the urethra.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the abnormal growth of benign prostate cells. Benign tumors of the prostate are not a threat to life.

BPH causes the prostate to grow larger and press against the urethra and bladder, interfering with the normal flow of urine.

More than half of the men in the United States between the ages of 60 and 70 have symptoms of BPH. For some men, the symptoms may be severe enough to require treatment.