The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that’s part of the male reproductive system. It surrounds the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. It’s natural for the prostate to grow as you age, but if it gets too big, it can cause health issues.
It’s important to have a routine checkup with your doctor to monitor your prostate health. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor at the first sign of a problem. Prostate problems are common after age 50, but there are many things you can do to recognize and prevent these issues.
Though prostate cancer is a common form of cancer for men, having prostate problems doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Here we focus on some of the non-cancerous prostate problems.
Common Non-Cancerous Prostate Problems
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) means your prostate is enlarged, but not cancerous. It’s quite common in older men. Having an enlarged prostate may make it difficult to urinate or cause dribbling after urination. You may also have an increased need to urinate, especially at night. If this sounds familiar, see your family doctor for an exam. Treatments for BPH include:
- Active surveillance – If your symptoms are not severe, your doctor may choose to wait before beginning treatment to see if the problem gets worse. During this time your doctor will see you for regular checkups to monitor your condition. You can start treatment at any time if your symptoms progress.
- Medication – There are several medications that help shrink the prostate or help relax muscles near your prostate to reduce symptoms. Talk with your doctor to weigh the benefits and possible side effects.
- Surgery – Usually this open will come up once you’ve tried other treatments. If nothing else has worked, your doctor may suggest surgery to improve urine flow. There are different types of BPH surgery. Talk with your doctor about the risks. Regular checkups are important after surgery.
- Other treatments – Sometimes radio waves, microwaves, or lasers use heat to reduce extra prostate tissue. These methods can treat urinary problems caused by BPH.
Acute bacterial prostatitis comes on suddenly from a bacterial infection. Symptoms include fever, chills, pain in the area or with urination. Sometimes you may see blood in your urine. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor right away for a diagnosis.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is an infection that recurs. This is a rare problem, but can be difficult to treat. Antibiotics are commonly used but may take a long time to work. Talk with your doctor about other things you can do to help you feel better.
Chronic prostatitis (also called Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome) is a common prostate problem. Pain shows up in the lower back, in the groin area, or at the tip of the penis. Men with this problem often report having painful ejaculation, as well as a frequent need to urinate, but only passing a small amount of urine. Treating this condition may require a combination of medicines, surgery and lifestyle changes.
Know the Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for the following signs of a prostate problem:
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Getting up many times at night to urinate
- Blood in urine or semen
- Painful or burning with urination
- Difficulty with or unable to urinate
- Painful ejaculation
- Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area, or upper thighs
- Dribbling of urine
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away for an exam and to uncover the treatment options that are best for you.