Prostate health probably isn’t one of your favorite things to talk about. But as you get older, it becomes a must-have conversation. Benign prostatic hyperplasia — also known as an enlarged prostate — is one of the most common issues affecting men over 40.
It’s not cancerous, but it can be a real pain, literally and figuratively.
Catching it early makes all the difference, and Dr. Philip Weintraub and our team at Urology Associates Medical Group want to make sure you do.
The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut that sits just below the bladder, and it surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Its main job is to produce some of the fluid in semen.
As you age, it’s normal for your prostate to grow, but sometimes, it grows too much and starts pressing on the urethra, which can affect urination.
The tricky part about an enlarged prostate is that symptoms typically start slowly, and many men chalk them up to just getting older. But the sooner you recognize what’s going on, the sooner you can get relief.
Keep an eye out for these common early signs.
Waking up once in a while to pee is no big deal. If you’re getting up multiple times each night, it could be a warning sign that your prostate is enlarged and making you feel like you need to go even when you don’t.
Do you feel like you’re standing there forever, waiting for the stream to start? That’s another red flag. An enlarged prostate can cause a weak flow or make it hard to get going, even when your bladder feels full.
If your stream stops and starts or seems weaker than it used to be, your prostate might be getting in the way.
You can blame that urgent “gotta go” feeling on your bladder working harder to overcome the blockage created by the enlarged prostate.
Some men describe it as a lingering pressure or a sense that something’s wrong. If you still feel full after using the bathroom, it could be a sign your bladder isn’t emptying completely, thanks to an enlarged prostate.
Researchers don’t know the exact reason the prostate enlarges, but they believe aging and changes in hormone levels, especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are to blame. Family history, obesity, and lack of exercise can also raise your risk.
The condition is incredibly common. In fact, about half of men will have an enlarged prostate by age 60.
If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs we listed above and they’re interfering with your daily life (or your sleep), it’s time to book an appointment with us.
Even mild symptoms can gradually worsen, so don’t wait until it becomes a bigger issue. Our expert medical providers run a few simple tests, like a physical exam, urine flow test, or ultrasound, to determine if an enlarged prostate is the cause of your symptoms.
Having an enlarged prostate may be disheartening, but you have more treatment options than ever. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the extent of the growth of your prostate, we may recommend:
We may recommend targeted surgical procedures for more severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments.
We get it: Talking about urinary problems isn’t exactly fun. But all it takes is a simple consultation to begin getting your health back on track.
Call 818-853-9659 to speak with one of our friendly staff members and schedule an appointment at our Burbank, California, office. Your future self (and your bladder) will thank you.
