Can Enlarged Prostate Cause Inguinal Hernia?

While it is common for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, to also develop inguinal hernias, the relationship between the two conditions is not one of direct causation. A recent study has shown that although both BPH and inguinal hernias are more prevalent in the aging male population, there is no statistically significant association between the two.

The Relationship Between BPH and Inguinal Hernias

The study, which examined a large cohort of men in Taiwan, found that men with LUTS-BPH (lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH) had a two-fold increased risk of developing an inguinal hernia compared to men without LUTS-BPH. However, the researchers concluded that the co-occurrence of the two conditions is more a matter of chance rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

The proposed mechanism by which BPH could potentially contribute to inguinal hernia development is through the increased abdominal strain and pressure caused by the enlarged prostate. As men with BPH often strain to urinate due to the obstruction caused by the enlarged gland, this chronic strain on the abdominal muscles and connective tissue may weaken the inguinal canal over time, leading to the formation of a hernia.

Despite this plausible biological explanation, the study findings suggest that the relationship between BPH and inguinal hernias is complex and not as straightforward as a direct causal link. Other factors, such as age-related weakening of the abdominal wall, likely play a more significant role in the development of inguinal hernias in men with BPH.