If you’re dealing with both urinary issues and constipation, you might be wondering: “Can an enlarged prostate cause constipation?” The short answer is: sometimes.
Because the prostate and rectum sit close together in the pelvis, problems in one area can occasionally affect the other. An enlarged prostate mostly leads to urinary issues, but it can also indirectly cause bowel problems. This is especially true when pelvic floor dysfunction is involved or certain medications are used.
What Is BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. As men age, the prostate can gradually grow larger.
An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. This added pressure can make it harder for urine to pass, leading to BPH symptoms such as:
- A weak or slow urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Feeling like your bladder doesn’t fully empty
The prostate sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum, so problems in one area can affect the other. While a severely enlarged prostate can put pressure on the rectum and make bowel movements more difficult, this is uncommon.
In most cases, BPH doesn’t directly cause constipation. It’s more likely that constipation and added pelvic pressure make urinary symptoms worse.
When Constipation Worsens BPH Symptoms
When your rectum is full of stool, it can press against your bladder and urethra. That pressure may:
- Make you feel like you need to urinate more often
- Cause urgency
- Increase discomfort when trying to urinate
- Cause difficulty emptying your bladder
Straining during bowel movements might also tense your pelvic floor muscles. This can interfere with your ability to relax and urinate properly.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Men
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissue that supports the bladder, bowel, and prostate. These muscles help control urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.
In men with an enlarged prostate, the bladder has to work harder to push urine past the narrowed urethra. Over time, this strain can affect the pelvic floor.
Men might tense their pelvic muscles without realizing it. This often happens when they feel they haven’t emptied their bladder completely or when they feel urgency. Over time, this can cause pelvic floor problems.
When the pelvic floor muscles become too tight or uncoordinated, they may not relax properly during a bowel movement. This can slow the movement of stool through the rectum and make it harder to pass, leading to constipation.
Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Feeling of incomplete emptying
- Needing to go to the bathroom multiple times to fully empty
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Pelvic floor physical therapy can often improve both bowel and bladder function.
Can BPH Medications Cause Constipation?
Some treatments used to manage urinary symptoms can contribute to constipation. While not everyone experiences this side effect, it’s worth considering.
Some men with BPH take anticholinergic medications to help with symptoms like urgency and frequent urination. These medications relax the bladder but can also slow down the muscles in the digestive tract. As a result, constipation is a common side effect.
Get Help For An Enlarged Prostate
If you’re experiencing ongoing issues with urination, bowel movements, or both, don’t ignore them. While it may feel like one problem is causing the other, they might be separate, or they may share an underlying issue like pelvic floor dysfunction.
Stop wondering if an enlarged prostate can cause constipation – call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment and get help today!