What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
The prostate is a small gland about the size of a pingpong ball that’s located deep inside the groin, between the rectum and the base of the penis. The enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) becomes more prevalent as men age. Many men have continued prostate growth throughout life.
With an enlarged prostate, you might have certain symptoms, such as:
- Urgent or frequent need to urinate
- Inability to completely empty your bladder
- More frequent urination during the night (nocturia)
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine stream
Your urethra passes through the center of your prostate and prostate enlargement can block the flow of urine.
Other less common symptoms of an enlarged prostate include urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, and an inability to urinate.
What causes an enlarged prostate?
The exact cause of prostate enlargement isn’t clear, but it might be due to hormonal fluctuations of the reproductive hormones that occur with natural aging. Some of the factors that increase your risk of developing an enlarged prostate include:
- Excess body weight
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Lack of exercise
- Family history
An enlarged prostate can lead to bladder, kidney, or urinary tract complications and more severe cases can lead to bladder stones and bladder and kidney damage.
How is an enlarged prostate treated?
To treat your enlarged prostate, your urologist might suggest lifestyle changes, medications, minimally invasive therapies, and surgical procedures when necessary, such as a procedure to destroy or remove a portion of your prostate.
UroLift®
The minimally invasive UroLift treatment can be successfully performed in an outpatient or inpatient setting under local or general anesthesia, and you can typically return home the same day.
With UroLift, there’s no heating, cutting, or removing your prostate tissue. Your urologist places the UroLift device through your obstructed urethra to the large prostate. Your urologist carefully places small, permanent implants to lift, secure, and hold the enlarged prostate tissue and widen your urethral opening. Your urologist gently removes the device, leaving an open urethra and giving you symptom relief immediately.
The UroLift is just one of several effective treatment options for an enlarged prostate. Your urologist can help you decide what’s best for you.
If you have an enlarged prostate, you need top-notch care from the skillful providers of Urology Associates Of Southeastern North Carolina, P.A.. Book online or call today.