Prostate Symptoms

The majority of prostatic hyperplasia symptoms stem from urethral obstruction and gradual loss of bladder function. It's important to know that enlarged prostate symptoms rarely manifest before the age of 40. For some men, symptoms might not even occur at all.  Plus, the growth of the prostate does not always determine the severity of the condition. Some men with greatly enlarged prostate experience few problems or symptoms, for example, while others with less large prostates may experience severe obstruction, blockage and discomfort or pain.

Symptoms of enlarged prostate

• a urinary stream that starts and stops
• a weak or slow urinary stream
• continued dribbling of urine
• difficulty starting to urinate
• frequent urination (especially at night)
• incomplete emptying of the bladder
• straining to urinate
• urgency to urinate
• urinating again minutes after finishing

During severe cases of enlarged prostate, acute urinary retention can occur. Acute urinary retention is the inability to urinate. Retention of urine can come on slowly with a progressively worsening stream and lead to eventual overflow incontinence. Acute urinary retention can result in men with enlarged prostates as a result of holding urine in for a long period of time, cold weather, alcohol consumption, a long period of inactivity, or as a reaction to certain types of medicines (allergy meds, decongestants or antihistamines, and some prescription drugs ). The acute (sudden) inability to pass urine is painful and will require medical advice.

When to seek help
Not talking about prostate enlargement could lead to more significant problems. So, it's recommended that you consult a doctor if you experience any bothersome symptoms. Contact a doctor urgently if you experience any of the following:

• blood in the urine
• inability to pass urine (retention)
• severe difficulty passing urine
• suspected kidney impairment
• urinary incontinence
• urinary tract infection

While an enlarged prostate frequently accompanies the aging process, there's no need to put up with bothersome symptoms. The first step in seeking relief is talking to your doctor. It is important that doctor correctly diagnose the issue. To learn more about the tests and procedure doctors use to diagnose enlarged prostate, read the Diagnosing Enlarged Prostate section that follows.