Planning Your Day Around the Bathroom? Your Prostate May Be to Blame

More bathroom trips? A weaker urine stream? Getting up several times a night to urinate? If this sounds familiar, you may be tempted to chalk it up to “just getting older.” But changes in urination can sometimes signal changes in your prostate that are worth discussing with your doctor.

The prostate is a small gland below the bladder that helps make semen. As men age, the prostate naturally tends to grow. In some men, it can become large enough to press on the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. 

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This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called an enlarged prostate. BPH is not prostate cancer, but it can affect your quality of life and, if left untreated, may lead to more serious urinary problems.

What happens to your prostate as you age?

BPH becomes more common as men get older. It affects about half of men over 50 and as many as 90 percent of men over 80.

Signs your prostate may be affecting your urinary health

Talk with your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night.
• A weak or slow urine stream.
• Trouble starting urination.
• Feeling like your bladder hasn't completely emptied.
• Dribbling or leaking after urination.
• A sudden or strong urge to urinate.

These symptoms can have several causes, so don't assume they're caused by BPH. Your healthcare provider can help determine what's behind the changes.

Could you be at higher risk for BPH?

Age is the biggest risk factor, but your chances of developing BPH may also be higher if you:

• Have a family history of BPH.
• Have obesity, Type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
• Don't get enough physical activity.
• Have age-related changes in hormone levels.
• Drink alcohol excessively.

A less-invasive option for an enlarged prostate

If BPH symptoms become bothersome, there are several treatment options. Your care team will work with you to find the approach that best fits your symptoms, needs and goals.

For some, Aquablation® Therapy can provide significant, long-lasting relief with a less-invasive, incision-free approach. This robotic-assisted procedure uses a high-velocity water jet and real-time ultrasound imaging to precisely remove prostate tissue that is blocking urine flow. The goal is to relieve urinary symptoms while preserving urinary control and sexual function.

Talk with your doctor to help determine if Aquablation is right for you based on your symptoms, prostate size, overall health and treatment goals.

Better days — and nights — start here

Changes in urination aren't necessarily something you have to live with as you get older. If you're noticing new or worsening urinary symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider. We understand that talking about urological concerns can feel uncomfortable, and finding the right treatment can feel overwhelming. Our urology team is here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals — including access to the latest treatments and techniques.

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