The prostate is a gland located below the bladder that surrounds the urethral tube of a man. It secretes fluids to keep sperm healthy and enables ejaculation. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it squeezes the urethral tube and causes urination problems. An enlarged prostate affects nearly all men as they age, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Coffee can worsen the symptoms, as the caffeine acts as a diuretic, causing the frequency of urination to increase.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate has several telltale symptoms including urinating more than twice nightly, incontinence, pain while urinating, blood in urine, straining to urinate, a weak urination stream and dribbling at the end of urination. If you notice any of these symptoms, speak with your health care professional to receive medical assessment and discuss treatment options.
Drinking Coffee
If you have an enlarged prostate, you should avoid consuming coffee, says the Male Health Center. Coffee causes the frequency of urination to increase and can put further strain on an enlarged prostate. Even decaffeinated coffee retains its diuretic properties. Avoid drinking coffee within five hours of when you go to sleep. This decreases the frequency of nighttime urination.
Conclusion
Depending on the severity of the enlarged prostate, which your physician can determine, drinking coffee should be reduced or altogether avoided. Coffee increases your body's output of urine and can make living with an enlarged prostate more uncomfortable than necessary. If you have a severely enlarged prostate, you might need to eliminate caffeine from your diet altogether. However, if the enlarged prostate is minor, consider reducing your intake of coffee to one cup per day.
Warning
Never attempt to self-treat a medical condition. If you suspect you have an enlarged prostate, speak with your physician immediately. Always ask your health care professional before making any changes to your regular diet. If you are concerned about your intake of coffee, talk with your physician about making necessary adjustments to your diet.
