Prostate health

Enlarged prostate gland

The prostate is a gland located just below your bladder and surrounds your urethra (the tube for passing urine). Its usual function is to produce a fluid that is mixed with sperm during ejaculation. The gland tends to get bigger with age and this can push on the urethra, interfering with the flow of urine. This condition is called benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) - it isn't cancerous. About half of men over 50 get symptoms of BPH including:

• feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bladder
• needing to get up several times a night to pass urine
• going frequently during the day
• difficulty in starting to pass urine, a weak stream or dribbling at the end of passing urine

For some men an enlarged prostate can be just a minor nuisance. For others it can have a significant effect on quality of life. Options for treating BPH include lifestyle measures, medicines to relax the bladder or shrink the prostate and surgery.