Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

The prostate is a gland the size of a chestnut. It is only present in men, and it is situated under the bladder surrounding the urethra, the passageway that takes the urine to the outside.

With age, the gland may begin to grow - this happens to most men. The growth may eventually cause problems with urination, because the gland pinches off the urethra as it increases its size. As the prostate gland stretches it distorts the urethra obstructing the urine flow. The growth in itself is harmless and so the condition is called benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and occurs most often in men over the age of 50.

Symptoms include:

• A weak or interrupted urinary stream.
• Difficulty starting the urine flow, even when the bladder feels full.
• A feeling the bladder is not completely empty.
• Increased need to urinate in the night is usually a very early symptom.
• A need to urinate right away. Some men may experience involuntary discharge of urine.
• Dribbling of urine after urination.
• Burning sensation or pain during urination.

Different men get different symptoms - the symptoms may also vary with each individual throughout the course of the disease. It is important to emphasize that the above symptoms do not necessarily prove that the prostate is enlarged. Other diseases may cause similar symptoms. Men with problems urinating should always see their doctor.