As we age, we begin to see signs of our old age catching up to us. Some of these typical signs are gray hairs, wrinkles, and age spots. However, some of us start to notice our bodies acting differently. While we can expect behaviors and our norm to change, it can sometimes change to a cause for concern. 

 

One problem, in particular, that men sometimes find themselves concerned about is an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong. But it’s always better to get it checked out to make sure. At Uromedix, we specialize in urology and urologic surgery. If you believe the following five signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate are affecting you, we can help!

 

Frequent Urination

One common sign of an enlarged prostate is frequent urination. When we say frequent urination, we don’t mean you drank a lot of water or caffeine and have to use the bathroom as a result. We are talking about all situations, regardless of what you drank. 

 

If you are always getting up to come to the bathroom, it could be a sign of an enlarged prostate. The main thing you want to look out for is urinating getting in the way of your day-to-day life. You might not realize it at first, but after some time, you might become more self-conscious. On top of the frequency, you want to see how you feel when you realize you have to go to the bathroom. Do you feel like you need to go now? Is it urgent? Most people can wait when they have to go. But, if you can’t, it, even more, points to symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

 

Difficulty Urinating

It may seem the complete opposite of frequent urination, but difficulty urinating isn’t as different as you think. If you always get the urge that you have to go to urinate but can’t urinate once in the bathroom, it could point to your prostate. This feeling is usually one of pressure and lack of relief. You have to urinate but cannot give your bladder the release it needs. If this has been a frequent problem for you, a urologist at Uromedix can help get to the bottom of the problem. If it is an enlarged prostate, we can find relief and treatment.

 

Urinating Throughout the Night

When we fall asleep, our body tends to let us rest unless we absolutely need to urinate. However, most of the time, our body allows us to wait until we wake up to our alarm or naturally. Then, the urge and pressure to release the urine hits. 

 

But, those with an enlarged prostate do not have this luxury. The body requires release throughout the night and frequently. This pattern of waking up, going to the bathroom, trying to go back to sleep, just doing it all over again can become frustrating. It may even start to cut into your daily life, making you feel exhausted. When this is the case, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate are probably in the early stages. But, it’s always better to get treatment earlier rather than let it progress.

 

A Lack of Relief After Urinating

Another sign that you could have an enlarged prostate is having a lack of relief after urinating. After we feel the build-up of pressure and finally get to go to the bathroom, most of us feel 10x better. The urge to urinate is no longer there. However, those with an enlarged prostate do not always feel this sense of relief. The body narrows out the urethra making all of the urine hard to release. As a result, the sensation of always having to urinate is there.

 

A Yo-Yo Urine Stream

When you urinate, pay attention to what the stream is like. Do you urinate, then stop, then start again? If so, you might be a victim of the yo-yo urine stream. This on and off-stream is a classic symptom of an enlarged prostate. The pressure and narrow urethra make it hard to release everything in your bladder. This on and off-stream also contributes to time-consuming bathroom visits that those with enlarged prostates often deal with.

 

We Can Help

Next time you go to the bathroom, take stock of what your experience is. If you experience some or all of these symptoms, it may be time to visit the urologist. An enlarged prostate is a common medical condition that many older men deal with. It may be stressful or scary,  but rest assured that our doctors at Uromedix (https://uromedix.org/#) can help you out. Set up an appointment today at (305) 466-9111.