Prostate Health
Prostate Enlargement and Male Urinary Symptoms (LUTS)
Prostate enlargement (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous condition where the prostate grows as you age. It can squeeze the tube you pee through, making it harder to empty your bladder. It is not cancer and doesn’t increase your cancer risk.
Key Takeaways
- Prostate enlargement (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous condition where the prostate grows as you age. It can squeeze the tube you pee through, making it harder to empty your bladder. It is not cancer and doesn’t increase your cancer risk.
- We offer specialist diagnostics and treatments. Book a consultation to discuss your options.
Clinical Overview
Understanding Prostate Enlargement and Male Urinary Symptoms (LUTS)
Prostate enlargement, known medically as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a very common part of getting older for most men. The prostate is a small gland that sits around the urethra—the tube that carries pee out of your body.
As the prostate grows larger, it can begin to press against and pinch this tube, like a kink in a garden hose. This makes it much harder for the bladder to push urine out. Over time, your bladder wall may become thicker and weaker because it is working so hard, which can lead to the feeling that you haven't fully emptied your bladder.
It is important to remember that BPH is not cancer. Having an enlarged prostate does not mean you are more likely to develop prostate cancer, although the two conditions can sometimes happen at the same time.
What to Look For
Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors
01
Common Symptoms
Feeling a sudden, urgent need to pee.
Needing to pee more often during the day.
Waking up several times at night to use the toilet (nocturia).
Difficulty starting to pee or having to strain.
A weak or "stop-start" flow of urine.
Dribbling into your underwear after you think you've finished.
Feeling like your bladder is still full after peeing.
02
When to Seek Help
Acute Urinary Retention: Suddenly being completely unable to pass any urine at all. This is a medical emergency.
Blood in your pee: This should always be checked by a doctor to rule out other issues.
Pain and Fever: If peeing is painful and you feel shivery or unwell, you may have a kidney or bladder infection.
Persistent back pain: If combined with urinary issues, it’s best to get a professional assessment.
03
Potential Causes
Ageing: It is very rare in men under 40, but affects about half of men by age 60.
Hormonal Changes: As men age, the balance of hormones (like testosterone and oestrogen) changes, which can trigger cell growth in the prostate.
DHT Levels: An increase in a specific hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is thought to encourage prostate cells to multiply.
04
Risk Factors
Increased Age: The risk rises significantly after age 50.
Family History: If your father or brother had BPH, you may be more likely to develop it.
Health Conditions: Men with obesity, diabetes, or heart disease tend to have a higher risk.
Lifestyle: A lack of physical activity can sometimes make symptoms feel more severe.
Importance of Diagnosis
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
BPH isn’t usually life-threatening, but it can significantly impact your daily life, disrupting your sleep and making it difficult to travel or socialise without worrying about the nearest toilet. If left untreated for a long time, the constant pressure can lead to permanent bladder damage or even kidney problems.
Getting a proper diagnosis from a GP or urologist is vital. It ensures that your symptoms are caused by BPH and not something else, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), a narrowing of the tube (stricture), or prostate cancer. Once confirmed, you can start a treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle.
Importance of Diagnosis
Diagnostic Options & Investigations
To accurately identify the cause of your symptoms, our specialists use a range of targeted investigations. Explore the diagnostic tests below to understand how we confirm a diagnosis and plan your recovery.
Living With Condition
Living With Prostate Enlargement and Male Urinary Symptoms (LUTS)
- Lifestyle Modifications
- Medication Management
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Laser Surgery
Many men manage mild symptoms with simple lifestyle changes and exercises. This includes cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening, as these can irritate the bladder. Pelvic floor exercises and bladder re-training may address habitual symptoms.
If your symptoms get worse, your doctor can adjust your medication—such as alpha-blockers to relax the muscle or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to actually shrink the size of the gland over time. Medication can also attach to the bladder receptors to reduce urgency.
Interventions aim at reducing the pressure of the prostate onto the urethra. Some less invasive procedures are helpful in mild to moderate disease. Procedures to remove the core of the prostate have some less desirable side-effects but are more complete and durable.
Short-Term Complications
03- Sudden inability to pee: Requiring a temporary catheter to drain the bladder.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Because old urine stays in the bladder, bacteria can grow.
- Bladder Stones: Small hard deposits that can cause further blockage or pain.
Long-Term Complications
03- Kidney Damage: Pressure from a backed-up bladder can eventually strain the kidneys.
- Atonic Bladder: The bladder muscle becomes so stretched that it can no longer squeeze properly.
- Chronic Haematuria: Repeatedly seeing blood in the urine due to burst veins in the prostate.
Treatment Options
Treatment Options & Care Pathways
Explore the specialist interventions available for Prostate Enlargement and Male Urinary Symptoms (LUTS). We offer a range of evidence-based treatments designed to address your specific symptoms, focusing on long-term recovery and your personal health goals.
Specialists
Our specialists for Prostate Enlargement and Male Urinary Symptoms (LUTS)
Leading experts for this condition. View profiles to see clinical backgrounds and current availability.
Mr. James ArmitageConsultant Urologist
Mr. Nimish ShahConsultant Urological Surgeon
Professor Christof KastnerAssociate Professor & Consultant Urologist
Mr. Kasra Saeb-ParsyConsultant Urological Surgeon
Mr. Oliver WisemanConsultant Urologist
Mr. David ThurtleConsultant Urological Surgeon
Professor John KellyConsultant Urological Surgeon
Mr. Laurian DragosConsultant Urologist
Mr. Tev AhoConsultant UrologistOur Commitment
Care you can trust
Every step of your care is delivered to the same standard: senior consultants, a personalised plan, and the safety of an accredited private hospital behind you.
Consultant-Led Excellence
Receive evidence-based care delivered by senior NHS consultants in a professional, specialist setting.
Personalised Care Plans
Your consultant will design a bespoke plan tailored to your condition, health goals and lifestyle.
Hospital-Grade Safety
We operate within leading private hospitals, adhering to strict CQC safety and technology standards.
A Heritage of Trust
Our partners bring decades of NHS and private experience, successfully managing thousands of patient cases.
Patient Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about specialist referrals and consultations.
3 questions
No. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous growth. While the symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer can overlap, having an enlarged prostate does not increase your risk of developing cancer. However, both conditions are age-related and can exist at the same time.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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For many men, medication is the first line of defense. Alpha-blockers can relax the bladder neck muscles to make urination easier, while 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can actually shrink the prostate over time. If medication fails to provide relief or causes side effects like dizziness, surgical options are then considered.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) is effective for prostates of any size. Compared to traditional surgery (TURP), it offers less bleeding, a shorter hospital stay (often overnight), and a faster removal of the urinary catheter. It is particularly beneficial for men on blood-thinning medications.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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