As you get older, the pace of life tends to slow down. And sometimes that’s OK. Maybe you take a little extra time in the morning to enjoy your cup of coffee or opt for the scenic route on your commute to work.
But when it comes to your urine stream, slowing down doesn’t have to be just another part of the aging process. Let’s take a look at the causes of a slow urine stream and which steps you can take to fix them.
What Causes a Slow Urine Stream?
There’s more than one possible cause for a slow urine stream.But for older men, a likely culprit is an enlarged prostate, also known as BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. An enlarged prostate is common in men over the age of 50: more than 40 percent of men in their 50s and nearly 90 percent of men in their 80s have an enlarged prostate.¹ And in the U.S. alone, more than 40 million men have enlarged prostates.²
Enlarged Prostate: Signs and Symptoms
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized organ that sits below your bladder and surrounds your urethra. As part of the male reproductive system, the prostate is responsible for producing a component of the fluid that’s released as semen during ejaculation.
However, beginning around the ages of 45-50, the prostate starts to grow in size. This is a normal part of aging. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate which can greatly affect a man’s quality of life:
Basic Symptoms
When your prostate grows in size, it may begin to block the urethra, which is the body’s exit point for urine. This causes urinary symptoms3 including:
- A weak or slow urine stream
- An urgent need to urinate
- Increased frequency of urination, both day and night
- Difficulty starting your urine stream
- The need to push or strain when urinating
- A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
Advanced Symptoms
If left untreated, more severe symptoms can sometimes develop: Your bladder can even become permanently damaged if you allow your enlarged prostate to progress untreated.4
The Next Steps
If you’re experiencing symptoms like a slow urine stream, it’s important to take the next steps and address the underlying cause. But how do you know if your symptoms are severe enough to warrant treatment?
Take our quiz to find your enlarged prostate symptom score. Your score will give you a better understanding of the severity of your symptoms. Then talk to your doctor. Only your doctor can diagnose an enlarged prostate.
If you’re thinking about seeking treatment, it’s important to know your options. Treatment options for an enlarged prostate fall on a spectrum ranging from the least invasive to the most invasive.
Least Invasive Treatments
Wait and See
If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may encourage the “wait and see” approach. In this case, your doctor will monitor the progression of your symptoms before recommending another treatment.
UroLift® System
This is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed right in your doctor’s office. It is the only leading minimally invasive BPH treatment that offers a customized treatment while preserving sexual function.6-7 The UroLift Implant holds the enlarged tissue out of the way so that it no longer blocks your urethra.
*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction
Medication
If your symptoms are interfering with your day-to-day life, your doctor may prescribe medication. There’s no pill that will cure an enlarged prostate, but certain medications can help ease the symptoms. Unfortunately, medications sometimes fail to provide adequate relief and may cause unwanted side effects like dizziness, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction.5
Most Invasive Treatments
Surgery
Surgery involves the removal of prostate tissue to prevent it from blocking the urethra. Although surgery can be effective, it comes with an extended recovery period and the risk of long-term side effects like erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, and leaking urine.8
Closing Thoughts
If you’re a man over the age of 45 and experiencing a slow urine stream, an enlarged prostate may be the culprit.
An enlarged prostate, or BPH, is a common condition, but don’t wait for your symptoms to get worse. Take action by finding your enlarged prostate symptom score and discussing the results with your doctor so that you can find a treatment that works for you.
References:
*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction
- Berry, et al., J Urol 1984
- NeoTract U.S. Market Model estimates for 2018 based on IQVIA Health Drug and Procedure data
- Abrams, et al., Neurourology and Urodynamics 2002; Maximilian, et al., BJU Intl 2012
- Tubaro et al. 2003 Drugs Aging
- Roehrborn et al. Can J Urol 2017
- Roehrborn, J Urology 2013
- McVary, J Sex Med 2014
- AUA BPH Guidelines 2003, 2010
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