Identifying the Signs of an Enlarged Prostate: When to Consult a Urologist?
By Dr. Anup Ramani
Changes in urination patterns, discomfort during urination and nocturnal trips to the bathroom are often brushed off as signs of aging. However, these could be early indicators of an enlarged prostate – a condition that, if left unaddressed, may progress to more serious urinary complications. Recognizing the signs early empowers individuals to seek medical advice, especially from a urologist who can provide timely and effective intervention.
This article focuses on the most common and clinically significant signs of an enlarged prostate that indicate it’s time to consult a healthcare specialist.
Increased Urinary Frequency - Especially at Night
One of the earliest and most noticeable signs of an enlarged prostate is increased urinary frequency. This occurs because the enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, reducing the bladder’s capacity and causing it to signal the need to urinate more frequently.
When to consult?
- Waking up more than once per night to urinate
- Feeling like you need to go again shortly after urinating
Urgency and Difficulty Starting Urination
Men often experience a sudden, compelling need to urinate that is difficult to delay. However, even with this urgency, starting the urine stream can be frustratingly slow or delayed. This symptom is directly linked to obstruction caused by the enlarged tissue around the urethra.
When to consult?
- Repeated difficulty initiating urination
- Feeling a strong urge but being unable to pass urine promptly
Weak or Interrupted Urine Stream
Another prominent symptom is a noticeable reduction in the strength of the urine stream. In many cases, the stream may start strong and then weaken or stop and start unexpectedly.
When to consult?
- Weak or inconsistent stream that affects your daily comfort
- Needing to wait long for the stream to begin or complete
Incomplete Bladder Emptying
Men with an enlarged prostate often feel like their bladder hasn’t fully emptied even after urination. This residual urine increases the risk of urinary tract infections and bladder stones.
When to consult?
- Persistent sensation of needing to urinate right after finishing
- Occasional or frequent re-urination within minutes
Dribbling at the End of Urination
Post-void dribbling or leaking urine after completing urination, is common among men with prostate issues. This may result from incomplete bladder contractions or urethral obstruction.
When to consult?
- Recurrent leakage after urinating
- Need to change undergarments or wear protection due to dribbling
Straining While Urinating
If you find yourself pushing or exerting pressure to pass urine, it may indicate a blockage. Straining can tire the bladder and worsen its ability to function over time.
When to consult?
- Frequent need to apply pressure during urination
- Feeling exhausted or tense while attempting to urinate
Sudden Urinary Retention
In more severe cases, men may experience acute urinary retention – an inability to urinate despite the urge. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate intervention.
When to consult?
- Pain and bloating in the lower abdomen from a full bladder
Changes in Urine Color or Flow
Cloudy urine, the presence of blood or noticeable changes in flow pattern should never be ignored. While these signs may not directly point to an enlarged prostate, they are red flags warranting urgent assessment.
When to consult?
- Pink, red or dark-colored urine
- Urine that is cloudy or has a strong odor
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Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
An enlarged prostate may impede full bladder emptying, making residual urine a breeding ground for bacteria. This leads to repeated infections, a signal that intervention may be needed.
When to consult?
- More than one UTI in a 12-month period
- Burning or discomfort while urinating, accompanied by fever
Lifestyle Impact Due to Urinary Symptoms
When symptoms begin to disrupt your daily life – whether it’s avoiding long trips, social events or limiting fluid intake for fear of needing frequent restroom access – it’s time to take action.
When to consult?
- Planning your day around restroom availability
- Sleep disruption and anxiety about urinary issues
Conclusion
Understanding and identifying the signs of an enlarged prostate is vital to protecting your urinary and overall health. These symptoms may develop slowly and subtly, but their impact can become increasingly disruptive over time. Early recognition and consultation with a urologist can lead to effective management through medications, lifestyle changes or procedures such as Enlarged Prostate Surgery, including TUR-P.
Men experiencing any combination of the symptoms listed above – especially those seeking Enlarged Prostate treatment – should not delay medical advice. With timely evaluation, the condition is highly manageable and complications can be minimized.
FAQs About Enlarged Prostate
Are these signs always related to prostate problems?
Not necessarily. Some urinary symptoms may be linked to infections, overactive bladder or neurological conditions. A urologist can determine the cause.
At what point should I worry about frequent urination at night?
If you’re waking up more than once or twice per night to urinate consistently, it may be time to see a doctor for further evaluation.
Is dribbling after urination normal as men age?
While common with aging, it may also indicate an enlarged prostate or weakened bladder muscles. It’s worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Can enlarged prostate symptoms be managed without surgery?
Yes. Mild to moderate symptoms often respond well to lifestyle changes and medications. Surgery is considered when these methods are ineffective.
Does early treatment prevent worsening of prostate symptoms?
Absolutely. Early intervention can relieve symptoms, reduce the risk of complications and often avoid the need for more invasive treatments.
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PARTIAL PENECTOMY
- Partial penectomy is done in cases where glans and distal penis is involved with carcinoma.
- Partial penectomy is a type of organ-preserving surgery. Preservation of sexual and micturational function depends on the surgical dissection and reconstruction of residual urethra.
Kidney Stone Removal
- Patients who develop stones in the kidney or ureter, often experience severe pain.
- This condition usually needs a procedure to remove the kidney stones.
- This procedure is called ureteroscopy and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anesthesia.
- The scope is inserted through the penis into the kidney and stones are dissolved with a laser.
- The procedure takes about 40-50 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder. A stent is kept in the kidney at the same time.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is one night and patient is discharged the next day after removal of the catheter.
- Patient has to come back after six weeks to remove the stent in the kidney.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
- Men with an enlarged prostate, which is a normal ageing changes, often experiencing difficulty passing urine. This condition usually needs a procedure to trim the prostate and relieve the blockage.
- This procedure is called TURP and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anaesthesia.
- The overgrown prostate is dissolved with a laser bloodlessly.
- The procedure takes about 40 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is two nights and patient is discharged with the catheter, which is removed after 4 days.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
ROBOTIC ADRENALECTOMY FOR ADRENAL GLAND TUMOUR
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Robotic adrenalectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
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Once the anesthesia is done, and patient positioned, three micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
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The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
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Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
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On an average, a robotic adrenalectomy takes one hour.
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The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
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A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
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A tiny drain pipe may be inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
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Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
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The drain pipe, if kept, is removed in the room on day 2 after surgery.
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The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
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Total hospital stay for robotic adrenalectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
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Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home. Almost all patients are back to work within 2 weeks of surgery.
Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after an adrenalectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.
ROBOTIC SURGERY FOR BLADDER CANCER
- Dr. Ramani is one of the very few surgeons in India who has the expertise to perform a robotic surgery for bladder cancer, which includes removing the urinary bladder and reconstructing a new bladder robotically.
- Robotic radical cystectomy is an extremely sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, six micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit takes 3-4 hours.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the new bladder is inserted during surgery.
- Two tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth for 4 days after surgery with IV supplementation of patient’s daily requirements of calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins and electrolytes.
- The drain pipes are removed in the room on day 3-5 after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical cystectomy is 8 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 6 weeks of surgery. Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after two months.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after a radical a cystectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Histopathology report: Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consult. Depending on the report, patient may or may not need chemotherapy after surgery.
If chemo is needed, patients may choose to get it done with a medical oncologist of their choice or avail the services of one of the four medical oncologists on our team.
ROBOTIC RADICAL/PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY FOR KIDNEY CANCER
- Robotic partial nephrectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications. Robotic radical (total) nephrectomy is
- relatively easier but still requires significant experience to consistently deliver results.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, five micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical nephrectomy takes one hour and a robotic partial nephrectomy takes about an hour and half.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
- A tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
- The drain pipe is removed in the room on day 3 after surgery. The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical/partial nephrectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self- sufficient.
- They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 2-3 weeks of surgery.
- Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
- Follow up after a radical/partial Nephrectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
- Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
- Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.