Kate Middleton isn’t the only British royal seeking hospital treatment. Last week, shortly after it was revealed that his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales will be hospitalized for up to two weeks after undergoing a planned abdominal surgery, a statement from Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III is also set to receive medical care to treat an enlarged prostate, a health condition that the statement noted is “common with thousands of men” each year.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure,” the palace statement continued. “The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
On Friday, royal officials confirmed that the 75-year-old monarch had been admitted to a London hospital — which, the Associated Press reports, is the same one where his Kate is recovering from her own surgery — for his scheduled treatment. The latest palace statement also noted the surge in online searches around prostate care following the king’s health announcement, and shared his pleasure at “having a positive impact on public health awareness.” It is unclear at this time how long the king will remain at the London Clinic.
So, what is an enlarged prostate and just how common is it? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a prostate? What problems can it cause?
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is a small, walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its main function is to produce a fluid that, along with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, makes up semen.
Yet while the prostate has an important role, Dr. Mitchell R. Humphreys, the chair of the department of urology at the Mayo Clinic, tells Yahoo Life that, outside of reproduction, the gland “only causes challenges.” The two main difficulties are prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer for men, and prostate enlargement, the latter of which King Charles is currently dealing with. By age 60, nearly half of all men will have the condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and that number jumps to 90% by age 85, per Harvard Health Publishing.
What issues can an enlarged prostate cause?
Though the primary function of the prostate is related to reproduction, its position can impact the urinary system. As men age, the prostate continues to grow, which can potentially squeeze the urethra. This leads to symptoms such as:
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Difficulty starting or stopping urination
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A weak stream
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The need to urinate more frequently
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Getting up often in the middle of the night to use the bathroom
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“Dribbling” at the end of urinating
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Incomplete emptying of the bladder
According to Humphreys, BPH becomes a problem when the prostate becomes so enlarged that it blocks the urine completely so you can’t pee, or you develop stones or an infection in the bladder. Not urinating properly is also bad news for your kidneys, which are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood to create urine. If urine doesn’t flow properly, the kidneys may struggle to perform this essential function, resulting in damage to the organ. The prostate may also bleed when it becomes enlarged, says Humphreys.
Humphreys notes that it’s important to recognize the symptoms of an enlarged prostate before it gets to be too late. While the bladder will initially get stronger to overcome the obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate, at some point, he warns, it “is going to give up” and “won’t be able to squeeze the urine past the obstruction of the prostate.” That’s when medical intervention is needed to alleviate or remove that prostate obstruction.
How do you treat an enlarged prostate?
Humphreys says there are two major ways to address an enlarged prostate. The first is through medication, which he says is generally well tolerated but doesn’t always solve the problem.
Oftentimes, surgical intervention is necessary. Historically, Humphreys says patients would undergo a transurethral resection of the prostate, called a TURP, but advancements in laser technologies have made things like holmium laser prostate surgery, also known as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), more popular. HoLEP involves the use of a laser to precisely remove excess prostate tissue. It’s popular, Humphreys says, because it is minimally invasive.
“Most of our patients go home the same day as surgery, and they’re back to their normal activity in two weeks, as well as having minimal risk of blood loss,” he explains. “Men do very well with that particular surgery.”
Having an enlarged prostate is a common situation, especially for older men. However, it’s important to understand what may be happening, in order to avoid any complications.
“A lot of times men think that as they get older, they just pee worse because it’s a normal part of aging,” Humphreys explains. “Men need to have some awareness that these symptoms may be related to BPH, and have it checked out.”
This article was originally published on Jan. 17, 2024 and has been updated.
Gary Rose is a lifestyle connoisseur who celebrates the art of living well. She explores topics ranging from travel and fashion to home decor and culinary delights. Gary’s passion for aesthetics extends to her hobbies, which include photography and interior design.
