As you get older, the pace of life tends to slow down. And sometimes that\u2019s OK. Maybe you take a little extra time in the morning to enjoy your cup of coffee or opt for the scenic route on your commute to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when it comes to your urine stream, slowing down doesn\u2019t have to be just another part of the aging process. Let\u2019s take a look<\/a> at the causes of a slow urine stream and which steps you can take to fix them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s more than one possible cause for a slow urine stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But for older men, a likely culprit is an enlarged prostate, also known as BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia<\/a>. More than 40% of men in their 50s and nearly 90% of men in their 80s have an enlarged prostate\u00b9, over 660 million men worldwide are affected by BPH.1,2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n How severe are your enlarged prostate symptoms? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The prostate is a small, walnut-sized organ that sits below your bladder and surrounds your urethra. As part of the male reproductive system, the prostate is responsible for producing a component of the fluid that\u2019s released as semen during ejaculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, beginning around the ages of 45-50, the prostate starts to grow in size. This is a normal part of aging. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate which can greatly affect a man\u2019s quality of life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about BPH sings and symptoms.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When your prostate grows in size, it may begin to block the urethra, which is the body\u2019s exit point for urine. This causes urinary symptoms<\/a>3<\/sup> including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If left untreated, more severe symptoms can sometimes develop: Your bladder can even become permanently damaged if you allow your enlarged prostate to progress untreated<\/a>.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re experiencing symptoms like a slow urine stream, it\u2019s important to take the next steps and address the underlying cause. But how do you know if your symptoms are severe enough to warrant treatment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take our quiz<\/a> to find your enlarged prostate symptom score. Your score will give you a better understanding of the severity of your symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re thinking about seeking treatment, it\u2019s important to know your options. Treatment options<\/a> for an enlarged prostate fall on a spectrum ranging from the least invasive to the most invasive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Medication & Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alpha-blockers can help relax the muscles around the neck of the bladder to aid urination, while alpha-reductase inhibitors can help to shrink the prostate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patients need to continue taking medication to manage their condition, which may lead to side effects including dizziness, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction.5,6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A straightforward procedure that deploys small implants to lift and compress the sides of the prostate to make the urethra wider and increase the flow of urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PUL does not require heating, cutting, removal, or destruction of prostate tissue.5,7-11<\/sup> It is shown to not cause new and lasting sexual dysfunction.*5,12-15<\/sup> Most common side effects are<\/p>\n\n\n\n temporary and include haematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence.7<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thermotherapies & Lasers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A minimally invasive procedure involving the removal of prostate tissue via heat and steam to relieve symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patients often need to have a catheter inserted into their bladder during the recovery process.9,16<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n This procedure also has incidences of erectile and\/or ejaculatory dysfunction.,5,9,15,17<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Surgery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves using a superheated thin metal band to cut and remove prostate tissue. In severe cases with very large prostate or complications, open surgery is needed to reach the prostate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Surgery requires recovery in the hospital with a catheter inserted into the bladder.18<\/sup> Surgery also has higher incidences of bleeding, erectile and\/or ejaculatory dysfunction.5<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a man over the age of 50 and experiencing a slow urine stream, an enlarged prostate may be the culprit. An enlarged prostate, or BPH, is a common condition, but don\u2019t wait for your symptoms to get worse. Take action by finding your enlarged prostate symptom score<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat causes a slow urine stream?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Get your Prostate Symptom Score in two minutes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nEnlarged prostate: Signs and symptoms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Basic symptoms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Advanced symptoms<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The next steps<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Non-Invasive<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Minimally Invasive<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Most Invasive<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/sup><\/s><\/p>\n\n\n\nClosing thoughts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n