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Can Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Make Urination Difficult?
Question: CAN AN ENLARGED PROSTRATE SHUT OFF URINE FLOW?
Brief Answer:
Yes benign prostatic hyperplasai can make urination difficult.
Detailed Answer:
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that urine flows out through from the bladder). If it gets enlarged, then urination can become difficult.
The prostate does grow as men age, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (also called hypertrophy) or BPH can develop.
BPH can cause a weak stream, difficulty getting a stream initiated or completely stopped, which can lead to dribbling. Men with BPH may find that they have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night or feel like they have to urinate often. Sometimes there is the feeling of pressure because the bladder is not completely empty after you urinate. In severe instances, urination can be completely blocked.
If you are having these symptoms and they are problematic, you should see your doctor. He/she will do a digital (finger) rectal exam to feel the size and shape of your prostate. They will also likely get a urine sample and possibly a blood test for PSA.
There is treatment for BPH:
1. Oral medications - these can help relieve symptoms, but they do not make the problem go away. If you stop these medications the symptoms will return. Yet, they can be quite good for controlling the symptoms.
2. If medications do not help enough there is surgery to remove part of the prostate. This is done by a urologist.
Avoid excessive alcohol and caffein as these can increase the need to urinate.
Also, after urinating, wait a few moments and try to urinate again. This helps empty the bladder more adequately.
If you are totally unable to urinate you should go in to an urgent care or ER as this would be a dangerous situation.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If I can provide further information or clarification, please let me know.
Yes benign prostatic hyperplasai can make urination difficult.
Detailed Answer:
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that urine flows out through from the bladder). If it gets enlarged, then urination can become difficult.
The prostate does grow as men age, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (also called hypertrophy) or BPH can develop.
BPH can cause a weak stream, difficulty getting a stream initiated or completely stopped, which can lead to dribbling. Men with BPH may find that they have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night or feel like they have to urinate often. Sometimes there is the feeling of pressure because the bladder is not completely empty after you urinate. In severe instances, urination can be completely blocked.
If you are having these symptoms and they are problematic, you should see your doctor. He/she will do a digital (finger) rectal exam to feel the size and shape of your prostate. They will also likely get a urine sample and possibly a blood test for PSA.
There is treatment for BPH:
1. Oral medications - these can help relieve symptoms, but they do not make the problem go away. If you stop these medications the symptoms will return. Yet, they can be quite good for controlling the symptoms.
2. If medications do not help enough there is surgery to remove part of the prostate. This is done by a urologist.
Avoid excessive alcohol and caffein as these can increase the need to urinate.
Also, after urinating, wait a few moments and try to urinate again. This helps empty the bladder more adequately.
If you are totally unable to urinate you should go in to an urgent care or ER as this would be a dangerous situation.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If I can provide further information or clarification, please let me know.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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