Noncancerous swelling of the prostate gland. An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is usually a result of aging. Benign prostatic hyperplasia develops first in the portion of the prostate surrounding the urethra, narrowing this urinary passage. Signs include slowed or delayed start of urination, a weak urine stream, pain during urination, blood in the urine, difficulty emptying the bladder, frequent urination, repeated urinary tract infections, increased urination at night, a strong sudden desire to urinate, and leaking of urine. Sexual functioning is usually not affected. In severe cases, the ability to urinate may be lost because of blockage to the urinary tract by the enlarged prostate. The inability to urinate may develop slowly, leading to kidney damage and kidney failure, or it can occur suddenly and be very painful. Complete blockage is a medical emergency.
Enlargement of the inner region of the prostate gland can result from benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostate cancer, or prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the gland. This increase in size can obstruct urine flow from the bladder to the urethra, leading to issues like prostatism and urinary retention, which is the inability to urinate. The size of the prostate gland can be evaluated through a rectal examination.