Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in Korea

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects many aging men in Korea. With a rapidly aging population, Korean clinics offer a range of modern treatments—from medications to advanced laser surgery—to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Prevalence & Symptoms in Korea

• BPH affects approximately 21% of Korean men aged 50 and above.
• The condition becomes more common with age:
• Around 11% in their 50s
• 18% in their 60s
• Over 30% in their 70s
• More than 50% in their 80s
• About 37% of men over 50 experience moderate to severe urinary symptoms.

Common Treatments

• Medication is the first-line approach for most patients.
• Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin are the most widely prescribed.
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g., dutasteride, finasteride) are used for enlarged prostates.
• Combination therapy (alpha-blocker + 5ARI or bladder relaxants) is increasingly popular.
• Mirabegron, a newer medication for overactive bladder symptoms, is also gaining usage.

Surgical Trends

• Surgery is considered when medications fail or symptoms are severe.
• TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) remains common but is gradually declining.
• HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) is increasingly preferred due to less bleeding, faster recovery, and suitability for larger prostates.
• Other minimally invasive options, such as microwave therapy or prostate artery embolization, are less commonly performed but may be available in select hospitals.

Korean Guidelines

• Korean urology guidelines recommend:
• Use of symptom scoring systems (e.g., IPSS).
• Starting with alpha-blockers for mild to moderate cases.
• Using 5ARIs for significantly enlarged prostates.
• Combination therapy for more complex cases.
• Surgery or laser procedures if medication fails or the prostate is very large.

Key Highlights

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) becomes increasingly prevalent with age. As a first-line treatment, alpha-blockers are most commonly prescribed to manage symptoms. For more advanced cases, laser procedures such as HoLEP are gaining popularity over traditional TURP due to their effectiveness and reduced recovery time. In Korea, physicians follow structured treatment guidelines that are tailored to each patient's prostate size and symptom severity, ensuring personalized and evidence-based care.