Enlarged prostate

The exact cause of an enlarged prostate isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought you may be more at risk if you:

• are older – as men age, the prostate gland naturally increases in size

• have hormonal changes – such as the balance between testosterone and oestrogen as you age

• have a family history of the condition

• take certain medicines – such as cold and allergy medications and tricyclic antidepressants, sometimes used to treat depression

• have had bladder or kidney stones

• have chronic inflammation – inflammation in the body can lead to increased cell growth and prostate enlargement

• are obese

• aren’t physically active

• eat a diet high in fat and red meat

Your specialist can diagnose an enlarged prostate by asking you about your medical history, your symptoms, and by checking your prostate in a digital rectal exam.

They may also need to run more diagnostic tests, which include:

• a prostate symptoms questionnaire and a bladder diary

• an ultrasound of the urinary tract

• a PSA test or other blood and urine tests

• urinary flow tests

• a prostate biopsy

• a cystoscopy

• an MRI scan

It isn’t always possible to avoid an enlarged prostate, but certain lifestyle changes may help reduce your risk, such as:

• exercising for at least 30 minutes every day

• maintaining normal cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels

• cutting down on alcohol

• keeping to a healthy weight

If left untreated, an enlarged prostate may lead to more serious health conditions and complications, which can include:

• urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• acute urinary retention – this is a medical emergency that needs urgent treatment

• bladder stones – they can cause pain, and frequent UTIs

• kidney damage – this can lead to kidney stones, kidney infections, or even kidney failure

• bladder diverticula – when small pouches form in the bladder wall, which can increase the risk of infections

There are many different ways to treat an enlarged prostate, which can vary depending on how severe your symptoms are. These include:

• watchful waiting – regular monitoring instead of direct intervention, if your symptoms are mild

• lifestyle changes – such as adjusting your fluid intake, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, keeping to a healthy weight, and exercising regularly

• medications – such as alpha-blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors or combination therapy

• minimally invasive treatments – such as prostatic urethral lift, water vapour ablation of the prostate or iTIND

• surgical approaches – such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), laser therapy or aquablation of the prostate

At Welbeck, our men’s health specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.

Can an enlarged prostate cause similar symptoms to prostate cancer?

Many of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate overlap with prostate cancer, such as needing to urinate more often and having trouble urinating. But blood in your urine, weight loss, or pain in your back or bones are signs of prostate cancer only.

How common is an enlarged prostate?

An enlarged prostate is common in men. By age 60, about 50% of people with a prostate will have some signs of it being enlarged. By age 85, about 90% will have symptoms of this condition.

Can an enlarged prostate go back to normal?

In some people with mild symptoms of an enlarged prostate, it goes away without treatment. This is why the first-line approach is often watchful waiting.

Is there a link between diabetes and an enlarged prostate?

Diabetes may increase your risk of an enlarged prostate because high blood sugar and insulin resistance can stimulate prostate cell growth. Diabetes may also make the symptoms of an enlarged prostate worse by damaging the nerves that control your bladder (diabetic neuropathy).