10 Symptoms of BPH

BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs when the prostate gland increases in size as a man ages. Also simply called an enlarged prostate, men with this condition experience a multitude of symptoms related to partial obstruction of and changes in the bladder. Many men experience only minor symptoms of BPH and can deal with the condition without medication. In situations where the symptoms are seriously affecting the quality of life, a doctor’s help may be needed to alleviate the symptoms.

You Have Trouble Urinating

The most common sign of BPH is difficulty urinating, including trouble starting to urinate, a weak stream, or the need to push harder or force urination. The stream may start and stop several times and it can take longer to relieve yourself.

You Have Trouble Emptying Your Bladder

Another sign of BPH is the sensation that the bladder still has urine in it despite having just gone to the bathroom. This form of BPH affects your bladder and can be frustrating since you may go to use the bathroom only to have to return there a few minutes later because you still feel the urge to urinate.

You Have an Urgent Need to Urinate

If you have BPH, you may suddenly need to urinate with no warning. This symptom can be very frustrating if you are in a location where a bathroom isn’t easily accessible or convenient, such as in your car stuck in traffic, at a sporting event, or at a movie.

You Urinate More Than Eight Times a Day

Men with BPH may need to urinate more than eight times a day. Even though they may not produce a lot of urine each time, they frequently need to relieve themselves. This can be inconvenient and embarrassing at work and social events.

You Often Wake Up at Night to Urinate

Getting a good night’s sleep is important, and BPH can interrupt this vital period. Some men with BPH have nocturia, where they find themselves repeatedly waking during the night with the need to urinate. This disturbs the sleep cycle and, if it becomes a regular event, is something to discuss with a doctor

You Get a Urinary Tract Infection

Men who have BPH can develop urinary tract infections. Symptoms include burning or painful urination, blood in the urine, pain in your lower abdomen, urgency in urination, and frequent urination. Because these symptoms are similar to BPH, all men with BPH should be checked to rule out urinary tract infections.

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You Have Blood in Your Urine

Blood in your urine is one of the complications of BPH and should be discussed with a medical professional. The symptom could be caused by an infection such as a urinary tract infection or may indicate cancer, bladder or kidney stones, or another more serious problem.

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You Can’t Urinate

One of the problems with BPH is difficulty urinating, but this symptom can progress to where the individual cannot urinate at all. If you suddenly find yourself needing to urinate but can’t, this constitutes an emergency, and you should seek medical attention immediately. The issue could be due to a blockage in the urinary tract that needs to be cleared immediately.

You Dribble After You Urinate

Another symptom of BPH is “dribbling” from the tip of the penis following urination. This symptom can be particularly embarrassing when it leads to spots or staining on clothing. This symptom generally accompanies others mentioned above, such as difficulty urinating or a weak stream.

Painful Urination

Occasionally, men with BPH feel pain when urinating. This symptom can be a sign of other health problems, such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, so seeking medical attention is recommended for those who experience this symptom.