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3 Early Signs of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Prostate Enlargement)

According to research, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) afflicts around 50% of men over 50. BPH is the enlargement or swelling of the prostate. In some cases, the prostate, which is generally as big as a walnut, reaches the size of an apricot or a large lemon. The signs of BPH can be alarming, but it is also treatable.

Men feel a strong urge to urinate, often eight or more times a day. Urination may become painful. Moreover, the urge to urinate frequently affects their mental health, making them feel frustrated, irritated, confused, overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at three of the earliest signs of BPH.

1. Nocturia (a strong urge to urinate more frequently at night)

Nocturia is the earliest sign of BPH. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra. This tube is responsible for dispelling urine from the body. When the prostate is enlarged, the urethra is blocked. As a result, people with BPH feel a strong urge to urinate multiple times at night. This is accompanied by the dribbling of urine.

2. Difficulty Starting Urination

People have trouble starting urination within the first few weeks and months of developing BPH. You may feel pressure. You may also feel discomfort. Eventually, this develops into pain. The longer the condition is left untreated, the more the pain exacerbates.

This makes early detection, diagnosis, and treatment even more imperative. Don’t take any chances. If you’re having trouble urinating and you’ve noticed an increase in the number of times you urinate during the night or even throughout the day, consult a urologist.

3. Inability to Empty the Bladder

There is a certain feeling of relief when we are able to empty our bladder. With BPH, you won’t feel that sense of relief, since you’ll feel that your bladder will still be carrying fluid. Since your prostate gland has enlarged, you cannot completely empty your bladder. This may make you feel frustrated and uncomfortable. The discomfort urges you to visit the bathroom multiple times to achieve the feeling of satisfactory urination.

At TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital, we can diagnose and treat various urologic conditions, including BPH. If you suffer from this condition, you can find a urologist near you on our website to help.

As one of the leading surgical hospitals in North Houston, thousands of patients trust us with a variety of surgical procedures that help them get their health back on track.