Men's Health

Side Effects of Enlarged Prostate: What to Know

Active Life Zero August 17, 2024

As men get older, an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), becomes more common¹. This issue can cause many side effects that affect daily life. We will look into the side effects of an enlarged prostate, its causes and risk factors, and treatment options.

An enlarged prostate is a common issue for older men¹. Knowing about its side effects and getting medical help can help manage it. This keeps urinary health better.

Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is a common issue in older men that’s not cancerous. It happens when the prostate gland grows bigger with age. This growth can press on the urethra, causing problems with urination²³⁴.

What is BPH and how does it affect urination?

BPH happens when the prostate gland below the bladder gets bigger. This makes it hard for the bladder to empty fully. Men with BPH might find it tough to start or stop urinating, feel like their bladder isn’t fully empty, or need to go more often, especially at night³⁴.

Common symptoms of an enlarged prostate

The main signs of an enlarged prostate include:²³

Frequent urination, especially at night
Weak or interrupted urine stream
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Straining to urinate
Dribbling after urination

Some men with BPH won’t have any symptoms, while others will have many³.

The severity of BPH symptoms varies a lot from person to person. By age 55, about one in four men will have BPH symptoms. By age 75, half of men will have them². Around 20% to 30% of men by age 80 will need treatment for BPH symptoms².

Causes and Risk Factors of BPH

As men get older, their prostate gland grows, sometimes causing issues or blocking urine flow. In fact, up to 50% to 60% of men in their 60s have BPH, and this number jumps to 80% to 90% for those over 70⁵. The reason for this growth is still a mystery, but it’s thought to be linked to hormonal changes with aging.

Some factors increase the chance of getting BPH. Having a family history of it makes men more likely to get it⁶. Being overweight, having heart disease, or type 2 diabetes also raises the risk⁶. Not staying active and having erectile dysfunction are other risk factors⁶. In the U.S., BPH affects about 70% of men aged 60 to 69 and over 80% of those over 70⁵.

The size of the prostate doesn’t always mean more severe symptoms or blockage in BPH⁶. Actually, less than half of men with BPH have symptoms⁶.

Age and certain risk factors lead to BPH, causing urinary issues and complications if not treated⁶⁷⁵.

Complications of Untreated Enlarged Prostate

Many men over 50 may see their prostate gland grow bigger as they get older. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). If not treated, this can cause serious problems.

Urinary Retention and Catheterization

Not treating an enlarged prostate can lead to urinary retention. This means the bladder can’t empty fully. Sometimes, a urinary catheter is needed to help drain the bladder and prevent more issues⁸.

Urinary Tract Infections and Bladder Stones

An enlarged prostate can make getting UTIs and bladder stones more likely. These can be very painful and may lead to kidney damage if not treated⁹.

Bladder and Kidney Damage

Pressure from an enlarged prostate can harm the bladder and kidneys over time. This can cause incontinence, kidney stones, and even kidney failure if not managed well⁹.

The severity of these issues doesn’t always match how big the prostate is. Even a slightly enlarged prostate can cause severe symptoms if not treated⁹.

If you’re showing signs of an enlarged prostate, see a doctor right away. Early treatment can help manage the condition and keep your urinary system healthy⁸⁹.

Side Effects of Enlarged Prostate

Treatments for an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can ease urinary issues. But, they may also have side effects. It’s key to know the risks of both medication and surgery for managing an enlarged prostate.

Common Side Effects of BPH Medications

Many men with BPH take drugs to shrink the prostate and improve urine flow. Yet, these medications can cause side effects like dizziness, headaches, and retrograde ejaculation (semen flowing back into the bladder during orgasm)¹⁰. It’s important to talk about these side effects with your doctor. This helps you understand the risks and benefits of each medication.

Potential Side Effects of Surgical Treatments

If medication doesn’t work or symptoms are bad, surgery might be an option. Common surgeries for an enlarged prostate include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and other less invasive treatments. These surgeries can help a lot, but they also have risks like bleeding, infection, and sexual problems¹¹. It’s important to talk openly with your urologist about the possible side effects. This way, you can make a choice that fits your health goals and values.

Choosing to treat an enlarged prostate should be a joint decision with your healthcare provider. Knowing the side effects of medications and surgery helps men make a choice that meets their needs and worries¹⁰¹¹.

Diagnosing an Enlarged Prostate

Figuring out if you have an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), starts with a physical check-up and some tests. First, your doctor will do a digital rectal exam. They will feel your prostate gland’s size and texture¹².

Next, your doctor might ask for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. This test checks for high PSA levels, which could mean your prostate is enlarged. But, it can also be high due to other things like surgery, illness, or prostate cancer¹².

Other Diagnostic Tests

If your symptoms and initial test results suggest you might have an enlarged prostate, your doctor might suggest more tests. These could include:

A 24-hour voiding diary to track how often you go to the bathroom, especially at night¹².
Transrectal ultrasound, which uses sound waves to measure your prostate’s size¹².
Urodynamic and pressure flow studies, which use a catheter to check bladder pressure and how well the bladder muscles work when you try to urinate¹².

These tests give your doctor important info to figure out how big your enlarged prostate is and what treatment you need.

Treatment Options for BPH

Managing an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), offers several treatment choices. The right treatment depends on your symptoms, health, and what you prefer.

Watchful Waiting and Lifestyle Changes

For mild or moderate BPH, watching and making lifestyle changes might be the first step. This means keeping an eye on your symptoms and adjusting your habits. Drink less fluid before bedtime, skip alcohol and caffeine, and stay at a healthy weight. These changes might help without needing medicine or surgery.

Medications for Symptom Relief

If lifestyle changes don’t help, medicines can ease BPH symptoms. Alpha-blockers like alfuzosin and tamsulosin relax muscles in the prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate¹². 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, shrink the prostate gland¹². Sometimes, using both types of medicines works better than one alone¹².

Surgical Procedures and Minimally Invasive Therapies

For severe BPH, surgery or minimally invasive treatments might be needed. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common surgery that removes part of the prostate to improve urine flow¹². Other options include TUIP, TUMT, laser therapy, prostate lift, WVTT, and robotic waterjet treatment¹². These treatments are less invasive and often lead to quicker recovery and fewer side effects¹³.

Talk to your healthcare provider about all your treatment options to find the best one for you. The aim is to manage your BPH symptoms safely and effectively¹³.

When to See a Doctor

After age 50, prostate problems are common¹⁴. Seeing a healthcare provider is key if you notice any worrying urinary symptoms, even if they don’t really bother you. Signs that mean you should get help fast include not being able to pee, seeing blood in your pee, and feeling a lot of pain or discomfort. These signs could mean something serious and should be checked right away.

Red Flag Symptoms that Require Urgent Medical Attention

Inability to urinate
Blood in the urine
Severe pain or discomfort

Men over 50 are more likely to get prostate cancer¹⁴. This cancer is most common in African American men, then Hispanic and Native American men. Asian American men get it the least¹⁴. Eating a lot of fat might also raise your risk¹⁴. Seeing a doctor quickly is important because these signs could mean a serious issue that needs fast treatment.

High PSA levels can mean an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer¹⁴. Before, doctors suggested PSA tests every year for men starting at 50¹⁴. But now, yearly PSA tests for healthy men are not usually advised¹⁴. For men with symptoms, PSA tests and digital rectal exams can help figure out what’s going on¹⁴.

The prostate gland often gets bigger with age, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)¹⁵. This can cause urinary issues like a weak flow, dribbling, and needing to pee a lot, especially at night¹⁵. There are medicines to help make the prostate smaller and relax the bladder and prostate to ease symptoms¹⁵. For worse cases, surgery can remove extra prostate tissue¹⁵.

If you notice any red flag symptoms, seeing a doctor right away is key. Prostate problems can be treated, but quick action is important to avoid serious issues. Your doctor will do tests and suggest the best treatment for your situation¹⁴¹⁵.

Preventing Prostate Problems

Dietary and Lifestyle Factors that May Help

There’s no surefire way to stop an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). But, making some diet and lifestyle changes might help lower the risk or slow it down¹⁶. Eating a diet full of fruits, veggies, and healthy fats, staying active, and keeping a healthy weight are good for your prostate¹⁶. Drinking less alcohol and caffeine can also help with prostate issues.

Research shows that regular exercise, especially the kind that gets your heart rate up, can help with BPH symptoms¹⁷. Working out to strengthen your pelvic muscles can also help with urinary issues from an enlarged prostate¹⁶. Also, avoid certain medicines during colds and drink less fluid before going out or to bed to manage BPH symptoms¹⁶.

Remember, while these changes can be beneficial, they don’t guarantee you won’t have prostate problems¹⁸. It’s crucial to keep up with regular health check-ups to watch your prostate health and deal with any issues or symptoms¹⁸. Being proactive with your prostate care can help keep you healthy and lessen the effects of an enlarged prostate.