What is benign prostate enlargement?
As men get older, the prostate naturally grows. This benign (non-cancerous) enlargement — known medically as BPH — can press on the tube you pass urine through and change the way your bladder empties. It is extremely common: most men notice some symptoms by their 60s.
Importantly, having an enlarged prostate does not mean you have, or will get, prostate cancer.
Symptoms to look out for
Common symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement include:
- A weak or slow urinary stream
- Difficulty starting, or stopping and starting
- A feeling that your bladder hasn't emptied fully
- Needing to go more often, or urgently
- Getting up at night to pass urine (nocturia)
How it is assessed
We will take a careful history, occasionally using a simple bladder questionnaire (IPSS) and bladder diary, test your urine, measure your urine flow and check how well your bladder empties. A PSA test and digital rectal examination (DRE) are typically required, sometimes with an additional flexible cystoscopy (camera inspection of the urethra bladder), and occasionally formal urodynamics (bladder pressure/flow studies). This provides a clear understanding of your condition, allowing the most appropriate treatment to be tailored to your needs.
Treatment options
Many men are reassured to learn their symptoms are mild and manageable with simple measures. Where treatment is needed, options range from lifestyle changes, including bladder retraining and caffeine restriction, through medication designed to improve flow and shrink the prostate, to minimally-invasive procedures that relieve obstruction and restore a better flow.
Patient information leaflet
Read the NHS England leaflet: Making a decision about an enlarged prostate (BPE)
View the NHS leaflet