Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Prostate enlargement in BPH is often non uniform, causing irregularity and compression of the urinary tract. This results in obstruction, or blockages, to the path of urine flow which in turn results in problems with emptying urine in the bladder.

Symptoms can vary depending on the degree of obstruction. There may be no bothersome symptoms in very mild cases. With more serious obstruction, affected men may experience symptoms such as:

• Slow urine flow
• Difficulty in passing urine, at times having to strain to expel urine
• Sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
• Frequent urination
• Waking up many times to pass urine at night

In the most severe of cases, BPH can cause complications such as urinary tract infections, blood in urine, bladder stones, inability to pass urine and damage to the kidneys.

It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other urinary tract conditions, including cancerous and non-cancerous ones. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your family physician who may refer you to see a Urologist.