A doctor may examine your prostate to see how big it is.Tests are also useful in ruling out other causes of your symptoms and sometimes give the doctor an idea of the size of your prostate.

Tests are not needed to confirm the diagnosis but to make sure no complications have developed. Men with a benign prostate enlargement are no more or less likely to develop prostate cancer than those without benign prostate enlargement.īenign prostatic enlargement is usually diagnosed based on the typical symptoms as described earlier. Note: the risk of prostate cancer is not increased. This may cause repeated (recurring) urine infections, or incontinence (as urine dribbles around the blockage rather than large amounts being passed each time you go to the toilet). This ongoing condition is called chronic retention. Some urine remains in the bladder at all times. In some cases, only some of the urine in the bladder is emptied when you pass urine.See the separate leaflet called Urinary Retention. It occurs in less than 1 in 100 men with an enlarged prostate each year. It can be very uncomfortable and you will need to have a small tube (catheter) inserted to drain the bladder. In some cases, a total blockage of urine occurs so you will no longer be able to pass urine.Complications that sometimes occur include: Serious complications are unlikely to occur in most men with an enlarged prostate. Urinary symptoms do not worsen in everyone. You should see a doctor if these symptoms occur. In particular, if you pass blood, become incontinent, or have pain, it may be due to bladder, kidney or other prostate conditions. Not all urinary symptoms in men are due to an enlarged prostate.

It depends on how much the prostate obstructs the urethra. Also, the severity of the symptoms is not always related to the size of the prostate. Only a quarter to a half of men with an enlarged prostate will have symptoms. Complications develop in some cases.Īn enlarged prostate does not always cause symptoms. Over months or years the symptoms may become more troublesome and severe. Usually the symptoms are mild to begin with - perhaps a slightly reduced urine flow, or having to wait a few seconds to start passing urine. This means you have to get to the toilet quickly when you need to go. Getting up several times a night to pass urine is a common symptom and is called nocturia. This can be most irritating if it happens at night. You may pass urine more often than normal. The enlarged prostate may also make the bladder irritable, which may cause: You may have a feeling of not quite emptying your bladder. Towards the end of passing urine, the flow becomes a slow dribble. You may have to wait at the toilet for a while before urine starts to flow. The flow of urine is weaker and it takes longer to empty your bladder. This can lead to obstructive symptoms such as: This may partially obstruct the flow of urine. LUTS can also be caused by other conditions.Īs the prostate enlarges it may cause narrowing of the urethra. See the separate leaflet called Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men for more details. The symptoms of prostate enlargement are called lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

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