Enlarged prostate (BPH)
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate: How to Spot Them Early
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate appear slowly and many men normalize them as part of aging. Here are the signs worth recognizing — and the ones that need prompt attention.
Dr. Bruno Rubí López
Urólogo · Céd. esp. 12831401 · Hospital Ángeles Puebla
May 7, 2026 5 min read
The symptoms of an enlarged prostate tend to appear slowly, and many men normalize them as just part of getting older. Spotting them early lets you treat the problem before it affects your quality of life or causes complications. Here are the signs worth recognizing.
The most common urinary symptoms
A weak, slow or interrupted stream. Having to wait or push to start urinating. Getting up one or more times a night to urinate. A feeling of not fully emptying the bladder. Frequent, urgent need to urinate, with dribbling at the end.
Why you shouldn’t ignore them
As the obstruction progresses, the bladder works harder and can weaken. This can lead to repeated urinary infections, bladder stones or — in advanced cases — urinary retention, which needs immediate attention. Treating symptoms early makes the treatment simpler and more effective.
Signs that need prompt attention
See a urologist without delay if you notice blood in the urine, pain when urinating, fever with urinary symptoms or — above all — if you cannot urinate despite the urge. That last case is an emergency.
What to do if these symptoms sound familiar
A simple urology evaluation — history, digital rectal exam and PSA — is enough to tell whether you have an enlarged prostate and to define the best treatment. There’s no need to wait until symptoms get worse.
Si tienes molestias urinarias o quieres una valoración de próstata, escríbenos por WhatsApp y agendamos tu consulta con el Dr. Bruno Rubí.
Message on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
Is getting up at night to urinate normal?+
Doing so occasionally can be normal, but getting up repeatedly every night is often a symptom of an enlarged prostate and deserves an evaluation.
Do enlarged-prostate symptoms mean cancer?+
Not necessarily. Most of the time they are due to benign hyperplasia, but only a urology evaluation can confirm it and rule out other causes.
At what age should I pay attention to these symptoms?+
From age 50, or from 40 if you have a family history of prostate problems.