The prostate is a male gland located beneath the bladder that is responsible for producing semen. The average prostate grows through childhood from the size of a pea to the size of a walnut. However, in the middle years of life, the prostate can begin growing once again, and the enlarged prostate can be a problem for men when symptoms become acute. Because the prostate surrounds the urethra, many of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate involve the urinary tract and may include difficulty emptying the bladder completely and a frequent need to urinate. In some cases, the symptoms get in the way of daily life, prompting many men to seek treatment.
Is it Serious?
In some cases, an enlarged prostate is not a serious problem, nor is it an indication of more serious problems to come. In other cases, it is a sign of something more serious, like bladder stones or prostate cancer. For this reason, it is important to see a doctor if you experience any changes to your urinary habits, so that other issues can be safely ruled out. Once you know that your enlarged prostate is not a sign of another medical problem, you and your doctor can decide whether to pursue treatment and what type of treatment might be most effective for your individual situation.
Many men will suffer enlarged prostate symptoms that are severe enough to seek treatment. Symptoms cannot be predicted by how large a prostate grows, since some men with extremely large prostates will experience few symptoms and others with relatively small growth will have more problems. Instead, it depends on the location of the growth, and whether the enlarged prostate area is interfering with the function of the urethra and bladder. Treatment will depend on the age of the patient, the severity of the symptoms and the preferences of the patient and doctor.
The most common types of treatment for an enlarged prostate are either medication or surgery. While surgery is more invasive and carries more risk, this is often the most effective and permanent choice. However, medication is often tried first, especially in a patient who doesn't have severe symptoms at the present time. If medication does not adequately treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, surgery can usually become a second choice.
An enlarged prostate is not necessarily a serious problem, but it does warrant a call to your doctor. Once more serious diseases have been ruled out, you and your doctor can work together to determine whether treatment is justified and which type of treatment might be best.
