The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces the majority of the ejaculatory fluid. It encompasses the urethra, the vessel that carries the urine from the bladder. The cause of prostate enlargement is unknown, but common in men. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, notes that at least mild prostate enlargement is present in many men over age 40, but that increases to more than 90 percent of men over the age of 80. Due to the position of the prostate, most adverse effects of enlargement involve the genitourinary system.
Inability to Urinate
An enlarged prostate, often called benign prostatic hyperplasia, grows slowly as men age and only causes symptoms when it starts to put pressure on the urethra. Eventually, it could completely occlude the urethra such that urine is unable to flow from the bladder, which is a painful condition called urinary retention. This is a rare adverse effect and, potentially, a medical emergency. Sometimes the inability to urinate is transitory, and accomplished with great straining or a time delay of a few minutes.
No Control of Urination
A more common adverse effect with progressive prostate enlargement is a lack of control of emptying the bladder, which is called incontinence. Incontinence can be socially very embarrassing and force a sufferer to alter their lifestyle as a result. A lesser form of incontinence is partial dribbling of urine, either at the initiation stage or at the end of urination. The MayoClinic.com notes that only about half of men with prostate enlargement experience noticeable symptoms.
Increased Urge to Urinate
One of the first symptoms experienced with benign prostatic hyperplasia is an increased urge to urinate, especially during the night. Often the urge is not followed by a complete emptying of the bladder, or sometimes, not even initiation of urination. There could be cause for concern if the need to urinate increases to two or more times per night. During the daytime, an enlarged prostate could cause a strong and sudden urge to urinate, making it difficult to get to a bathroom in time.
Pain with Urination
Pain with urination can occur with benign prostate enlargement, but it is usually a sign of an infection or a cancerous process, especially if there is blood or pus in the urine. The pain is deep inside the pelvis and usually diffuse in nature. It is important to note that benign prostate enlargement is not cancer, nor does it raise the risks of prostate cancer.
Infections
Sometimes prostate glands become enlarged due to infections, in which case deep pelvic pain would be common and stabbing in nature. An infected and inflamed prostate would also make sitting uncomfortable and produce pus and/or blood in the urine. A benign hypertrophied prostate can cause infections in the urinary tract and within the bladder due to restricting the normal flow of urine. Infections are more common with advanced prostate enlargements.
Back and Side Pain
Another adverse effect with advanced prostate enlargement is referral pain, usually to the low back, the side flanks and/or the lower abdomen. The cause of referral pain is not well understood, but may be caused by increasing pressure on nerves by a growing prostate gland, or the back pressure from urinary retention.
