Q: Why does a man urinate more when he has an enlarged prostate?
A: The prostate is a reproductive gland in men. Its purpose is to produce the fluid (semen) that carries sperm. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. It is quite common for a man’s prostate gland to enlarge as he ages and, with that enlargement, pressure on the urethra increases making it difficult for the bladder to empty completely causing it to refill more quickly. Prostate enlargement is medically known as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), which does not raise a man’s risk for developing prostate cancer. BPH is common, with enlargement present in many men over the age of 40. When a man reaches the age of 80, 90% are diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.
Symptoms include urinary retention, an inability to completely empty the bladder and dribbling. As the disorder progresses, a man may experience pain with urination, blood in the urine, incontinence, a weak stream, and more.
Diagnosis can be made through digital rectal examination, a pressure flow study to measure the pressure in the bladder as a man urinates, or cystoscopy. A PSA blood test and urinalysis or urine culture to check for infection can also be ordered to rule out other causes of frequent urination. Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms and test results. Having said this, most men have tolerable symptoms and prefer what is known as “watchful waiting”, rather than opt for medication or more advanced measures. Longstanding BPH with an increase in symptoms has the ability to lead to urinary stones, urinary tract infections, kidney damage, hematuria and an inability to urinate so if you get to the point that your symptoms worsen, follow up with your primary care physician or a urologist who can get you back on track, so to speak.
On the home front, it is recommended you exercise regularly, avoid alcohol and caffeine – particularly later in the evening, avoid any liquids two hours prior to sleeping, and avoid taking over-the-counter cold and sinus remedies that contain antihistamines or decongestants, as they can increase the symptoms of BPH.
I must mention the well-known herb saw palmetto that has been used for years to reduce the symptoms of BPH. While some studies have shown that it helps, there are other studies that indicate it is no better than a placebo; however, if you feel this is something you want to consider, be sure to speak with your physician for his or her guidance before introducing it into your dietary regime.
Readers who are interested in related information can order Dr. Gott’s Health Report “The Prostate Gland” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order made payable to Dr. Peter Gott, MD Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print out an order form from our website www.AskDrGottMD.com.
