Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition that frequently occurs in men as they age. Over 50% of men who reach the age of 65 will have developed an enlarged prostate as a result of this condition. This number increases to nearly 90% in men after the age of 80. While the condition is generally harmless, it can present with some unsettling symptoms. In the greater majority of cases, BPH is asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, they can impact your quality of life. Below we’re going to provide some tips on how to identify if you’re living with BPH.

What Signs of BPH To Look For

There are some common symptoms that appear as part of BPH. These symptoms primarily involve urinary issues but may also impact other areas of your life. The following symptoms are signs you may be living with BPH:

• Frequent Urination – When your prostate enlarges, it can apply pressure to the urethra. This tube carries semen and urine out of the body. This can result in the bladder wall becoming irritating, producing a sensation like you have to urinate. This is the result of the bladder contracting even when it only contains a small amount of urine.
• Incontinence: Various forms of incontinence can result from the prostate becoming enlarged as a result of BPH. These types of incontinence are:
  • Stress Incontinence: This urinary control issue happens from sudden pressure being applied to the bladder. This can happen as a result of laughing, coughing, exercising, sneezing, or even lifting heavy objects. 
  • Urge Incontinence: This type of incontinence occurs when there’s a sudden need to use the restroom. In some cases, this urge may be so strong that it’s impossible to reach the bathroom in time. In addition to BPH, this can be caused by multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
  • Overflow Incontinence: When small amounts of urine are issued from the bladder. This occurs because the bladder is always full. BPH is one condition that can cause urine to back up and create issues with controlling flow. Diabetes and spinal cord injuries are other known causes of this condition.
• Nocturia – This condition is when patients frequently wake during the night with the urge to urinate. BPH is one condition that can cause this condition. It can be reduced or eliminated by receiving treatment for BPH.
• Difficult Initiating Urination – One common urinary concern that men with BPH experience is difficulty beginning to urinate. This is due to the urethra becoming blocked by an enlarged prostate. This leads to urine being slowed or completely stopped when flowing out of the bladder. 

Speak To Your Prostate Specialist About BPH Symptoms

If you’re experiencing symptoms like these, it’s time to speak to your urologist or prostate specialist. They’ll discuss your symptoms with you and perform a full examination to determine the underlying cause. If BPH is found to be responsible, they’ll then develop a treatment plan with you. This treatment plan will take your desires into account, as well as the realities of your case. Together you can find a solution to conquer the symptoms of BPH.