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What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland:

• is only found in men
• is about the size of a walnut
• is below the base of the bladder
• wraps around the urethra
• makes a milky fluid, which is part of semen and feeds the sperm.

The prostate, along with the pelvic floor muscles, helps to control the flow of the urine from the bladder.

It is normal for the prostate gland to get bigger as men get older and this can cause bladder problems for some men. Changes to the prostate gland can happen over many years.

Some common prostate problems

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is when the prostate gets gradually larger as men get older. Some men need surgery for this, however it doesn't lead to cancer.
• Prostate cancer is often found with a blood test called a PSA or through a digital rectal examination.
• Prostatitis is a swelling and soreness of the prostate gland due to a bladder infection and is more common in young men.

What are the symptoms of a prostate problem?

Symptoms of a prostate problem include:

• trouble starting the flow of urine
• slow urine stream once started
• needing to pass urine more often through the day or night
• leaking after passing urine or between visits to the toilet
• needing to pass urine soon after going to the toilet
• feeling an urgent need to pass urine
• burning or pain when passing urine
• blood in the urine
• a feeling that the bladder is not fully empty after going to the toilet.

Bladder problems and the prostate

Prostate problems can cause bladder control problems including:

• a narrowing of the urethra - as the prostate grows and squeezes the urethra, it can sometimes stop the bladder from emptying completely and cause the urine to leak
• an overactive bladder and urgency - if the bladder has to work harder to push urine through a very narrow urethra, it can cause an urgent need to pass urine.

Some men may need surgery for their prostate problem. After surgery, men can have greater urgency until the bladder goes back to normal. The surgery for prostate problems can damage the muscles and nerves of the urethra, which can be the cause of urinary incontinence.

Treatment for prostate problems

Men with prostate problems need to see their doctor. They may:

• decide there's no need for surgery at this time
• prescribe medicines
• recommend prostate surgery
• recommend the man see a continence nurse advisor for further treatment, such as bladder training
• recommend the man see a continence nurse advisor or a pelvic health physiotherapist for pelvic floor muscle exercises. These exercises can help men control urine flow and reduce leakage by tightening the pelvic floor muscles.

Need more help? Call the National Continence Helpline on 18OO 33 OO 66 and talk to a continence nurse advisor.

Extra Resources

• Continence and prostate
• After dribble
• Caring for someone with bladder and bowel problems