5 signs of an enlarged prostate and how to treat it

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate typically affects men over the age of 40, and more commonly occurs as men age. Although it’s non-cancerous, men who suffer from an enlarged prostate may have trouble urinating, along with other urinary symptoms that affect overall quality of life. How can you tell if you have an enlarged prostate? Here’s what to look for…

1. Frequent urination
   One of the most common signs of an enlarged prostate is recurrent trips to the bathroom. This is largely because you still have leftover urine in your bladder because you’re not able to fully empty it.
2. Hesitancy
   Another staple of BPH is hesitancy. This means that you feel the need to urinate, but when you do, you have trouble starting the process. It could be that you even start and stop a few times.
3. Straining to urinate
   You may notice that you’re having to strain to go to the bathroom as pressure on your urethra increases. For some, it can be painful to urinate, and you may notice you have a weak stream.
4. Incontinence
   From time to time, you might notice a small dribble that you have a hard time controlling. It could feel as though you are leaking out urine because of the pressure on your urethra. This is common for men who suffer from an enlarged prostate.
5. Nocturia
   Do you notice that you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom? While all of us may need to go if we’ve had a lot to drink the night before, if you notice a pattern of waking up – regardless of the amount of fluid you’ve had, this could be a sign of nocturia which can occur because as a result of an enlarged prostate.

Visit Methodist Healthcare online to learn more about the urology treatment options we provide, or call (210) 575-0355.

What can I do to treat my enlarged prostate?

If you identify with any of the symptoms above, there are several treatment options available to you that could help relieve your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. There are medications available to help improve urinary flow, as well as minimally invasive procedures like transurethral ultrasound ablation treatment and Aquablation therapy.