When the prostate begins to squeeze the urethra,symptoms begin to appear. Imagine a pinched hose, or straw.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment options for BPH Self Assessment Test

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Prostate Enlargement from the NIH

Since the urethra is surrounded by the enlarging prostate, it becomes increasingly difficult to empty your bladder during urination.

Because your bladder is never completely emptied, you begin to have the urge to urinate more often.

Some men begin to avoid long car rides, unless there are many rest-room stops along the way. Most men report that they are getting up several times during the night to urinate. Some men also have difficulty in starting to urinate, or in stopping the flow of urine.

Symptoms

• Nocturia (getting up several times a night to urinate)
• Thin, weak urinary stream
• Sudden or frequent need to urinate
• Dribbling after you think you have finished urinating
• Difficulty starting urination
• Need to strain or push bladder to urinate
• Feeling that you have to urinate again immediately after you have finished voiding