11 Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition that affects men as they age. The condition of having a non-cancerous enlarged prostate keeps you up at night, causes urinating problems, swells and blocks the flow of urine from the bladder and sometimes leads to infection. (Image source:Getty)

An enlarged prostate can press against the urethra, and as the urethra carries urine from the bladder one finds it difficult to begin urination. It takes longer to build the sufficient pressure for urine to pass. It becomes a problem over time and can lead to urinary retention. (Image source:Getty)

A frustrating symptom of BPH is interrupted (starting and stopping) urination. As the enlarged prostate presses on the urethra, it prevents urine from easily flowing out of the bladder. The flow is interrupted frequently and one has to try to force out more urine. (Image source:Getty)

BPH makes urinary stream weak owing to the pressure from the prostate. It takes a long time to empty your bladder. Those with the condition find themselves spending a long time standing in front of the urinal. (Image source:Getty)

Those with the condition often think that they’ve finished urinating, but during tucking, leak a bit of urine. It happens because of the weak urine flow and the pressure build-up behind the restriction. (Image source:Getty)

Besides urinary incontinence, those with the condition often experience strong urge to urinate. In the condition, the bladder fails to signal your brain properly and you may have a sudden, dramatic need to urinate or an uncomfortable feeling in your bladder. (Image source:Getty)

With this condition, it may get harder to fall asleep and stay asleep as you have to get up feeling the need to urinate several times a night. (Image source:Getty)

There could be a muscle injury to the pelvic floor, hemorrhoids, or micturition syncope (fainting during or after urination) as you push or strain the pelvic or abdominal muscles for urinating. (Image source:Getty)

Urinary incontinent and inability to empty the bladder puts you at an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). Strain on the bladder and urine within the bladder for too long can create an environment for bacteria to thrive. (Image source:Getty)

Urine retention due to BPH may lead to bladder stones. These are painful and cause additional urinary symptoms. The stone may pass out of the bladder through the urethra if it is small but a complex treatment may be required for the big stones. (Image source:Getty)

Improper urine flow and urine retention can lead to serious complications such as kidney damage. Studies report that the risk of kidney damage and diseases is three times with BPH. (Image source:Getty)