Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Care Instructions
Your Care Instructions
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland that makes some of the fluid in semen. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as they age. It is usually not serious. BPH does not cause prostate cancer.
As the prostate gets bigger, it may partly block the flow of urine. You may have a hard time getting a urine stream started or completely stopped. You may have a weak urine stream, or you may have to urinate more often than you used to, especially at night. Most men find these problems easy to manage.
You do not need treatment unless your symptoms bother you a lot or you have other problems, such as bladder infections or stones. In these cases, medicines may help. Surgery is not needed unless the urine flow is blocked or the symptoms do not get better with medicine.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Urinate as much as you can, relax for a few moments, and then try to urinate again.
- Sit on the toilet to urinate.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol. These drinks will increase how often you need to urinate.
- Many over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines can make the symptoms of BPH worse. Avoid antihistamines, decongestants, and allergy pills, if you can. Read the warnings on the package.
- If you take any prescription medicines such as muscle relaxants, pain medicines, or medicines for depression or anxiety, ask your doctor or pharmacist if they can cause urination problems.
When should you call for help?
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You cannot urinate at all.
- You have symptoms of a urinary infection. For example:
- You have blood or pus in your urine.
- You have pain in your back just below your rib cage. This is called flank pain.
- You have a fever, chills, or body aches.
- It hurts to urinate.
- You have groin or belly pain.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- It hurts when you ejaculate.
- Your urinary problems get a lot worse or bother you a lot.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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Current as of: November 15, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
