Malabsorption means the intestine isn’t absorbing nutrients from food as it should. When this happens, vitamins and minerals aren’t taken up in adequate amounts, so vitamin deficiencies develop. This is the most direct and common consequence, especially for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K when fat absorption is impaired, and for B12 and folate as well. Deficiencies can lead to a range of issues such as night blindness or eye problems (A), bone weakness or deformities (D), easy bruising or bleeding (K), and anemia or neuropathy (B12/folate). Weight gain or increased appetite aren’t typical outcomes of malabsorption, and hyperglycemia isn’t a direct result.

Finasteride and dutasteride work by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT drives prostate growth, so lowering DHT gradually reduces prostate size over several months. This slower, long-term effect is why they’re used to shrink the gland and help with BPH symptoms over time rather than providing immediate relief. They may be used alone or with alpha-blockers to improve outcomes and can reduce the need for surgical intervention. A well-known long-term side effect is hormonal changes that can affect sexual function and breast tissue. Patients may experience decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and breast tenderness or gynecomastia. These reflect the hormonal shifts from reduced DHT and are the reason this class of medications is associated with sexual and breast-related side effects.

Malnutrition means not getting enough nutrients to meet the body's needs, so the body starts breaking down its stores and losing mass. The most direct and reliable clue among the options is weight loss, because it shows an energy and protein deficit happening over time. Fatigue and hair loss can occur with malnutrition, but they are nonspecific and can result from many other causes. Weight gain does not signal malnutrition and can reflect adequate or excessive intake or fluid shifts. So, weight loss is the symptom best indicating malnutrition.

Relieving the blockage from benign prostatic hyperplasia is achieved by removing or reducing the tissue pressing on the urethra. The classic approach is transurethral resection of the prostate, done endoscopically through the urethra. A resectoscope is inserted into the bladder and prostate, and portions of the enlarged tissue are removed from the inner zone around the urethra. This direct debulking widens the channel, allowing urine to flow more freely. Because there are no external incisions, recovery is typically straightforward, and the procedure often provides rapid and durable relief of obstructive symptoms. Radical prostatectomy is a cancer operation that removes the entire prostate, which is far more invasive than needed for BPH. Urethral dilation offers only temporary relief and may not address the underlying tissue growth, so symptoms frequently recur. Laser enucleation of the prostate is another effective option and is used in many centers, especially for larger glands or patients with bleeding risks, but TURP has long been the standard and remains the most commonly performed surgical treatment for obstructive BPH.