An Enlarged Prostate: Signs and Symptoms

Getting up several times to urinate throughout the night, could be a symptom of benign prostate hyperplasia. Which is also known as an enlarged prostate.

An enlarged prostate? What does that mean?

Well, before we get into that, let’s take a look at exactly what the prostate is.

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system.

It is responsible for aiding in the production of fluid that carries sperm from the testicles and helps to push semen through the urethra during ejaculation.

The prostate is located below the bladder, in front of the rectum,  and surrounds part of the urethra.

Typically the prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut, however, as a man ages, the prostate can become larger.

Though it is normal for the prostate to grow, sometimes this growth can be problematic and become Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate.

BPH occurs when the prostate grows large enough that it begins to pinch the urethra, causing troubling symptoms such as:

• a weak flow when you urinate
• a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• difficulty starting to urinate
• dribbling urine after you finish urinating
• needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• a sudden urge to urinate

The prostate’s squeezing of the urethra also causes the bladder to have to work even harder to pass urine. This over time, can cause the bladder muscles to become weak, making it harder for it to be emptied. This can also lead to:

• Feeling like you still have to pee even after you just went
• Having to go too often — eight or more times a day
• Incontinence (when you don’t have control over when you pee)
• An urgent need to pee, all of a sudden
• You wake up several times a night to pee
• Urinary tract infections, bleeding, bladder damage, and bladder stones

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be dealing with the effects of an enlarged prostate and, you are not alone.

The urinary issues related to prostate size are so common, that on average about 8 out of 10 men will eventually experience it.

Though men with an enlarged prostate might not experience every one of the symptoms listed above, and the severity may vary, it’s still important to make an appointment with your doctor to identify or rule out any underlying causes.

If left untreated, urinary problems, especially those caused by an enlarged prostate, could lead to more serious problems such as frequent UTIs, an obstruction of the urinary tract, and serious bladder or kidney damage.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, it’s important to schedule a visit with your doctor.

If treatment is necessary, your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment for you. This could mean taking prescribed medication, or it could mean making some lifestyle changes to help control BPH symptoms.

If the symptoms are particularly bothersome, your doctor may recommend that the prostate be treated directly through surgery or a non-invasive procedure such as Prostatic Artery Embolization– which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Prostate Artery Embolization, or schedule a visit to find out if this treatment could benefit you, please do not hesitate to call us at 301-622-5360 to set up a consultation.