The prostate gland is an integral part of a man’s reproductive system. It secretes the seminal fluid used to nourish and move the sperm from the testicles. Normally, the prostate is about the size of a walnut. As men age, the prostate gland becomes enlarged. This is usually due to the natural process of aging and is irreversible.
The prostate gland becomes enlarged because there are more cells being produced. It is not known precisely why this occurs but factors including male hormones, estrogen, growth factors, and cell-to-cell communication are thought to contribute to the enlargement. As the prostate grows larger, it begins to squeeze the urethra. This causes symptoms and problems throughout the urogenital system. In some cases, it can eventually result in bladder or kidney damage. The symptoms and results of an enlarged prostate can lower a man’s quality of life. It is important for men to have their prostates checked regularly by their physician and if they start to have signs, to see their physician as soon as possible.
1. Weak urinary stream
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it puts pressure on the urethra. This pressure causes a blockage which can make it difficult to push urine through. This results in a weak urinary stream. A weak urine stream can cause discomfort, particularly when men feel an urgency to go. The pressure itself can cause urine to remain in the bladder after urinating resulting in an increased frequency of urination, and an uncomfortable urge to urinate.
2. Dribbling after urination
Dribbling after urination, also called post-void or post-micturition dribbling, occurs due to leftover urine in the urethra after voiding. An enlarged prostate gland can constrict the urethra, causing urine to remain after the muscles used for pushing urine out have relaxed. When the muscles used to push relax, the remaining urine can dribble out. Post-void dribbling is the source of great embarrassment to men who experience it. It may necessitate the use of incontinence pads in order to avoid clothing stains and smells.
3. Excessive urination at night
The bladder can become irritated by an enlarged prostate pushing into it. This can cause a frequent feeling of needing to urinate. The prostate can also cause the amount of urine the bladder is able to hold become lower. The body will produce the same amount of urine regardless of bladder size, so this results in a frequent need to urinate in order to get rid of the urine. Night time frequency is often one of the first signs men with an enlarged bladder will notice. The frequent need to urinate occurs both during the day and at night. However, because sleep is disrupted at night, men are more likely to notice the increased frequency during late night hours. Sleep disruption will impact all areas of a man’s life. It can lead to cognitive difficulties, irritability, depression, and social isolation. A disrupted sleep pattern can also contribute to accidents and falls because of the lack of ability to focus.
4. Frequent urination
Frequent urination is a common sign of an enlarged prostate. When an enlarged prostate gland pushes on the urethra it can cause urine to remain in the bladder. It can also cause the stream of urine or the force at which you are able to push it out to become weak. This results in going to the bathroom more often in order to eliminate the excess urine from the urethra and bladder. An enlarged prostate can also push on the bladder, causing irritation to the organ and restricting the amount of urine it can hold. Irritation can cause you to feel like you have to urinate more often. When the amount of urine your bladder can hold is reduced, you are still producing the same amount of urine. This means that you will need to urinate more frequently in order to excrete the required amount of urine from the body.
5. Urge to urinate
When the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it can push up on the bladder causing pressure. This irritates the bladder and can also lower the amount of urine the bladder is able to hold. Irritation of the bladder can cause you to feel like you have to urinate when you do not need to. If the volume of the bladder is reduced, you will feel like you need to urinate more often as well. An enlarged prostate gland can also constrict the urethra, leading to a weaker urine stream. When the muscles used to urinate cannot overcome this restriction, urine is left in the bladder, causing frequent urination and an increased urge to urinate. The frequency and urgency of the need to urinate can cause disruptions in daily life for men. It can become an annoyance to have to stop activities and social engagements in order to use the bathroom.
6. Leaking
Like dribbling, leaking urine when not actively trying to urinate can be very troublesome for men. When an enlarged prostate pushes on the bladder it can become irritated. This irritation can cause the bladder muscles to contract, pushing urine out involuntarily. These contractions can occur regardless of the amount of urine that is in the bladder. Some men may feel this occurring and have a sense of urgency to urinate. Because the bladder muscles are contracting involuntarily, leaking of urine may occur before they are able to reach a bathroom.
Some men do not feel this occurring at all and experience leaking without ever feeling like they need to urinate. The leaking of urine involuntarily will necessitate the use of incontinence pads and protection in order to prevent clothing from becoming wet. This can lead to lack of self-esteem and a feeling of self-consciousness in public places.
7. Sexual dysfunction
The urinary problems that can occur when the prostate becomes enlarged can also affect sexual functioning. Although erectile dysfunction does commonly occur in men with an enlarged prostate, the exact cause is unknown. Researchers believe it is a combination of other symptoms that can lead to sexual dysfunction in those with enlarged prostates. Frequent nighttime urination can cause sleep disruptions which can translate into problems getting an erection due to fatigue.
When leakage and dribbling occur, lowered self-esteem can also lead to erectile dysfunction. There may also be a general link due to the age of men who have an enlarged prostate, as older men tend to have increased difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. The constant urge to urinate can cause men to have decreased interest in sexual activity.
