Men's Health

If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can place pressure on the bladder and urethra (the tube through which urine passes). Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include:

• finding it difficult to start peeing
• straining to pee
• having a weak flow of urine
• “stop-start” peeing
• needing to pee urgently and/or frequently
• needing to get up frequently in the night to pee
• accidentally leaking urine (urinary incontinence)

To quantify your symptoms there is a scoring system called the International Prostate scoring system(IPSS). It can help guide decisions to start treatment and monitor response. Score yourself here. Bring your score with you if you see a doctor.

Prostate symptoms are common in aging men. They affect about half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90% of men over age 80.

Many men worry about their symptoms but the risk of prostate cancer is no greater for men with an enlarged prostate than it is for men without an enlarged prostate.

Currently the best way of detecting Prostate cancer is to do a PSA blood test and examine the prostate with a rectal examination. If you have symptoms this will be offered to you. Unfortunately these methods are not perfect and it is a good idea to read about the benefits and risks of being screened. Here is a useful guide. 

You can speak to a prostate specialist nurse from Prostate Cancer UK on 0800 074 8383.

Or email them with this contact form.

If your symptoms are thought to be benign you may be offered treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.