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What are the Symptoms?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects many men as they get older. The problems vary, but typically it becomes difficult to begin urinating and the urinary stream gets progressively weaker. This is because it takes more and more effort to empty the bladder, as the urethra is compressed. At the same time, urination urges become more frequent and it becomes harder to postpone urination. It can become difficult to empty the bladder completely. The side effects of many drugs can make the problem worse. In the case of BPH, the condition worsens gradually, often over a period of several years. The severity of the problem can vary and symptoms can almost disappear at times, only to reoccur later. However, if your symptoms develop rapidly, you should consult a doctor without delay.

The typical symptoms are that:

• You find it difficult to start urinating
• You need to urinate frequently - less than two hours between visits to the toilet
• You cannot wait when you feel the urge to urinate, but must do it immediately
• You feel as if your bladder doesn't empty completely when you urinate
• You have a very weak urinary stream
• You have to strain to urinate
• You experience 'stop-start' urination
• You have to get up often in the night to go to the toilet
• Your urine continues to drip for a time after urination

These problems, however, may not be due to prostate enlargement. Among younger men, it is more common that problems are caused by inflammation of the prostate gland - prostatitis. Bladder control becomes more difficult for men as they age. A weak or stiff bladder can cause the same symptoms as BPH. Neurological diseases or injuries, cerebral hemorrhage, for example, can cause similar problems. There may also be other reasons, such as build up of scar tissue in the neck of the bladder.

Do you feel unsure?

To find out more, do the seven-question test below. It turns your answers into a score that gives a clear indication of how severe your problem is. Select the response from each list that most closely agrees with your experience.