5 Signs of an Enlarged Prostate

Men often notice gradual changes in their urinary habits as they get older. Maybe the stream isn’t as strong as before, or you have to get up several times during the night. These changes often point to a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

BPH occurs when your prostate gland enlarges with age. The prostate sits just below your bladder and surrounds the urethra — the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the gland grows, it can squeeze the urethra and interfere with the normal flow of urine.

At Golden Gate Urology in Berkeley, California, we see this every day. Many men initially assume their symptoms are simply part of aging, but urinary changes are worth discussing. 

Here are five signs that BPH may be affecting your urinary function.

1. Frequent urination, especially at night

One of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms is the need to urinate more often. Many men wake up multiple times at night or must plan their day around bathroom access.

These issues occur because your bladder becomes more sensitive when it must work harder to push urine past the narrowed urethra. Even when the bladder isn’t full, your body may still signal the urge to urinate.

2. A weak urine stream

If your urine stream seems slower or weaker than it once did, prostate enlargement may be why. As the prostate presses on the urethra, the passageway for urine narrows. The bladder muscle must exert more pressure to move urine through that space, often reducing the flow.

3. Difficulty emptying the bladder

Some men notice that even after urinating, their bladder still feels full. When the prostate obstructs urine flow, the bladder may not empty completely. Residual urine can create the sensation that another trip to the bathroom is needed shortly afterward.

4. Trouble starting urination

Another common symptom is hesitancy — the delay between when you try to urinate and when the stream begins. This delay happens because the bladder must overcome the resistance created by the enlarged prostate before urine can flow through the urethra.

5. A urine stream that stops and starts

Instead of flowing steadily, urine may start and stop several times during one trip to the bathroom. This interrupted flow often occurs when your bladder struggles to push urine past the narrowed urethra, causing the stream to pause and restart.

Why you shouldn’t ignore these symptoms 

BPH isn’t prostate cancer, but untreated symptoms can gradually affect your bladder health. Complications may include:

Urinary retention

In some cases, the bladder can’t empty at all, which can be painful and may require urgent medical treatment.

Recurrent urinary tract infections

When urine remains in your bladder after voiding, bacteria can multiply more easily, increasing your risk of infection.

Bladder damage

Your bladder muscle may become thicker and weaker over time as it constantly works against the obstruction.

Bladder stones

Concentrated urine left in your bladder can lead to mineral buildup and stone formation.

Addressing symptoms early can help prevent these issues and restore more comfortable urinary function.

How Golden Gate Urology can help

Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating BPH. Many men arrive feeling frustrated or even embarrassed about their symptoms, but urinary changes are common — and treatable.

Medications can help relax prostate tissue or slow further growth. However, bothersome or persistent symptoms may require a minimally invasive procedure to provide lasting relief.

Treatment options available at Golden Gate Urology include:

UroLift®

This minimally invasive treatment gently lifts and holds enlarged prostate tissue away from your urethra, opening the urinary channel without removing tissue.

Rezum™

This therapy uses targeted water vapor (steam) to shrink excess prostate tissue, relieve pressure on the urethra, and improve urine flow.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

TURP is a long-established surgical approach that removes obstructing prostate tissue through the urethra to restore urine flow.

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP)

PVP, or laser prostate surgery, uses laser energy to vaporize excess tissue blocking the urethra.

The right option depends on your symptoms, prostate size, overall health, and personal preferences.

If you experience symptoms of an enlarged prostate, contact Golden Gate Urology by phone or online today.