BPH means the prostate is bigger than it should be. It’s common in men over 50 and usually not cancer. Still, an enlarged prostate can make everyday life annoying — weak stream, getting up at night, dribbling, or feeling like you can’t empty your bladder. The good news: many options help, from small lifestyle changes to medicine or simple procedures.
Watch for these signs: slow urine stream, starting trouble, stopping and starting, needing to go more often, getting up several times at night, leaking, or feeling like you didn’t finish. If you suddenly can’t urinate, have severe pain, fever, or blood in urine, go to an emergency room. Those are red flags.
Don’t guess at home. If symptoms bother you or affect sleep, sex, or mood, talk to a doctor. They’ll check your medical history, do a quick exam (including a prostate check), and may run a urine test, blood test or a bladder scan. PSA blood tests can be discussed if needed to screen for prostate cancer, but PSA can rise with BPH too — your doctor will explain this.
First-line steps often start simple. Try cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, especially at night. Limit fluids a couple of hours before bed. Double voiding helps: urinate, wait a minute, then try again. Pelvic floor exercises can improve bladder control for some men.
Medications are common. Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin relax the prostate neck to improve flow — they help fast but can cause dizziness or tiredness. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) shrink the prostate over months and help lower the chance of needing surgery; they can affect libido or ejaculation in some men. Low-dose tadalafil (a daily dose) can also help urinary symptoms for some men. Always talk side effects through with your doctor.
If medicines don’t work or symptoms are severe, there are minimally invasive procedures and surgeries. UroLift and Rezum use tiny implants or steam to open the channel without major surgery. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a longer-standing option and still very effective for many men. Your urologist will explain risks and recovery times.
Some men try supplements like saw palmetto. Evidence is mixed: some people feel better, others don’t. Treat supplements like optional and mention them to your doctor — they can interact with other drugs.
Final note: BPH is manageable. Start with small habit changes and a medical check if symptoms bother you. A short conversation with your doctor will clarify tests and the right treatment path for your life and goals.
