Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called an enlarged prostate, is incredibly common, especially among men over 40. While it’s not the same as prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate can cause significant quality-of-life issues.
Dr. Scott Cheney, a Mayo Clinic urologist, says there are ways to treat it and reduce the symptoms, including some lifestyle changes.
“I like to tell patients that the prostate is kind of like an orange with a straw going right through the middle of it,” Cheney said. “And as we age, the prostate gets larger and larger. And the straw going through the middle gets compressed by the tissue of the prostate, makes it harder for the bladder to push urine through the urethra.”
Enlarged prostate symptoms can include frequent or urgent urination, a weak urine stream and the inability to empty the bladder.