What happens to the prostate gland as a man ages?

As men age, it is common for the prostate gland to undergo a process known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which leads to its enlargement. This natural enlargement of the prostate can occur due to hormonal changes that typically take place in aging males. Although not all men will experience symptoms related to an enlarged prostate, it can lead to urinary issues such as difficulty urinating or increased frequency of urination, particularly at night.

The other options do not accurately describe the common changes seen in the prostate with age. While the prostate may lose some function as overall testosterone levels decrease, it does not necessarily lose its function entirely. The gland does not shrink significantly; rather, it generally tends to enlarge. Finally, while testosterone production may decline with age, this is not directly the primary characteristic of prostate changes; rather, its effect is more about how hormonal balance affects prostate size. Thus, the correct answer reflects the most prominent and widely recognized change associated with the prostate as men grow older.