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

TopicInsightPopulationBPH prevalence increases significantly with age.First-line careAlpha-blockers are most commonly used.Advanced careLaser surgery (HoLEP) is rising in popularity over traditional TURP.Guideline-based careKorean doctors follow structured treatment guidelines tailored to prostate size and symptom severity.