Enlarged prostate
Overview
An enlarged prostate (sometimes called benign prostate enlargement) is when your prostate gets bigger. It's common and is not usually serious, but there are treatments that can help if you need them.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of an enlarged prostate are problems with peeing, such as: difficulty starting to pee, or having to push or strain to peea weak flow of pee, stopping and starting, and taking longer than usual to empty your bladderfeeling like you cannot fully empty your bladderdribbling pee after you finish peeingneeding to pee more often or urgently, including getting up to pee during the night The symptoms usually develop slowly, and may gradually get worse as you get older. There are things you can do that may help with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. cut down on alcohol and caffeine, as they can make you pee more cut down on alcohol and caffeine, as they can make you pee more reduce how much fluid you drink before bed or before going out – but make sure you drink enough during the rest of the day reduce how much fluid you drink before bed or before going out – but make sure you drink enough during the rest of the day make sure you eat enough fibre to help preventconstipation, which can put pressure on your bladder make sure you eat enough fibre to help preventconstipation, which can put pressure on your bladder keep to ahealthy weight, as being overweight can make symptoms worse keep to ahealthy weight, as being overweight can make symptoms worse wait a few moments after you pee and then try peeing again, to help you empty your bladder wait a few moments after you pee and then try peeing again, to help you empty your bladder try putting your fingertips 3 finger widths behind your scrotum after you finish peeing, and gently pressing while moving your fingers forwards and upwards towards the base of your penis, to help push the last few drops out try putting your fingertips 3 finger widths behind your scrotum after you finish peeing, and gently pressing while moving your fingers forwards and upwards towards the base of your penis, to help push the last few drops out check with a doctor or pharmacist whether any medicines you take for other conditions could be making your symptoms worse check with a doctor or pharmacist whether any medicines you take for other conditions could be making your symptoms worse do not strain or push when peeing – try to relax when you pee do not strain or push when peeing – try to relax when you pee do not cut down too much on fluids, as this can cause problems such as urinary tract infections do not cut down too much on fluids, as this can cause problems such as urinary tract infections
Causes
It's thought that an enlarged prostate may be caused by changes in your hormone levels as you get older. An enlarged prostate is very common. You may be more likely to get it if you're over 50, and if others in your family have an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is not caused by prostate cancer, and does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer.
Treatment
An enlarged prostate does not always need treatment. It depends on your symptoms and how they're affecting you. If your symptoms are not causing many problems, doctors will usually recommend trying lifestyle changes first. If your symptoms get worse you may need medicines or surgery. If you have moderate or severe symptoms you may be offered medicines for an enlarged prostate, including: medicines that help you to pee, such astamsulosin,doxazosinor alfuzosinmedicines that help with needing to pee more often or more urgently, such asoxybutyninortolterodinemedicines that help stop your prostate growing, by reducing hormone levels, if you're at high risk of your condition getting worse, such asfinasterideor dutasteride These medicines can cause side effects. Your doctor will explain the benefits and possible side effects and help you decide if they are right for you. You'll have regular check-ups to see how well the medicine is working. Treatment and support is also available to help with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. This can include: products such as pads, pants or sheaths to help with leaks or dribbling peeaurinary catheter– a flexible tube that's put into your bladder to drain pee, if you cannot empty your bladderhelp with bladder training, where you try holding on for a short time when you need to pee, and gradually increase the time over a few weekspelvic floor muscle training – exercises to strengthen muscles that help control your bladder