An enlarged prostate, technically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is an extremely common set of prostate symptoms in men, affect almost half as they age. While benign, the disease can still cause enough urination symptoms to be extremely problematic in some people. Typical symptoms involve either increased urination, or lack of urination.

Increased urination can mean inability to hold pee, especially at night, or increased frequency of urination (however, diabetes can have this symptom as well, so see your doctor).

In other cases, the symptoms present as decreased urination: dribbling, straining to start peeing, or stopping and starting during peeing.

Symptoms involving decreased urination can turn problematic, as urination retention can lead to bladder stones due to crystallized urine, frequent urinary tract infections, and even renal failure in extreme cases.

Some degree of an enlarged prostate can be present in up to half of all men by age 50, climbing to 75% by age 80. Of these, about half will experience symptoms like the above.

If you believe you have enlarged prostate symptoms, please see your doctor as a number of other complications can cause similar problems.