An enlarged prostate gland is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia. The prostate gland is responsible for producing semen and transporting urine out of the bladder. This condition is very common in men over the age of 60. The prostate gland is surrounded by a layer of tissue. As this gland enlarges during normal growth periods, the tissue expands. In the case of an enlarged prostate, for reasons not well understood, this tissue does not expand. This causes the gland to press into the bladder. If you notice the signs or symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, see your doctor. Enlarged prostate gland symptoms are the same as the symptoms of prostate cancer. Your doctor will need to do a full exam to diagnose you correctly.
Frequent Urination
Ceders Sinai states that a common symptom of an enlarged prostate gland is feeling the need to urinate frequently and urgently. This urge may interrupt your sleep, and you may have to get up frequently during the night. This occurs due to the pressure the prostate gland is placing on your bladder. Instead of only needing to go when the bladder is full, you may need to urinate when the bladder only contains small amounts of urine.
Inability to Empty or Control the Bladder
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, even though you feel the need to urinate, you may have a weak stream. An inability to initiate or stop urination is another common problem. An enlarged prostate gland may interfere with the ability to completely empty the bladder. You may still feel the need to urinate, even after you have gone. In some cases it can also cause you to leak urine during the day and at night.
Acute Urinary Retention
If your condition is severe you may develop acute urinary retention, or the inability to urinate. Having an enlarged prostate also places you at a higher risk of bladder infections, urinary tract infections and damage to the bladder and kidneys. The good news is that if this condition is caught early on, complications can usually be prevented.
