As men get older, they can start to get prostate problems, especially as they reach their 50s. The prostate starts to increase in size, and in many men, it becomes swollen or permanently enlarged.
There are various prostate conditions, and here are the most common, from least to most serious.
Enlarged Prostate
Prostate enlargement is very common, with more than 35% of men having this problem at some point. No-one knows why this enlargement happens, but it doesn’t appear to be caused by any illness.
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it squeezes on the urethra and that leads to urination problems including:
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Weak urine flow
- Not being able to empty the bladder
- Prolonged dribbling after you have finished urinating
- Waking up often during the night to have to urinate
An enlarged prostate is not dangerous, but it can be very inconvenient. In severe cases, surgery can be used to reduce prostate size.
Prostatitis
This is a temporary swelling of the prostate that could be caused by an infection, but often there is no obvious cause for the inflammation.
Many of the symptoms are the same as for an enlarged prostate, but sufferers can also feel pain in the hip or genital area. It is often conventionally treated with pain-killers and alpha-blockers that relax the muscles, or special prostate-reducing drugs.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, mainly affecting men over 65. Many of the symptoms are the same as for an enlarged prostate, but if you find any blood in your urine or semen, see a doctor immediately.
Because of the similarity of symptoms, prostate cancer is often not found until it has developed considerably, so men over 50 should ask their doctor about regular tests. If prostate cancer is caught early, it can be controlled and need not be fatal.