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This post was written based on an appearance by Scott Palmer, MD, PPG – Urology, on the program PBS Healthline.
The prostate is a small gland that sits right below the bladder and helps to create semen. As men age, it’s common for the prostate to get bigger, change shape or lose muscle tone. Due to its proximity to the bladder, these changes to the prostate can sometimes lead to urination issues that can feel disruptive.
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate
This enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH can also refer to a change in shape or tone of the prostate. Symptoms of BPH can include:
- Frequent or urgent need to pee
- Peeing more often at night
- Trouble starting to pee
- Weak urine stream, or a stream that stops and starts
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Not being able to fully empty the bladder
Treatments for BPH
There are a few different treatment options including medicines and surgical options. Deciding which treatment is right for you will come down to the size of your prostate and your personal preference. Men should talk with their doctors to decide the right course of treatment.
Often medicines are first prescribed to see if they have a positive effect. One option is Alpha blockers like Flomax® or tamsulosin, which work by relaxing the muscle tone of the prostate. These drugs can increase urination flow and help with emptying. Another class of drugs prescribed can slowly shrink the prostate over time.
There are also surgical treatments available including the insertion of clips to open up the middle of the prostate to help with urination, or a procedure often called the “Roto-Rooter treatment.” This nickname refers to a TURP procedure, which is an acronym for transurethral resection of the prostate, which removes parts of the prostate that are bulging and putting pressure on the bladder or urethra. A TURP procedure is non-invasive and is done via a scope through the urethra.
There are so many herbal supplements on the market advertising to help with urination and prostate health including saw palmetto. While these supplements are safe to try, there is no clinical evidence that they affect BPH.
The risks of ignoring symptoms
If your prostate is putting pressure on your bladder and it goes untreated there is a risk of your bladder becoming unstable, which can lead to a lot of urgency around urination. This could also lead to permanent bladder damage. Additionally, as the bladder becomes more damaged over time, it could transmit to your kidneys and even start doing damage to them as well.
Talk with your doctor
If you’re experiencing difficulty urinating, share those concerns with your primary care provider, even if they don’t bother you. They may recommend that you see a urologist. To make an appointment with one of our urologists, please call 260-425-5400.
