Various medical conditions may arise as we ago, and for many men, an enlarged prostate is one of those conditions. Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate can affect anyone with this reproductive gland. BPH occurs when the prostate, which surrounds the urethra, starts to grow larger.
Having an enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable because it can impede the smooth flow of fluid through the urethra. However, an enlarged prostate is a noncancerous condition and does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include:
- Blood in the urine
- Delayed start when trying to urinate
- Dribbling stream at the end of urination
- Frequent urination during the night
- Inability to completely empty bladder
- Pain when urinating
- Straining when trying to urinate
- Sudden and urgent need to urinate
- Inability to urinate
- Weak urine stream
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Learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of BPH in this video, featuring MultiCare urologist Douglas Sutherland.
Risk factors for an enlarged prostate
While the exact cause of an enlarged prostate is unknown, certain factors are associated with an increased risk of developing this condition:
- Being 40 and older — age in general increases the likelihood you will experience an enlarged prostate
- Having a family history of BPH
- Being diagnosed with an underlying medical condition, such as obesity, heart disease or Type 2 diabetes
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Experiencing erectile dysfunction
Diagnosing and treating an enlarged prostate
To make a diagnosis, your urologist will review your medical history and perform a physical exam, which may include a digital rectal exam to evaluate the prostate gland. Your doctor or other health care provider may also recommend other tests, including:
- Pressure-flow studies, which assess the level of pressure in your bladder during urination
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a blood test that can help detect prostate cancer
- Urinalysis, a urine test that detects infections and other disorders
We offer a range of treatments for managing an enlarged prostate. Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol and caffeine, consuming fluids slowly, exercising regularly and minimizing stress.
If more aggressive treatment is needed, your provider may recommend medications, surgical procedures or Rezum water vapor therapy, which involves injecting steam into the prostate to remove tissue blocking the urethra.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your provider may initially choose to monitor the progression of your condition. Some patients require multiple courses of treatment to effectively manage symptoms.