Prostate enlargement is, unfortunately, something most men will have to deal with at some point. It can cause many irritating symptoms, like frequent urination, a slow or weak urine stream, or feeling like your bladder won’t fully empty. Prostate enlargement can disrupt sleep due to needing to urinate often during the night, leading to daytime sleepiness. Many men want to know how to prevent prostate enlargement to avoid these symptoms.
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate gland is an important part of the male reproductive system. It’s located just under the bladder and wraps around the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body.
The main job of the prostate is to produce one of the fluids that make up semen. This fluid helps sperm stay healthy and move effectively during ejaculation.
The size of the prostate can change as a man gets older. It’s usually about the size of a walnut in younger men, but it can get bigger with age. This increase in size can sometimes lead to issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Benign means it is a noncancerous tissue growth, but it can cause some uncomfortable symptoms.
What Are Symptoms of BPH?
BPH is usually seen in older men, and due to the prostate gland’s larger size, it begins to exert pressure and squeeze the urethra. As a result, men with BPH often experience changes or difficulties in their urination. If you have an enlarged prostate and experience BPH because of it, you may notice:
- A frequent need to urinate
- Waking up at night to urinate
- Straining when starting to urinate
- Difficulty emptying the bladder fully
- A weak stream or dribble of urine
It’s important to know that problems with urination can be caused by things other than an enlarged prostate. When you see your urologist, make sure to tell them about all the medicines you’re taking and your medical history. This helps the doctor determine the reason for your urinary symptoms and find the best way to treat you.
How to Prevent Prostate Enlargement
Prostate enlargement is often a natural aging process and cannot be completely prevented. However, while you can’t control all risk factors, such as genetics and age, several lifestyle changes may help reduce the severity of BPH symptoms.
- Getting regular check-ups to detect any prostate concerns early.
- Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fats.
- Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Limiting evening fluid intake.
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption.
- Avoiding over-the counter cold and allergy medications that worsen symptoms.
Enlarged Prostate Treatments
If you are bothered by troublesome prostate symptoms, there are treatment options available to decrease prostate size and manage symptoms.
For men with a larger prostate, medications called alpha-reductase inhibitors can stop further growth and have the potential to shrink the prostate, improving symptoms within six months. These medications can also reduce the risk of urinary concerns and the need for surgery.
If symptoms are severe or don’t improve with medication, there are minimally invasive treatments your doctor may suggest. Options may include:
- UroLift® involves lifting the enlarged prostate tissue without cutting or heating, offering quick symptom relief.
- Rezūm™ uses water vapor to reduce prostate size, with most men seeing symptom improvement in a few weeks.
- GreenLight XPS™ Laser Therapy, suitable for larger prostates or progressive BPH, vaporizes extra tissue, offering quick and lasting symptom relief.
These treatments are outpatient procedures with a short recovery time.
Get Relief for Prostate Enlargement
If you’re experiencing uncomfortable urinary symptoms, it’s important to act and find the right solution for you.
Call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists to explore your treatment options and get relief!