Health Conditions

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are often the result of the enlarged gland obstructing the urethra. Common symptoms include the following:

• Weak, interrupted urine stream
• Difficulty starting urination
• Dribbling after urinating or voiding
• Frequent urge to urinate even after voiding
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Leakage of urine
• Need to strain to initiate urination
• Not being able to completely empty bladder
• Urinary tract infections
• Blood in the urine

By the age of 55 years, 25% of men experience a weak and interrupted urine stream. This symptom frequency increases to 50% by the age of 75 years. An important point to consider is that a larger prostate does not necessarily correlate with more severe symptoms of BPH.

If BPH is severe, it may result in the inability to urinate. This can cause severe pain and discomfort. In addition, if urine is retained in the bladder for long periods of time, this can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, or bladder stones. The inability to urinate may be due to triggers that prevent the bladder opening from relaxing. They include the following:

• Holding urine for a long time
• Over-the-counter cold or allergy medications (e.g. decongestants or antihistamines)
• Some prescription drugs (eg. ipratropium, albuterol, epinephrine)
• Alcohol consumption
• Cold temperatures
• Long periods of inactivity