I recently had my prostate examined, and the doctor told me that it was enlarged, but at this point not enough to need to do something about it (They told me that it was approximately double the normal size!)
I got the message that it was not a question about having to do something about it, but more of when. When I asked, when they thought this would be the right time, I was told, that when it becomes a problem
My question is, when do you consider a prostate enlargement, a problem. Sure peeing more often, and it taking longer time, is an inconvenience but not a problem as such.
What are your suggestions?
Peeing more often will become a problem over time as essentially you’re not emptying your bladder completely each time.
If you’re prostate is enlarged then the first step is lifestyle changes to mitigate against the enlargement. That includes drinking less alcohol and less before bed, but also importantly losing weight if over weight and improving your diet to try and slow the increase in size. The evidence isn’t great on preventing enlargement but prostate enlargement is associated with being overweight and poor diet.
Medication becomes needed if you start getting more severe symptoms. You could choose to take these earlier but they have side effects.
Finally if all else fails then surgery is needed to debulk the prostate. That is worth avoiding as much as possible due to the side effects - so lifestyle changes and earlier use of medication when it becomes needed are the best wya forward.
awesome thanks! Yeah they did check that my bladder does not empty completely. I have aprox 100ml left. I don’t drink much alcohol, am not fat but could probably improve diet. It’s strange that the doctor has not mentioned any of this, but maybe they compare to more severe cases and think that this is nothing important.
At the moment I “only” need to get up once or twice a night. That i think is manageable and only a minor inconvenience
Go to another doctor. I’m about the same level of prostate problems and I’m on pills and urologist checkups every 4 months.
Oh wow! Ill check up on that! Thanks!
What are the side effects of the surgery?
Im 32 and same issue. Went to doctor for an ultrasound because im a pilot and cant pee at work. I since learnt to sit down to pee, lean forward, and push into your bladder with your fingers. You can even kindve do it when standing up. I end up doing a second wee. This takes a few seconds longer and its helped me so much in life.
I dont have an answer to the question though haha
oh yeah - the sitting is a good tip! for me it was mainly because the lack of pressure would result in an “unreliable trajectory” so its just to be safe. But it is a better way to empty ones bladder for sure! Also a light tug at the balls to pull them forward, in order to get those last few drops that kind of sneak out once you have zipped your trousers…
Good info!
Was the exam with a general practitioner, or a urologist?
If a GP, I’d get checked by a urologist.
If a urologist, I’d probably ask for more information. I would want to know of any specific symptoms that might be treated as early warning signs, as well as organising an ongoing schedule of check-ups to monitor the size. It would be worth asking about treatment options as well.
This was at an urologist. The did not seem overly excited, so I assumed that this was more or less normal, or at least a normal process of a patient who would need help at some point. They basically told me to come back when it becomes a problem, and thus my post here LOL
The only problems for now, are that I have to get up at night maybe 1-2 times, and that it takes longer to pee (also that I can’t empty my bladder completely)
One issue often overlooked with prostate enlargement is Nykturia. Nykturia causes sleep deprivation, sleep deprivation causes scores of other problems from cardiac issues to psychosis. I’d say ~ 3 times getting up during the night might be tolerable for most peope, > 5 times will cause problems.
Yeah - I mentioned in an other comment that my 24hour shifts force me to get up anything between 5-20 times a night when I am at work. I only work few shifts though, but they still affect the way I sleep when I am off work. I was recently able to adjust some things at work, that now let me sleep more, and only get up maybe 4-6 times a night so things are getting better, but I also really do notice how it has improved my life outside work too! Sleep is very important!
