Many men worry that having an enlarged prostate means they have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This is not the case. The risk of prostate cancer is no greater for men with an enlarged prostate than it is for men without an enlarged prostate.
The prostate is a small gland, located in the pelvis, between the penis and bladder. If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can place pressure on the bladder and the urethra, which is the tube that urine passes through.
In some men, the symptoms are mild and do not need treatment. In others, they can be very troublesome. The cause of prostate enlargement is unknown, but it's believed to be linked to hormonal changes as a man gets older. The balance of hormones in your body changes as you get older and this may cause your prostate gland to grow. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that sits below the bladder.
It surrounds the part of the urethra that extends out of the bottom of the bladder. When the prostate grows bigger, it constricts the urethra so that urine cannot pass through easily, leading to urinary retention.
As men age, their prostates naturally enlarge in what is known as BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia. Men who are 40 and older are more likely to develop it. BPH is not cancerous. But an enlarged prostate causes urinary retention, it can lead to urinary tract problems such as UTIs.
Prostatitis is the swelling and inflammation of the prostate. It can also cause urinary retention because the prostate may swell and block the urethra. Although both BPH and prostatitis can have symptoms of urinary retention , which includes:. If you have suddenly completely lost the ability to urinate, you may be suffering from acute urinary retention and you should seek emergency care.
Although BPH and prostatitis have similar symptoms, they are also different. Sometimes the prostate may not be inflamed at all, but only enlarged. People with prostate cancer often exhibit symptoms of urinary retention and enlarged prostate.
Other symptoms include:. Surgery and radiotherapy that treat prostate cancer can also lead to urinary retention. Since UR can have a variety of underlying causes, it is important to get a medical diagnosis from a doctor. A urinary tract infection can cause swelling that constricts urine flow. Some symptoms of UTI include:. UTI in men is rare compared to women.
CAUTI is often caused by catheter contamination. Using no-touch catheters is also a good idea. An enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. It can also cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems. There are several effective treatments for prostate gland enlargement, including medications, minimally invasive therapies and surgery.
To choose the best option, you and your doctor will consider your symptoms, the size of your prostate, other health conditions you might have and your preferences. The severity of symptoms in people who have prostate gland enlargement varies, but symptoms tend to gradually worsen over time. Common signs and symptoms of BPH include:. The size of your prostate doesn't necessarily determine the severity of your symptoms.
Some men with only slightly enlarged prostates can have significant symptoms, while other men with very enlarged prostates can have only minor urinary symptoms. If you're having urinary problems, discuss them with your doctor. Even if you don't find urinary symptoms bothersome, it's important to identify or rule out any underlying causes.
Untreated, urinary problems might lead to obstruction of the urinary tract. Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your health concerns. Visit Mayo Clinic Men's Health to get started. At normal size, the prostate gland is about the size and shape of a walnut or golf ball.
When enlarged, the prostate may obstruct urine flow from the bladder and out the urethra. The prostate gland is located beneath your bladder. The tube that transports urine from the bladder out of your penis urethra passes through the center of the prostate.
When the prostate enlarges, it begins to block urine flow. Most men have continued prostate growth throughout life. In many men, this continued growth enlarges the prostate enough to cause urinary symptoms or to significantly block urine flow.
It isn't entirely clear what causes the prostate to enlarge. However, it might be due to changes in the balance of sex hormones as men grow older. Most men with an enlarged prostate don't develop these complications.
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