Enlarged Prostate

Eight out of 10 men will eventually develop an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). A natural result of getting older, the prostate could grow to be about the size of an apricot by age 40, or the size of a lemon by age 60. The larger the prostate becomes, the more likely that it will squeeze the urethra and make it difficult to pass urine. Symptoms can include:

• Trouble passing urine
• Week or slow urine stream
• Stopping and starting again several times while passing urine
• Passing urine often, especially at night
• Feeling the bladder has not fully emptied
• Strong, sudden urges to pass urine
• Pushing or straining to begin passing urine

If not treated, BPH can lead to serious health problems, such as kidney or bladder damage. Therefore, it’s important to see you doctor at the first sign of symptoms. Often, treatment may be as simple as making a few lifestyle changes. Other cases may require medication or surgery.