Can an Enlarged Prostate Impact Your Bowel Health

If you’re a man over 50, there’s a good chance you have an enlarged prostate. This condition is very common, and according to Harvard Health, by age 60, half of all men in this age group will be affected. Since this condition is so widespread, men of all ages should be aware of its symptoms and know how to manage it. This article explains what an enlarged prostate is, how it develops, and how it can be treated. It also discusses whether an enlarged prostate can affect bowel movements.

What is an Enlarged Prostate?

The prostate is a small gland situated around the male urethra, just below the bladder. It plays a role in producing semen and, as mentioned, often enlarges in men over 50, developing into a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which is not cancerous. However, it can significantly affect a man’s quality of life because its growth can block the urethra and cause a variety of symptoms, including the following:

• Frequent urination (especially at night)

• Difficulty starting to urinate

• Weak or slow urine stream

• Dribbling after urination

• Incomplete emptying

• Sudden, strong urges to urinate

• Inability to urinate (urinary retention)

What are the reasons for an enlarged prostate?

Age is by far the most crucial factor in the development of this condition, since the prostate naturally grows larger over a man’s lifetime. Changes in hormone levels, such as a decrease in testosterone, can also play a role, especially since levels of a related hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) may remain high in the prostate. However, other aspects can also influence the condition, including family history and lifestyle factors such as a lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, and heavy drinking. Finally, chronic health conditions may contribute, including:

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

Can an Enlarged Prostate affect bowel movements?

While an enlarged prostate is more commonly associated with the male urinary system, in more severe cases, it can also affect bowel movements since the prostate, bladder, and rectum are all situated close to each other. This typically occurs when the prostate is extremely enlarged or causes significant urinary retention. As a result, individuals might experience discomfort during bowel movements, a false sense of fullness in the rectum, and, in rare cases, difficulty completely emptying their bowels. Additionally, medications used to treat an enlarged prostate can have side effects that affect bowel movements, such as constipation.

How to Treat an Enlarged Prostate?

If you experience any symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate (BPH), it’s crucial that you obtain a proper diagnosis to rule out more serious conditions that might cause similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

Fortunately, an enlarged prostate can be treated and well managed, which is most effective when the condition is discovered early. Lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, limiting fluid intake before bedtime, engaging in regular physical exercise, and losing weight can be effective. Leading a healthy lifestyle can also help reduce your risk of developing an enlarged prostate and slow the progression of the condition.

Apart from lifestyle changes, there are medications available to improve everyday symptoms and shrink the prostate over time, for instance, Flomax MR or Proscar. Oftentimes, different medications are also prescribed in combination.

Lastly, other options include minimally invasive procedures that open the urethra, as well as more invasive surgeries that can remove or reshape the prostate and relieve symptoms. Working closely with your doctor will help you find the right treatment method for you and improve your quality of life.