What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Updated on

What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine outside the body), it is easy to understand that enlargement of the prostate can lead to blockage of the tube. Therefore, you may develop early symptoms of BPH:

  • Slowness or dribbling of your urinary stream.
  • Hesitancy or difficulty starting to urinate.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Feeling of urgency (sudden need to urinate).
  • Need to get up at night to urinate.
  • Pain after ejaculation or while urinating.
  • Urine that looks or smells "funny" (for instance, it's a different color).

If left untreated BPH can block the urethra further causing symptoms to worsen, you may develop:

  • Bladder stones.
  • Bladder infection.
  • Blood in your urine.
  • Damage to your kidneys from back pressure caused by retaining large amounts of extra urine in the bladder.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away:

  • Pain in the area of the lower abdomen or genitals while urinating.
  • Can’t urinate at all.
  • Pain, fever and/or chills while urinating.
  • Blood in the urine.

Related posts