Symptoms of Prostate

Overview

Prostate symptoms can indicate various conditions affecting the prostate gland, a walnut-sized organ that produces seminal fluid in men. Common prostate problems include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

Common Symptoms and Their Causes

  • Frequent urination: Especially at night (nocturia)
  • Difficulty starting urination: Hesitancy or straining
  • Weak urine stream: Reduced flow or dribbling
  • Incomplete bladder emptying: Feeling of residual urine
  • Urgent need to urinate: Sudden, strong urges
  • Pain or burning during urination: Dysuria
  • Blood in urine or semen: Hematuria or hematospermia
  • Painful ejaculation: Discomfort during orgasm
  • Erectile dysfunction: Difficulty maintaining erections
  • Pelvic or lower back pain: May radiate to hips or thighs

Common Prostate Conditions

  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Non-cancerous prostate enlargement
  • Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate (bacterial or non-bacterial)
  • Prostate cancer: Malignant growth in prostate tissue
  • Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Long-term pelvic discomfort

Diagnostic Tests

  • Digital rectal exam (DRE): Physical examination of prostate
  • PSA blood test: Prostate-specific antigen levels
  • Urinalysis: Check for infection or blood
  • Uroflowmetry: Measures urine flow rate
  • Prostate ultrasound: Imaging of prostate size and structure
  • Prostate biopsy: If cancer suspected
  • Cystoscopy: Visual examination of bladder and urethra

When to Seek Medical Attention

See a healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Inability to urinate (urinary retention)
  • Blood in urine or semen
  • Severe pain in lower back, hips, or pelvis
  • Painful or burning urination with fever
  • Sudden worsening of urinary symptoms
  • Unexplained weight loss with prostate symptoms
  • Persistent erectile dysfunction