Prostate enlargement
Symptoms of benign prostate enlargement
The symptoms of benign prostate enlargement are caused by the enlarged prostate placing pressure on the bladder and urethra (which carries urine from the bladder to the penis).
This can affect urination in a number of ways. For example, it can:
- make it difficult for you to start urinating
- weaken theflow of urine or cause "stopping and starting"
- cause you to strain to pass urine
- cause you to need to urinatefrequently
- cause you to wake up frequently during the night to urinate
- cause a sudden urge to urinate, which can result in Urinary incontinence if you can't find a toilet quickly enough
- cause you to not be able to empty your bladder fully
- cause blood in the urine (haematuria)
In the later stages, benign prostate enlargement can cause urine retention and other complications such as bladder stones , bladder infections and kidney damage.
When to seek medical advice
Seeyour GP if you notice any problems with, or changes to,your usual pattern of urination. Even if the symptoms are mild, they could be caused by a condition that needs to be investigated.
Anyblood in the urine must be investigated by your GP to rule out other more serious conditions.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 4 Jan 2017
Introduction
Read about benign prostate enlargement (BPE), also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a common condition that affects men over 50 years of age.
Symptoms of benign prostate enlargement
The symptoms of benign prostate enlargement are caused by the enlarged prostate placing pressure on the bladder and urethra (which carries urine from the bladder to the penis).
Causes of benign prostate enlargement
The exact cause of benign prostate enlargement is unknown, but research suggests that hormones probably play an important role in the condition's development.
Diagnosing benign prostate enlargement
To find out whether your prostate gland is enlarged, you'll need to have a few tests. Some tests will be carried out by your GP and others will be carried out by a urologist.
Treatment
If you have an enlarged prostate, your recommended treatment plan will be determined by how severe your symptoms are.
Complications of prostate enlargement
Benign prostate enlargement can sometimes lead to complications, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or acute urinary retention (AUR).
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