Getting older brings changes, but that does not mean every change should simply be accepted as part of aging.
For many men, urinary changes begin gradually. Maybe you are getting up once during the night to use the bathroom, then twice. Perhaps it takes longer to start urinating, your stream is not as strong as it once was, or you find yourself looking for the restroom more often when you are away from home.
These symptoms can be easy to dismiss. However, they may be signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly known as BPH or an enlarged prostate.
BPH is not prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. It is, however, the most common prostate problem among men over age 50. As the prostate enlarges, it can press against the urethra and interfere with the normal flow of urine.
7 Urinary Changes Worth Paying Attention To
BPH does not affect every man in exactly the same way. Some men experience relatively minor changes, while others develop symptoms that begin interfering with sleep and everyday activities.
Common symptoms can include:
- Urinating more frequently. You may notice that trips to the bathroom are becoming more common throughout the day.
- Waking repeatedly at night. Getting out of bed several times to urinate can interfere with getting a full night’s sleep.
- Difficulty starting urination. You may feel the urge to go but have trouble getting the urine stream started.
- A weak or interrupted stream. Urine flow may be slower than it used to be or repeatedly start and stop.
- Dribbling after urination. Some men notice continued dripping even after they believe they have finished.
- Sudden urgency. The need to urinate can become difficult to postpone.
- Feeling that your bladder is not empty. Even after using the bathroom, you may still feel as though you need to go.
Why You Shouldn’t Diagnose BPH Yourself
Urinary symptoms do not automatically mean you have an enlarged prostate.
Other conditions can produce urinary problems, which is one reason an evaluation is important. A urologist can consider your symptoms, medical history, and other factors and determine whether additional testing is appropriate.
Depending on the individual, an evaluation for prostate or urinary problems may include a physical examination, urine or blood testing, assessment of urine flow, ultrasound or other diagnostic testing.
There are also symptoms that require more immediate attention. The National Institutes of Health advises seeking medical help right away if you are unable to urinate at all. Blood in the urine, painful urination accompanied by fever and chills, or significant lower abdominal or urinary tract pain also warrant prompt medical attention.
BPH Treatment Is Not One Size Fits All
Being diagnosed with BPH does not automatically mean having a procedure.
Depending on the severity of symptoms and how much they are affecting your life, treatment may include monitoring, lifestyle changes, medication, or a medical procedure.
When symptoms become more significant or other approaches are not providing enough relief, a urologist can discuss procedural options.
Texas Urological Clinic offers Aquablation therapy, a procedure that uses real-time imaging, robotic technology, and a heat-free water jet to remove targeted prostate tissue. The procedure is performed under anesthesia in a hospital.
The appropriate BPH treatment depends on the individual, which is why the first step is understanding what is causing your symptoms.
If your bathroom habits have changed, your sleep is being interrupted, or urinary symptoms are beginning to dictate your daily routine, consider talking with Texas Urological Clinic. Getting older may be inevitable. Living around urinary symptoms does not necessarily have to be.
Key Points
BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate and becomes more common with age. Frequent urination, nighttime bathroom trips, weak urine flow, urgency and difficulty emptying the bladder can be signs of BPH. Because other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms, proper evaluation is important. Treatment can range from monitoring and medication to procedures such as Aquablation, depending on the individual.
Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health, “Prostate Problems”; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, “Enlarged Prostate (BPH).” Medical information has been summarized and adapted for patient education. Individual symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations may vary.
NIDDK Prostate Problems
MedlinePlus Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
Texas Urological Clinic Aquablation Therapy
