Understanding The Symptoms of Prostate Disease | Tennessee Valley Urology Center

Did you know that September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month? The experts at Tennessee Valley Urology Center want to help you understand the symptoms of the three main types of prostate disease–benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

All three of these diseases have different causes, but they present similar symptoms. Men should receive a prostate cancer screening annually, after which your doctor will refer you to a urologist if you display symptoms of any of these diseases.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Also called BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate gland. It is quite common and usually does not causes any symptoms in men under 40. The American Urological Association states that half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60, and choose to 90% of men above age 80 have BPH.

BPH symptoms can include:

• Trouble urinating
  
• The urge to urinate even if the bladder is empty
  
• Frequent urination (more than every two hours), especially at night
  
• A weak or intermittent stream of urine with the feeling that you cannot completely empty your bladder
  

Prostatitis
An inflammation of the prostate, prostatitis may be caused by a bacterial infection. Any man can get prostatitis regardless of age, and it can happen whether the prostate is enlarged or not.

Prostatitis symptoms may include:

• Trouble urinating
  
• Frequent urination (more than every two hours), especially at night
  
• A painful or burning sensation during urination
  
• Urination problems accompanied by chills and fever
  

Prostate Cancer
This form of cancer does not always present symptoms, particularly in its early stages. As the cancer progresses, common symptoms will often present themselves. The CDC states that prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer treated in American men.

Prostate cancer symptoms can include:

• Frequent urination (more than every two hours), especially at night
  
• A difficulty in beginning urination
  
• The inability to urinate
  
• A weak or intermittent stream of urine
  
• A painful or burning sensation during urination
  
• Painful ejaculation
  
• Blood in urine or semen
  
• Feeling frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, and/or upper thighs
  

It is imperative that in addition to your annual prostate cancer screening, you also report any of these symptoms to your doctor. You may visit our website today to learn more about our services and urology center, where we handle your needs with compassion, comfort and discretion.