Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, affects about half of men between the ages of 51 and 60. BPH isn’t the same as prostate cancer, and this condition doesn’t always cause symptoms at first. But as BPH progresses, it can make it difficult to start urinating or fully empty your bladder and significantly affect your quality of life.
At Advanced Southern Westchester Medical in Yonkers, New York, urologist Sherif S. El-Masry, MD, provides complete care for BPH. In this post, we describe five warning signs of advanced BPH that mean it’s time to schedule an appointment.
Remember when you could sleep through the night without having to get up to use the bathroom? For many men, that changes with age, and one of the first signs of advanced BPH is frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia.
While many men experience the urge to urinate as they get older, if it happens every night, it can leave you groggy and affect your focus during the day. You may be able to prevent some bathroom trips by cutting off all fluids at least three hours before turning in for the night, but if frequent urination persists, don’t ignore it. Get evaluated by Dr. El-Masry.
When your prostate gland is enlarged, it makes it difficult for urine to leave your bladder. This can lead to a variety of symptoms. For example, you might notice that it’s difficult to start urinating or that you stop mid-stream, even when you have to go. Some men experience a noticeable decrease in the force of their urine stream altogether.
Either way, these symptoms often indicate a prostate issue, and waiting too long for treatment can increase the risk of complications, like urine retention or a urinary tract infection (UTI).
As BPH advances, an enlarged prostate places excess pressure on your bladder and urethra, triggering a sudden or urgent need to urinate. It can also squeeze your urethra (the tube that allows urine to exit the body), leading to increased urgency.
If you spend most of your time at home or within close proximity to a bathroom, this may seem like a minor annoyance. But if you travel frequently or spend a lot of time outdoors, it can keep you from the activities you enjoy.
Many men with advanced BPH say that they feel the need to urinate again, even after they just went. This can be frustrating, but it’s also a red flag that you aren’t fully emptying your bladder, a condition called urinary retention. Without treatment, retention can stretch your bladder and increase your risk of infection.
When an enlarged prostate affects your ability to urinate, urine can build up in your bladder and provide a prime environment for bacteria to thrive. Urine retention can also support the formation of minerals like calcium oxalate and uric acid, which can accumulate and form bladder stones.
While research is ongoing, several studies confirm a clear link between advanced BPH, UTIs, and bladder stones.
Advanced BPH can disrupt your sleep, affect your ability to urinate, and keep you from your favorite activities. The good news, though, is that it’s highly treatable. Don’t ignore your symptoms. Dr. El-Masry can determine the severity of your prostate enlargement and make personalized treatment recommendations.
Schedule an appointment today by calling the office at 914-375-5700.
