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Prostate Hypertrophy Symptoms

Prostate hypertrophy, more commonly known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is an enlargement of the prostate gland. Often referred to as simply BPH, this growth of the prostate is believed to be linked to hormonal changes that come with age. For the most part, hypertrophy of the prostate isn't necessarily a serious condition. It isn't until the enlargement hinders the process of urination that problems can arise, potentially causing damage to the kidneys and bladder as well as increasing the chances of a urinary tract infection and the development of bladder stones. Depending on the amount of prostate growth, men can begin to experience symptoms of the condition.

  1. Asymptomatic

    • For many men, prostate hypertrophy causes no symptoms at all, especially when the glandular enlargement is relatively small. It isn't until a routine check-up (or the prostate continues to grow) that the condition is detected. Actually, half of the men with this BPH, according to the Mayo Clinic, never realized there was a problem.

    Urinary Consistency

    • With BPH, men can begin to experience a change in urinary consistency. In this situation, you may notice a weaker stream of urine than normal. You may also find that your urine stream periodically stops and then starts again. After you've finished urinating, urine may even continue to dribble from your penis.

    Urinary Frequency

    • Benign prostatic hyperplasia can also cause a change in urinary frequency. With this particular symptom, you may notice an actual increase in your trips to the bathroom. Your need to urinate is essentially greater than normal. However, when you relieve yourself, it may feel as if you're unable to fully empty your bladder.

    Urinary Urgency

    • For some men, hypertrophy of the prostate can change the urgency of urination. When this symptom is present, you'll feel a more urgent or driving need to go to the bathroom. You may still take the same number of bathroom trips and produce the same amount of urine as before the prostate enlargement, but the actual need will hit you faster and be much greater than normal.

    Straining

    • Another potential symptom of prostate enlargement is straining to go to the bathroom. It may take much more effort or force to expel urine, even if you have the urge. This is often accompanied by a difficulty to start going to the bathroom.

    Bleeding

    • It is also possible that BPH can cause some level of bleeding which is usually be seen within the urine. When this happens, your urine can change in color, becoming pink, red or even brown. The darkness of the color is often dependent on the amount of blood in the urine.

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