Prostate Enlargement (BPH): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options | Apex Hospitals
Prostate Enlargement (BPH): Symptoms Men Often Ignore Until It's Too Late
By Apex Hospitals, 9th June, 2026
Most men over the age of 50 have some degree of prostate enlargement. Most of them do not know it. They put up with disrupted sleep, weak urine flow, and frequent trips to the bathroom, assuming it is just part of getting older. It is not.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects urinary function. Left untreated for too long, it can damage the bladder and kidneys. The good news is that it is very treatable, once you recognise it.
What is the Prostate? The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut, located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the prostate enlarges, it gradually squeezes the urethra, making urination increasingly difficult. |
Why Men Ignore the Symptoms
The symptoms of BPH develop slowly over years. There is no single dramatic moment that prompts most men to seek help. Instead, they adapt, going to the bathroom more often, waking up two or three times a night, avoiding long journeys. They tell themselves it is normal for their age.
By the time they consult a urologist at the best urology hospital in Jaipur or elsewhere, many have already had the condition for five to ten years. Some have developed complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or early kidney involvement.
Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement You Should Not Ignore
The following symptoms, particularly when they appear together or worsen over time, should prompt a visit to a urologist:
| Storage Symptoms (filling phase) | Voiding Symptoms (emptying phase) |
Frequent urination (more than 8 times a day) Waking up 2 or more times at night to urinate (nocturia) Sudden, urgent need to urinate that is hard to delay Leaking urine before reaching the bathroom | Weak or slow urine stream Difficulty starting urination (hesitancy) Dribbling at the end of urination Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying |
When It Becomes an Emergency
Acute urinary retention, the sudden, complete inability to urinate, is a medical emergency. It is extremely painful and requires immediate catheterisation. Men who have been ignoring BPH symptoms for years are at higher risk of this happening.
Other warning signs that need urgent attention:
• Blood in the urine
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Kidney function deterioration on blood tests
• Bladder stones
How BPH Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis is straightforward. A urologist will typically recommend:
- Digital rectal examination (DRE) to assess prostate size
- Urine flow rate test (uroflowmetry) to measure stream strength
- Post-void residual urine scan (ultrasound) to check bladder emptying
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test to rule out prostate cancer
- In some cases, flexible cystoscopy to view the urethra and bladder directly
Importantly, BPH is not prostate cancer and does not increase your risk of cancer. However, since the symptoms overlap, it is important to evaluate both together.
Treatment Options for BPH
Lifestyle Adjustments (Mild Symptoms)
• Reduce fluid intake after 6 PM
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol, both irritate the bladder
• Double voiding: urinate, wait a moment, then try again
• Pelvic floor exercises
Medicines (Moderate Symptoms)
• Alpha-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin): relax the muscles around the prostate and urethra to improve flow
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride): shrink the prostate over time
• Combination therapy for more significant enlargement
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatment (Severe Symptoms)
• TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate): the gold standard surgical procedure, done endoscopically with no external incision
• Laser prostatectomy: uses laser energy to vaporise or enucleate excess tissue. Less bleeding, suitable for patients on blood thinners
• UroLift: small implants that hold the prostate tissue back, preserving sexual function
At Apex Hospitals, Malviya Nagar, one of the best urology hospitals in Jaipur, we assess each patient individually and recommend the least invasive treatment that will be effective for their degree of obstruction.
Does BPH affect sexual function?
BPH itself does not directly cause erectile dysfunction. However, some medicines used to treat BPH can affect libido or ejaculation. Your urologist will factor this into the treatment plan.
If you have urinary symptoms, do not wait. Book a consultation with Dr. Saurabh Jain at Apex Hospitals, Malviya Nagar, one of the best urology hospitals in Jaipur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BPH the same as prostate cancer?
No. BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) condition. However, both can cause similar urinary symptoms, so a urologist will evaluate both during your consultation.
At what age does prostate enlargement start?
The prostate begins to enlarge from around age 40 in many men. Symptoms typically appear after 50 and become more common with advancing age. By age 70, over 70% of men have some degree of BPH.
Can BPH be cured without surgery?
Many men with mild to moderate BPH are successfully managed with medicines and lifestyle changes. Surgery is recommended when symptoms are severe, medicines are not working, or complications have developed.