As our bodies age, some inevitable changes take place. For many men, one of those is an enlarged prostate. While unpleasant, having an enlarged prostate is incredibly common and benign and doesn’t increase your chances of developing prostate cancer. However, if left untreated, this condition can cause significant problems.
The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra and produces a fluid that mixes with sperm cells from the testicles to make semen. When the gland grows bigger, it is referred to as an enlarged prostate.
While a small number of men over 40 have an enlarged prostate, more than 90% of men over 80 have this condition. There are no risk factors, other than having normally functioning testicles.
So how do you know if you have an enlarged prostate? Here are 10 signs.
1. It is difficult for you to begin urinating
Because your prostate is located beneath your bladder and the tube that transports urine from your bladder out of your penis passes through the center of your prostate, an enlarged prostate can block the flow of urine, making it more difficult for you to begin a stream.
2. You feel more urgency to urinate
When your prostate pushes on your bladder, the urge to urinate comes on quickly and suddenly.
3. Your urine stream is weak and stops and starts
An enlarged prostate can squeeze your urethra, making it harder to urinate because the passage for the urine is narrower.
4. You feel as though you can’t fully empty your bladder
When your prostate becomes larger, it presses against your urethra and the bladder wall can thicken. At some point, this can cause your bladder to weaken, which means you can’t fully empty it.
5. Urinating more frequently
If your enlarged prostate pinches your urethra closed and it’s more difficult for you to empty your bladder, you’ll feel as though you must urinate more frequently.
6. You wake up multiple nights throughout the night needing to urinate
This increase in frequency can cause you to wake up two to three times (or more!) per night to urinate.
7. You develop bladder stones
Bladder stones develop when there is crystallized, concentrated urine in your bladder. Because an enlarged prostate reduces flow, urine has time to crystalize.
8. You are getting urinary tract infections (UTIs)
An enlarged prostate may make it more difficult for you to empty your bladder, leaving residual urine in your bladder. When it becomes stagnant, bacteria can multiply and cause a UTI.
9. Urinary leakage or dribbling
Constant dribbling, also known as overflow incontinence, is another consequence of an inability to fully empty your bladder.
10. You must strain or push to urinate
To overcome an obstructing prostate, your bladder may need to increase the force it exerts so you can urinate.
So, how do you know when to see your doctor?
The bottom line is, that you should see a doctor for any symptoms of an enlarged prostate no matter how mild they are. This is because the severity of the symptoms doesn’t always reflect the seriousness of the problem. The earlier your urologist can diagnose an enlarged prostate, the less invasive, most effective treatment options they will have available to prevent this condition from impacting your lifestyle.
Lastly, while these types of lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently symptoms of an enlarged prostate, they can also be signs of more serious conditions such as a prostate infection or prostate cancer, both of which are usually very treatable when caught early.
Compassionate, skilled care
The physicians and staff of Norman Urology Associates are fully committed to serving the urological needs of Norman and surrounding communities with the highest standards. Our highly-trained physicians treat any disorder of the urinary tract, including prostate enlargement, and will always treat you with compassion and as a partner in your medical care. Contact us to schedule an appointment.