Prostate Problems

It's very common for a man to develop a prostate problem as he gets older.  Because changes in the prostate gland usually develop gradually, symptoms of a prostate problem may be hard to recognise, especially in the early stages.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Difficulty or delay in starting urine flow

• Stopping and starting during urination

• After feeling finished, a little more urine dribbles out

• A smaller, weaker urine flow

• Taking longer to urinate

• Feeling the bladder has not quite emptied

• Needing to urinate more often, both night and day

• Sudden strong urges to urinate

• Painful urination

• Painful ejaculation

Note: these symptoms are not always due to changes in the prostate and men with prostate problems do not always have these symptoms.

Consult a doctor if you have:

• Any of the signs and symptoms listed above

• Blood in your urine

• Burning, stinging or pain when passing urine

• Fever, chills or back pain and urine problems

• Problems with getting or maintaining an erection

• Painful erections

• A father or brother who has had prostate cancer