Prostate enlargement occurs in most men naturally as they age, and it is so prevalent that many doctors say it will appear in all men if they live long enough. As a statistical point, Medline Plus notes that some level of enlargement is present in many men older than 40 and 80 percent of men older than 80. The causes of prostate enlargement are varied, but understanding them can make enlargement a less threatening experience.
Normally Functioning Testes
Men who have their testicles removed because of an accident or surgery do not experience prostate enlargement as they age, according to The New York Times' Health Guide website. Medline Plus goes on to report that the only universally agreed upon risk factor for prostate enlargement is normally functioning testicles. Testicular health does not have a straight correlation with the level of potential prostate enlargement, but removal of testes has been linked to shrinkage in prostate size.
Male Hormonal Changes
A number of male hormones, also known as androgens, have been linked to prostate growth. These include testosterone, which is produced only in the testes, and dihydrotestosterone, which is what the prostate gland converts testosterone into as a regular course of action.
DHT is linked with cell growth in the prostate, according to Health Guide, making a rise in DHT a hormonal change that can cause prostate enlargement. For this reason, Patient UK notes that medications such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors that limit DHT may reduce prostate growth and size.
Rising Estrogen Levels
Estrogen levels on the rise in male bodies have been tentatively linked to enlarged prostate glands, according to Health Guide. This shift in estrogen levels can trigger additional cell growth cues, causing prostate enlargement.
Late-Blooming Growth Cells
According to research from the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, cell growth instruction coded into cells early in life can become active later in life. Though it is not clear to scientists why this occurs, this natural growth progression is a cause of prostate enlargement.
