Are you getting up several times a night to urinate? Is your urine stream weaker than it used to be? You may be wondering what causes enlarged prostate and whether your symptoms are a normal part of aging.
An enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is common in men as they get older. It isn’t prostate cancer, but it can cause urinary problems that affect your sleep and daily life.
At Urology San Antonio, we help men throughout San Antonio find the cause of urinary symptoms and choose the right treatment.
What are Common Enlarged Prostate Symptoms?
The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the prostate grows, it can press on this tube and make it harder for urine to pass.
Common symptoms include:
- A weak urine stream
- Getting up at night to urinate
- Trouble starting urination
- Frequent urination
- A sudden need to urinate
- Dribbling after urination
- Feeling like your bladder isn’t empty
With BPH, the location of the growth matters. Even a small amount of growth can block urine flow if it presses on the urethra.
A larger prostate doesn’t always cause worse symptoms. A small prostate may cause major problems in one man, while a larger prostate may cause mild symptoms in another.
What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?
There isn’t one clear cause of BPH. In most cases, several factors play a role.
Age and BPH
Age is the biggest risk factor for an enlarged prostate.
BPH rarely causes symptoms before age 40. The chance of prostate growth rises after that. It becomes much more common after age 50.
As you age, hormone changes can cause prostate cells to grow. This doesn’t mean BPH is caused by too much testosterone. The process is more complex and may involve several hormones.
Family History and Genetics
BPH can run in families.
Men with a father or brother who had prostate problems may have a higher risk of developing an enlarged prostate. Genetics can affect how the prostate grows, when symptoms begin, and how likely a man is to need treatment.
A family history doesn’t mean you’ll develop BPH. It only means your risk may be higher.
Health Conditions That May Raise Your Risk
Some health problems have been linked to a higher risk of BPH.
These include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
Staying active and keeping a healthy weight may support your prostate and bladder health.
Is BPH Caused by Cancer?
No. BPH is benign, which means it isn’t cancer.
Having an enlarged prostate isn’t thought to raise your risk of prostate cancer. Still, BPH and prostate cancer can cause some of the same urinary symptoms.
A man can also have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time. That’s why it’s important to see a urologist if you notice changes in urination.
An exam can help find out whether your symptoms are caused by BPH, prostate cancer, a bladder problem, or another condition.
Can an Enlarged Prostate Be Prevented?
There’s no sure way to prevent BPH. You can’t change your age or family history.
Still, healthy habits may help support your prostate and bladder. These include:
- Staying active
- Keeping a healthy weight
- Managing diabetes
- Managing heart disease
- Not smoking
- Eating a balanced diet
It’s also important to talk to your doctor when symptoms begin.
Many men wait until urinary problems affect their sleep or daily routine. Getting checked early can help you track your symptoms and learn about treatment before the problem gets worse.
How Is an Enlarged Prostate Treated?
The right BPH treatment depends on several factors, including:
- How bad your symptoms are
- The size and shape of your prostate
- How well your bladder works
- Your general health
- Your treatment goals
Some men only need regular checkups. Others may need medicine, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgery.
Lifestyle Changes
Mild symptoms may improve with simple changes.
Your urologist may suggest that you:
- Drink less before bedtime
- Cut back on caffeine
- Limit alcohol
- Urinate when you first feel the need
- Avoid medicines that may make symptoms worse
- Take time to fully empty your bladder
These steps won’t shrink the prostate, but they may make urinary symptoms easier to manage.
Medication
Medicine may help when symptoms become more bothersome.
Alpha blockers relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. This can make it easier for urine to flow.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors block the hormone that causes the prostate to grow. They work over time to shrink the prostate and improve urinary symptoms. These medicines may work best for men with larger prostates.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
If medicine doesn’t provide enough relief or causes side effects, a minimally invasive procedure may be a good option.
Urology San Antonio offers several advanced treatments for BPH, including:
- Prostatic artery embolization (PAE), which shrinks the prostate by reducing its blood supply without surgery
- Aquablation, which uses a high-pressure waterjet to remove extra prostate tissue without an incision
- UroLift, which lifts enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra to improve urine flow
- Rezūm, which uses water vapor to shrink excess prostate tissue
- HoLEP, an advanced laser procedure that removes extra prostate tissue
Your urologist will recommend the treatment that’s best for your prostate size, symptoms, overall health, and personal goals.
Surgery
Some men need surgery when symptoms are severe or other treatments haven’t helped.
Surgery may also be recommended if BPH causes:
- Urinary retention
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Bladder stones
- Kidney problems
- Blood in the urine
- Bladder damage
One of the most common surgeries for an enlarged prostate is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). During this procedure, the urologist removes the prostate tissue blocking the urethra. This can be done with traditional surgical instruments or a laser.
Your urologist will help you choose the treatment that’s right for you.
Find Out What Causes Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
An enlarged prostate is common, but you don’t have to live with poor sleep, a weak urine stream, or frequent trips to the bathroom.
The team at Urology San Antonio can find out what’s causing your symptoms and explain your treatment options. We care for men throughout San Antonio and help each patient choose a plan based on his symptoms, health, and goals.
Schedule an appointment with Urology San Antonio to get help for enlarged prostate symptoms.