The likelihood that a man will develop an enlarged prostate increases with age, and almost all men experience prostate enlargement as they get older. An enlarged prostate – also called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) – causes urinary and bladder habits to change. Some men have symptoms such as:

  • Strong and sudden urge to urinate
  • Frequent urination
  • Weak urinary stream
  • Incomplete emptying of bladder
  • Difficulty urinating even when the bladder feels full

An enlarged prostate can be treated with medicine or surgery. As a medical option, drugs may be used to shrink or relax the prostate so urination is easier. Surgical options offered by Washington University urologists include laser treatments to open the prostate, allowing patients to have better bladder habits.

Our urologists also offer advanced diagnostic tests such as urodynamics, which can help determine how an enlarged prostate is affecting a patient’s bladder habits.