There are a number of symptoms of BPH. Some of the common ones are:
Poor stream - the urine flow is weaker and it takes longer to empty the bladder
Hesitancy - having to wait for a while before the urine starts to flow
Dribbling - after finishing, a bit more urine may trickle out and stain underpants
Frequency - having to pass urine more often, most irritatingly at night. Getting up several times a night is common and is called 'nocturia'
Urgency to urinate - having to get to the toilet fast
Poor emptying - a feeling of not quite emptying the bladder
Usually the symptoms are mild to begin with - perhaps a slight reduction in flow or having to wait a few seconds to start passing urine. As the years go by, symptoms may become more troublesome. In some people, the symptoms become quite severe and a complete blockage of urine may develop ('retention of urine'), needing urgent treatment. Sometimes BPH can also lead to kidney problems through the pressure that can be created in the kidneys, due to the bladder not being able to empty.
It is important to tell your doctor about urinary problems such as those described in the questionnaire. In 8 out of 10 cases, these symptoms suggest BPH but can also signal other, more serious conditions that require prompt treatment, and some symptoms can overlap. These conditions, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, can be ruled out only by a doctor's examination.
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