|Around 40% (4 in 10) of men aged 60 years or over will suffer
from annoying urinary symptoms, some of which will significantly
affect their quality of life. The risk of getting such symptoms
increases with age and is usually caused by enlargement of the
prostate (known as benign prostatatic hyperplasia BPH). You will
see from the diagram that the urethra (waterpipe) passes through
the prostate so that as the gland enlarges the flow of urine is
blocked. To overcome this, the bladder muscle works harder than
normal to force the urine out. This leads to some or all of the
symptoms listed below. It also makes it more difficult for a man
to empty his bladder completely. Symptoms associated with an
enlarged prostate: - A weak stream of urine. - Difficulty
starting the flow of urine and needing to strain. - Frequent
visits to the toilet to pass urine. - Stopping and starting
during the flow. - Urgency - needing to rush to the toilet and
being unable to hold on. - Getting up frequently during the
night to pass urine