Symptoms of prostate disease

Several conditions can affect a man's prostate gland, including prostate cancer.

The three most common types of prostate disease are:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Prostatitis
• Prostate cancer

Although these diseases have different causes, they have similar symptoms. This is why it's important to report any urinary symptoms promptly to your doctor. He or she will often refer you to an urologist (a doctor who specialises in diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system) if you have symptoms of any of the following diseases.

Prostate enlargement

Often called BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non- cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Prostate enlargement is very common but rarely causes symptoms before age 40. Around 60% of men who are 60 or over experience some degree of prostate enlargement.

Symptoms of BPH include:

• Difficulty urinating
• An urge to urinate even when the bladder is empty
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• A weak or intermittent stream of urine and a sense of incomplete emptying when urinating

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. This can sometimes be caused by a bacterial infection. Men of all ages can get prostatitis, and it can occur in any size prostate (enlarged or not).

Symptoms of prostatitis include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Pain or burning during urination
• Chills and a high temperature along with urinating problems

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, in its early stages, may not cause any symptoms. But as it progresses, symptoms often appear.

Symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination
• Inability to urinate
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine (dribbling)
• Painful or burning urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs.