Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects about half of men over 50 and up to 80% of men by 80. June is Men’s Health Month — a great time to check on your health and address any issues you may have ignored.
BPH (also known as an enlarged prostate) is a common condition many men experience as they age. While BPH isn’t cancer, it can seriously affect your quality of life.
At Wake Family Medicine, we believe men’s health deserves just as much attention and care as any other health issue. If you’ve been struggling with urinary symptoms, it might be time to consider whether BPH is the cause. Here are five signs to watch for.
One of the earliest and most common signs of BPH is difficulty starting to urinate. You may feel the urge to go, but your urine stream takes a while to begin.
The reason for this issue is that your prostate sits just below your bladder, surrounding your urethra — the tube that carries urine out of your body. As the prostate enlarges, it compresses the urethra, making it harder for urine to flow.
If starting to pee takes more effort or concentration than it used to, don’t brush it off. It’s a good idea to visit us so we can check it out.
Getting up once during the night to use the bathroom can be normal, especially as we age. But if you’re waking up two, three, or more times a night, it could be a sign of BPH. This frequent nighttime urination — called nocturia — can lead to poor sleep, daytime fatigue, and even an increased risk of falls in older adults.
At Wake Family Medicine, we encourage patients to talk openly about their sleep and bathroom habits. These small details reveal a lot about your overall health.
When the prostate narrows the urethra, urine can get left behind in the bladder. If you often feel like you still have to pee, even right after you’ve gone, your bladder might not be emptying fully.
This sensation of incomplete emptying can be frustrating and uncomfortable, and it’s another potential sign of BPH. In addition, leftover urine can increase your risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder stones.
A healthy urinary stream should be strong and steady. If your stream has become slow, weak, or dribbly, or if it starts and stops during urination, it might be due to pressure from an enlarged prostate.
This symptom often gets worse with time, and many men think it’s just part of getting older, but you don’t have to live with it. Treatments are available to help restore better flow and relieve discomfort.
Do you sometimes feel a sudden need to urinate that’s hard to control? That urgent feeling can come on quickly and may even cause leaks if you can’t get to the bathroom in time.
Urinary urgency is a common BPH symptom and often goes hand-in-hand with frequent urination. It’s easy to mistake this for an overactive bladder or another issue, so it’s essential to talk with a doctor.
If you recognize any of these signs, you’re not alone. While it’s not cancerous, ignoring BPH symptoms can lead to more serious issues like bladder damage or kidney problems.
Thankfully, there are many ways to manage BPH. Depending on your symptoms and overall health, we may recommend lifestyle changes, medication, or minimally invasive procedures.
The most important step is starting the conversation. Men’s Health Month is ideal for speaking up about your concerns. Whether you’ve been experiencing mild discomfort or more severe symptoms, we’re here to help.
We understand that discussing urinary symptoms can feel awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team provides respectful, compassionate care and works closely with you to find answers and relief.
If you think you might be dealing with BPH, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with Wake Family Medicine today by phone or online, and let’s make Men’s Health Month count for comfort, peace of mind, and long-term wellness.
