Prostate / Lower urinary tract symptoms

The prostate is a sex gland found in men that sits just below the bladder. It produces fluid to form part of the semen or ejaculate. It is normally about the size of a walnut. The urethra runs through the prostate carrying urine from the bladder to the tip of the penis.

The prostate commonly grows in size as men age, a condition called benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This enlargement of the prostate can cause the urinary symptoms that are often called Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).

Symptoms

An enlarged prostate can partially block the outflow from the bladder causing voiding bladder symptoms. Similar symptoms can occur if the bladder muscle is weak and failing to push the urine out. Some patients are unable to void at all. This is retention of urine and requires a catheter to be placed. This usually happens acutely and the catheter placed by a doctor, nurse or paramedic.

The bladder is supposed to store urine and when affected by a number of conditions, such as prostate enlargement, it can fail to do this and patients can then develop a number of storage symptoms.

Prostate pain can exist alone or with other symptoms. It can be secondary to inflammation and is uncommon with cancer but can be persistent and difficult to treat.

Blood in the urine or Haematuria can be visible to the eye or found only by testing the urine. Visible blood in the urine nearly always needs further investigations.

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Investigations

These are likely to include an examination of the prostate, a blood test for PSA and a flow rate. Other tests that might be required include urine tests in the clinic or lab, imaging, bladder endoscopy (flexible cystoscopy) or urodynamics.

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Treatments

There are many treatment options and treatment is not always required. Treatment is usually stepwise and ranges from lifestyle changes, through medication to a variety of surgical interventions options.

South Coast Urology has experts who can take you through all appropriate options.

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