What it is
Mild symptoms may only need lifestyle changes, such as drinking less in the evening and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol.
Medicines can relax or shrink the prostate. If symptoms are severe, surgery or other procedures can help.
Common signs
- Difficulty starting to pee
- A weak or stop-start flow
- Needing to pee more often, including at night
- Feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully
- Dribbling after peeing
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions and a symptom score
- Rectal examination
- Urine test and PSA blood test after discussion
- Bladder diary and flow tests
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- PSA results over time
- Symptom scores
- Ultrasound and flow test results
- Your medicines and any procedure notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- Should I have a PSA test, and what would it mean?
- Which treatment would suit me?
- What are the side effects of these medicines?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Being suddenly unable to pee, with a painful, swollen bladder: go to an emergency department
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.