# Enlarged Prostate: Early Symptoms and What to Do > Enlarged prostate in men over 50: early symptoms, causes, warning signs, dietary considerations, and advice from Dr. Boris Wydoff. - URL: https://celitel.online/en/blog/adenoma-prostaty-simptomy/ - Author: Dr. Boris Wydoff — https://celitel.online/en/about/ - Published: 2026-11-08 - Language: en An enlarged prostate can develop unnoticed for a long time, but gradually a man may find himself going to the toilet more often, waking up at night, and noticing a weaker urine stream. If these changes appear, don't wait for things to get worse: see a urologist. Let's look at what an enlarged prostate is, why it develops, which signs deserve attention, and what I recommend in everyday life. ## What Is an Enlarged Prostate and Why Does It Develop? An enlarged prostate is commonly referred to as benign enlargement of the prostate gland. In medical practice, the term "benign prostatic hyperplasia" is also used. The prostate is located below the bladder and plays a role in producing seminal fluid. The urethra, or urinary passage, runs through it. When the gland enlarges, it can press against the urethra. This makes it harder for urine to pass, so a man begins to notice changes in his usual urination pattern. For example, the stream gradually becomes weaker, he has to wait longer for it to start, and even after going to the toilet, he may still feel that his bladder is full. The condition is most common after the age of 50, and the likelihood of developing it increases with age. Why does prostate enlargement occur? Doctors consider age-related changes in hormone levels to be one of the main suspected causes. The likelihood of an enlarged prostate is also higher in men over 50 and in those whose close relatives have experienced a similar problem. However, an enlarged prostate is not prostate cancer. Benign prostate enlargement does not in itself mean that a man has cancer, and it does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, similar urinary problems can occur with other conditions, so it is not possible to distinguish between them on your own. ## What Early Signs Should Men Watch Out For? Enlarged prostate symptoms in men usually develop gradually, and at first they may be quite subtle. A man simply notices that he visits the toilet more often or has to wait longer for urination to begin. Sometimes he puts this down to age and pays little attention to the changes. One of the most common early signs is frequent urination. This is especially troublesome when a man has to get up at night. A full night's sleep becomes difficult, fatigue appears in the morning, and during the day he may feel less energetic. If waking up at night becomes a regular occurrence, it is more than just an inconvenience: it is a reason to pay attention to the health of the urinary system. There are several other characteristic signs: - **Difficulty starting urination.** You may have to wait for a while or strain before the urine stream begins. - **A weaker urine stream.** Urine flows slowly, and sometimes the stream stops and starts again. - **A feeling that the bladder is still full.** Even after going to the toilet, it may seem that the bladder has not emptied completely. - **Dribbling after urination.** A few drops may come out after a man has finished urinating. - **Sudden urges to urinate.** The need to go to the toilet becomes urgent, and sometimes a man has to find a place to urinate without delay. - **Longer urination.** A process that used to be quick now takes more time. Not all of these signs have to be present. One man may first notice nighttime urination, another a weak stream, and a third a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely. So it is not worth judging the situation by the number of symptoms alone: even one persistent change in normal urination deserves attention. Symptoms can also vary in severity. An enlarged prostate does not always mean serious urinary problems, and the intensity of symptoms does not accurately indicate the size of the gland. Even one persistent symptom is therefore a reason to find out what is causing it, but it is not a basis for diagnosing yourself. ## How Can You Tell the Difference Between an Enlarged Prostate, Prostatitis, and Cancer? Men often try to identify a condition based on the type of discomfort they experience. For example, they may assume that a weak urine stream always indicates an enlarged prostate, while pain means inflammation. In practice, things are more complicated. With benign prostate enlargement, the main complaints are usually related to urination. However, difficulty starting, frequent urges, and a weaker stream can also occur with other diseases of the urinary tract. Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition of the prostate gland. Depending on its form, it can cause pain, discomfort, and urinary problems. But the presence or absence of pain alone cannot reliably distinguish inflammation from prostate enlargement. Prostate cancer also requires particular attention. In its early stages, it may cause no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, some of them can resemble those of an enlarged prostate. That is why frequent trips to the toilet should not automatically be taken as a sign of a benign condition. The absence of pain does not rule out a serious disease either. How is the diagnosis made? The doctor asks the man about his symptoms, finds out how often he urinates, and performs an examination if necessary. A digital rectal examination may be used to assess the condition of the prostate. A urine test and a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may also be recommended. Depending on the situation, further tests may include measuring urine flow rate, an ultrasound examination of the bladder, or cystoscopy, which allows the doctor to examine the inside of the bladder. The results are assessed together rather than relying on a single measurement. Even if urination has become noticeably more frequent, this does not replace a proper examination. So it is not advisable to diagnose yourself based on one symptom or the result of a single test. ## What Can You Change in Your Diet and Daily Habits? When a man notices the first signs of prostate enlargement, he often starts looking for a special diet. Questions arise: what should you avoid eating with an enlarged prostate, which foods are suitable, and what should you drink to avoid making the discomfort worse? There is no universal list of foods that can eliminate benign prostate enlargement. However, certain habits may affect how severe urinary symptoms become. That is why it is useful to observe which drinks or times of day are associated with particularly frequent urges. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks, in particular, can increase urination. So it is worth paying attention to how much coffee, strong tea, and alcohol you consume, especially if you notice that you need to urinate more often after drinking them. If a man notices this connection, it makes sense to reconsider his habits and discuss the symptoms with a doctor. Fluid intake is equally important. Some men, tired of waking up at night, start drastically restricting their water intake. This is not the best solution: drinking too little can contribute to problems, including urinary tract infections. It is more sensible to reduce the amount you drink immediately before bedtime while maintaining adequate fluid intake throughout the day. There are several other everyday habits worth considering: - **Make sure you get enough fiber.** Vegetables, fruit, and other fiber-rich foods help prevent constipation. Constipation can increase pressure on the bladder, so including a variety of fiber-rich foods is important for everyday comfort. - **Maintain a healthy weight.** Excess body weight can make the symptoms of an enlarged prostate worse. Weight management is therefore one habit worth paying attention to. - **Take your time when urinating.** Try to relax, avoid straining, and do not attempt to speed up the process by using force. Relaxed urination is preferable to trying to get results through straining. - **Try urinating twice.** After finishing, wait a little and calmly try to empty your bladder again. This technique may be useful for men who continue to feel that their bladder has not emptied completely. - **Review the medications you take.** Some medicines prescribed for other conditions can affect urination. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist, but do not stop taking anything on your own. If the urinary problems are pronounced, changing habits alone may not be enough. Depending on the situation, your doctor may recommend monitoring, medication, or surgery. The choice depends on the symptoms, examination results, and how much the problem interferes with everyday life. ## What Do I Recommend When the First Signs of an Enlarged Prostate Appear? **Don't ignore changes in urination.** I also recommend paying attention to discomfort in the groin, perineum, and lower back. In my experience, it is important to notice these changes as early as possible rather than waiting until they seriously interfere with everyday life. Modern medicine emphasizes that these symptoms can occur not only with an enlarged prostate but also with prostatitis and other urinary tract conditions. **Pay attention to blood circulation in the pelvic area.** In my books, I associate prostate conditions, including benign enlargement, with venous congestion. I consider prolonged physical strain and certain aspects of intimate life to be possible factors contributing to this congestion. That is why I believe it is important to avoid a consistently sedentary lifestyle and sitting for long periods without breaks. At the same time, I want to emphasize that this is my theory about the origins of the condition, not a medically established mechanism of benign prostate enlargement. **Don't forget about zinc and selenium in your diet.** In my discussions of prostate conditions, I pay particular attention to minerals. I associate chronic zinc deficiency with unfavorable changes in the prostate, while I consider selenium an important element in overall metabolism. That is why I recommend paying attention to variety in your everyday diet. However, medicine does not consider zinc or selenium deficiency a proven cause of prostate enlargement, nor is taking these substances regarded as a treatment for an enlarged prostate. **Learn about the traditional use of bee products, but don't confuse it with medical treatment.** That is precisely why I believe this historical experience deserves attention. However, the existence of such accounts does not prove that pollen or propolis is effective in treating an enlarged prostate. Most importantly, when the first signs of urinary problems appear, I recommend not relying on your own observations alone. A urological examination is necessary to establish the cause of the symptoms and determine the appropriate treatment in good time. ## How Is an Enlarged Prostate Treated, and Is Surgery Always Necessary? The question "Enlarged prostate: what should I do and how is it treated?" comes up for almost every man who receives this diagnosis for the first time. But there is no single solution that works for every patient. The approach depends on the severity of the symptoms, the examination results, and how much the urinary problems affect everyday life. If symptoms are mild and barely interfere with daily activities, the doctor may recommend monitoring the condition and changing certain habits. This does not mean that the problem is being ignored. The man's condition is monitored so that any deterioration can be identified in time. It is important to tell the doctor if nighttime waking becomes more frequent, the urine stream gets weaker, or new symptoms appear. For moderate or severe urinary problems, medication may be prescribed. Some medicines help make urination easier, others reduce the frequency and urgency of the need to urinate, while others act on the processes involved in prostate enlargement. Each option has its own characteristics and possible side effects, which the doctor discusses with the patient. If medication does not produce the desired results or the urinary problems become severe, surgery may be considered. One common procedure is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). During this procedure, some of the enlarged tissue is removed using a thin instrument inserted through the urethra. Other procedures are also available, including laser treatments and techniques involving special implants. The appropriate option depends on the individual situation. The final decision is made after assessing the patient's condition and discussing the benefits and possible risks. Do not choose treatment on your own based on advice from friends or descriptions you find online. Even if two men have the same symptoms, the causes and the medical care they need may be different. What is sufficient for one patient, such as monitoring, may not be enough for another. ## When to See a Doctor There are situations in which you should not delay seeking medical attention. **First, signs that require urgent medical attention:** - A man is completely unable to urinate despite having a strong urge. - Blood appears in the urine. It may be visible as a pink, red, or brownish discoloration. - Urination is accompanied by pain. If you are unable to urinate, you need emergency medical care. Blood in the urine and painful urination also require prompt medical assessment, even if the discomfort later subsides. Do not wait for these symptoms to disappear on their own or assume that they are simply caused by an enlarged prostate. **When to schedule a routine appointment:** - It has become harder to start urinating. - You have to go to the toilet more often than usual. - Waking up at night to urinate is interfering with a full night's sleep. - The urine stream has become noticeably weaker or starts and stops. - You continue to feel that your bladder is full after going to the toilet. - A few drops of urine leak out after you finish urinating. Even if the symptoms do not cause significant discomfort, it is worth discussing them with a doctor. The cause may be something other than benign prostate changes, including more serious conditions. You do not need to wait until several symptoms appear at once or begin to seriously interfere with everyday life. There is no need to feel embarrassed about telling your urologist how often you urinate, how many times you wake up at night, or about any other details. For a specialist, this is a routine part of a medical examination. The more accurately a man describes what he is experiencing, the easier it is for the doctor to determine which tests are needed. You can read more about how I approach this subject on the "[Men's Health](/health/muzhskoe-zdorove/)" page. ## Editorial Note This article has been prepared using the books of Dr. Boris Wydoff and medical reference sources. The author's personal views presented here are distinguished from generally accepted medical information. This material is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor's consultation, medical diagnosis, or prescribed treatment. Medical information: [NHS (National Health Service, UK)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-enlargement/). ## FAQ **Q: What is an enlarged prostate in simple terms?** A: It is a benign enlargement of the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder. As the gland grows, it can press against the urethra that passes through it and make it harder for urine to flow. An enlarged prostate is not prostate cancer. **Q: What are the first symptoms of an enlarged prostate?** A: Most often, a man notices more frequent urges to urinate, including at night, a weaker urine stream, and difficulty starting urination. He may also feel that his bladder has not emptied completely or notice a few drops of urine after going to the toilet. Not all these signs have to occur at the same time. **Q: Can an enlarged prostate develop without pain?** A: Yes. Often, the first signs are simply changes in urination: a man visits the toilet more frequently, wakes up at night, or notices that his urine stream has become weaker. The absence of pain does not rule out the condition and does not allow you to determine the cause of the problems on your own. **Q: What foods should you avoid with an enlarged prostate?** A: There is no universal list of prohibited foods that can affect benign prostate enlargement. However, alcohol and caffeinated drinks can worsen urinary symptoms, so it is worth paying attention to coffee, strong tea, and alcoholic drinks. It is particularly important to notice whether the urge to urinate becomes more frequent after consuming them. **Q: What can you eat if you have an enlarged prostate?** A: It is helpful to maintain a varied everyday diet that includes vegetables, fruit, and other fiber-rich foods. Dietary fiber helps prevent constipation, which can increase pressure on the bladder. However, a special diet alone cannot eliminate benign prostate enlargement. **Q: Can an enlarged prostate be treated without surgery?** A: In some cases, monitoring and changes to everyday habits may be sufficient. If necessary, a doctor may prescribe medication. The choice depends on the severity of the symptoms, examination results, and how much the urinary problems interfere with daily life. Surgery is considered when medication does not help or the problems become severe. **Q: What is the difference between an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer?** A: An enlarged prostate is a benign increase in the size of the prostate gland, while cancer is a different disease. However, some symptoms can overlap, and prostate cancer may cause no noticeable signs in its early stages. That is why these conditions cannot be distinguished by how often you urinate or by the strength of your urine stream. Medical testing is necessary. **Q: What should a man do if he has a weak urine stream?** A: He should see a urologist, especially if the stream gradually becomes weaker, urination is difficult, or he continues to feel that his bladder has not emptied completely. The doctor will assess the symptoms and may recommend a urine test, a blood test for PSA, and other examinations. If a man is completely unable to urinate, emergency medical care is necessary. _Educational content; it does not replace medical advice._