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Enlarged prostate

An enlarged prostate (sometimes called benign prostate enlargement) is when your prostate gets bigger. It's common and is not usually serious, but there are treatments that can help if you need them.

An enlarged prostate is most common in men over 50 years old. It can affect anyone with a prostate.

What the prostate is

The prostate is a small gland below the bladder that makes semen and controls the flow of pee from your bladder to your penis.

If it gets bigger (enlarged) it can put pressure on the tube that carries pee from your bladder (urethra), causing problems with peeing.

Diagram showing the prostate, which is a small gland just under the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, which is a tube from the bladder to the penis.

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate

The main symptoms of an enlarged prostate are problems with peeing, such as:

  • difficulty starting to pee, or having to push or strain to pee
  • a weak flow of pee, stopping and starting, and taking longer than usual to empty your bladder
  • feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
  • dribbling pee after you finish peeing
  • needing to pee more often or urgently, including getting up to pee during the night

The symptoms usually develop slowly, and may gradually get worse as you get older.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you have difficulty peeing or need to pee more frequently

Try not to be embarrassed. The GP will be used to talking about these symptoms.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you have blood in your pee – your pee may look pink, red or brown
  • you have pain when peeing
  • you cannot pee at all

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Important

It's important to get these symptoms checked by a GP because they can sometimes be caused by other more serious conditions, such as prostate cancer.

If they're caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.

How an enlarged prostate is diagnosed

If a GP thinks you could have an enlarged prostate they'll ask about your symptoms, such as how often you pee.

They may ask to examine your tummy (abdomen) and penis, and feel inside your bottom with their finger to check the size of your prostate (rectal examination).

They'll usually ask you to keep a record for at least 3 days of how much you drink, and how often and how much you pee.

Tests the GP might do include:

  • testing a sample of your pee
  • a blood test called a PSA test

They may refer you to a specialist in hospital for more tests, such as:

  • a urine flow test, where you pee into a machine that measures how you pee
  • an ultrasound scan of your bladder
  • a procedure to look inside your bladder with a camera (cystoscopy)

Treatment for an enlarged prostate

An enlarged prostate does not always need treatment. It depends on your symptoms and how they're affecting you.

If your symptoms are not causing many problems, doctors will usually recommend trying lifestyle changes first.

If your symptoms get worse you may need medicines or surgery.

Medicines for an enlarged prostate

If you have moderate or severe symptoms you may be offered medicines for an enlarged prostate, including:

  • medicines that help you to pee, such as tamsulosin, doxazosin or alfuzosin
  • medicines that help with needing to pee more often or more urgently, such as oxybutynin or tolterodine
  • medicines that help stop your prostate growing, by reducing hormone levels, if you're at high risk of your condition getting worse, such as finasteride or dutasteride

These medicines can cause side effects. Your doctor will explain the benefits and possible side effects and help you decide if they are right for you.

You'll have regular check-ups to see how well the medicine is working.

Surgery for an enlarged prostate

You might be offered surgery if medicines have not helped, or your symptoms are severe.

The most common surgery you may be offered for an enlarged prostate is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This involves removing part of your prostate through a thin tube that's passed up your penis to your prostate.

Sometimes you may be offered a different procedure, but they may not be suitable for everyone. They include:

  • removing or destroying part of your prostate using lasers, an electrical current, steam or a jet of water
  • holding part of your prostate open and widening your urethra, using a small implant
  • making small cuts in your prostate around the opening to the bladder
  • removing part of your prostate using surgery

The surgeon will explain your options, the risks and benefits of the procedure, and what will happen.

Treatments and support for living with an enlarged prostate

Treatment and support is also available to help with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. This can include:

  • products such as pads, pants or sheaths to help with leaks or dribbling pee
  • a urinary catheter – a flexible tube that's put into your bladder to drain pee, if you cannot empty your bladder
  • help with bladder training, where you try holding on for a short time when you need to pee, and gradually increase the time over a few weeks
  • pelvic floor muscle training – exercises to strengthen muscles that help control your bladder
Information:

Find out more

Things you can do to help with enlarged prostate symptoms

There are things you can do that may help with symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Do

  • cut down on alcohol and caffeine, as they can make you pee more

  • reduce how much fluid you drink before bed or before going out – but make sure you drink enough during the rest of the day

  • make sure you eat enough fibre to help prevent constipation, which can put pressure on your bladder

  • keep to a healthy weight, as being overweight can make symptoms worse

  • wait a few moments after you pee and then try peeing again, to help you empty your bladder

  • try putting your fingertips 3 finger widths behind your scrotum after you finish peeing, and gently pressing while moving your fingers forwards and upwards towards the base of your penis, to help push the last few drops out

  • check with a doctor or pharmacist whether any medicines you take for other conditions could be making your symptoms worse

Don’t

  • do not strain or push when peeing – try to relax when you pee

  • do not cut down too much on fluids, as this can cause problems such as urinary tract infections

Causes of an enlarged prostate

It's thought that an enlarged prostate may be caused by changes in your hormone levels as you get older.

An enlarged prostate is very common. You may be more likely to get it if you're over 50, and if others in your family have an enlarged prostate.

An enlarged prostate is not caused by prostate cancer, and does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer.

Video: prostate enlargement

This animation explains the possible causes of prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Media last reviewed: 12 January 2024
Media review due: 12 January 2027

Page last reviewed: 08 April 2025
Next review due: 08 April 2028