Several types of prostate problems can occur in men, particularly as they age. The first, benign prostatic hyperplasia, causes the prostate gland to enlarge beyond its normal size. This condition occurs far more often than the other major prostate problem in older men---cancer. Another prostate problem, generally for younger men, may be prostatitis, which, the the Mayo Clinic notes, includes several disorders, not all of which medical researchers fully understand.
Urination Difficulties
Any problems in the prostate gland---which surrounds the tube called the urethra, which transports urine from the bladder to the penis---commonly cause problems for men when they try to urinate. Prostatitis can make if difficult to urinate and make urine flow hesitate or dribble. An enlarged prostate can cause these same problems, as well as the stopping and starting of urination. Prostate cancer may cause difficult urination as well.
Weak Urination
A weak stream during urination may indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer, the Mayo Clinic reports. A man may have difficulties focusing the stream of urine, which may increase the time it takes to urinate.
Frequent Urination
Both prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia may induce an increase in the number of times a man needs to urinate. With both problems, this increased urination may occur most frequently at night, a condition known as nocturia. The urgency to urinate may also increase in men with prostatitis.
Pain
Pain in specific areas of the body can indicate prostate problems. Dysuria, or a burning or painful sensation during urination, may occur with prostatitis. This condition may also cause pain during ejaculation, discomfort and pain in the testicles and penis, and pain in the perineum, the area between the rectum and the scrotum. Prostatitis can cause pain in the lower back, in the groin or in the abdominal area as well. Prostate cancer can cause pain in a man's bones or in his pelvic region. Pain usually does not occur as a symptom of prostate enlargement.
Bleeding
Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer may notice blood in their urine, a condition called hematuria, the Mayo Clinic states. Blood may appear in the semen as well in men with prostate cancer.
Infection and Kidney Problems
An enlarged prostate gland may cause an infection in the urinary tract that most often requires antibiotic treatment. This same condition can cause kidney problems. Kidney stones may form, for example, although they typically do not become painful unless they move into the bladder and urethra. The larger size of the prostate may also impair the normal filtration processes of the kidney.
