What are the signs of prostate problems?
Mostly changes in how you pee, sometimes pain. Three prostate problems cause most of them, and the most common isn’t cancer. But early prostate cancer often has no symptoms at all.
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What are the symptoms of prostate problems?
Mostly changes in how you pee. Your prostate is a small gland below your bladder. The tube that carries pee out runs through it.
Think of a hand round a straw. Squeeze it and the drink comes through slower. A swollen prostate can press on that tube in the same way.
| Problem | Main signs | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Enlarged prostate | Straining, a weak or stop-start flow, dribbling, going more often, including at night. | Most common in men over 50. Not cancer. |
| Prostatitis (a swollen, sore prostate) | Pain when peeing, pain in the penis, testicles or bottom, pain when you ejaculate. | Anyone with a prostate. |
| Prostate cancer | Often none at first. Later, the same peeing changes, or blood in pee or semen. | Mostly men over 50. |
Sources: NHS; NHS: prostatitis; NHS: prostate cancer
About 1 in 3 men over 50 have peeing symptoms. The most common cause is an enlarged prostate, which is not usually serious.
A squeezed straw is usually a nuisance, not a danger. But cancer can squeeze it too, so the signs alone can’t tell you which you have.
Finding it hard to pee, or going more often? The NHS says to see a GP.
What does prostate pain mean?
Usually prostatitis. That’s when the prostate is swollen and sore (inflamed). It isn’t cancer.
The two main kinds are very different.
| Sudden infection | Long-term pain (CPPS) | |
|---|---|---|
| How common | Not common | About 9 in 10 men with prostatitis |
| How it starts | Quickly, with a temperature above 38°C, chills and shivering | Pain, usually for 3 months or longer, that may come and go |
| Where it hurts | Between the testicles and bottom, penis, lower back, groin | Between the testicles and bottom, lower tummy, penis, testicles, lower back, inner thighs |
| Cause | Bacteria in the prostate | Not known for sure. Not usually an infection. |
Pain with a high temperature? Prostate Cancer UK says to get medical advice straight away. About 1 in 10 men with the sudden kind suddenly and painfully can’t pee.
The sudden kind is treated with antibiotics. You’ll usually feel better within 2 weeks, but it can take several weeks to clear fully.
Pain for 3 months or more? You may see a specialist called a urologist. Help can include medicines, talking therapy (CBT) and physiotherapy.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Can prostate cancer have no symptoms?
Yes. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms at first. It usually grows on the outer part of the prostate, away from the tube you pee through.
So feeling fine isn’t the all-clear. Your risk is what to look at. The NHS says to speak to a GP if you’re worried about your risk, even with no symptoms.
| Risk | What it means |
|---|---|
| Age over 50 | Most cases are in men over 50. Risk rises with age. |
| Black African or African Caribbean | About 1 in 4 Black men get it in their lifetime, against about 1 in 8 of all UK men. |
| Father or brother had it | Two and a half times more likely to get it. |
| Close relative with breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer, mainly at a young age | The same faulty gene (BRCA2) can raise prostate cancer risk. |
Sources: NHS; Prostate Cancer UK
Black, or prostate cancer in your family? Prostate Cancer UK says your risk is higher from age 45.
You can ask your GP about a PSA blood test, even without symptoms. They’ll talk through the benefits and risks of the test first. See prostate cancer screening for why there’s no routine check.
What else causes urinary problems in men?
Not every peeing change is your prostate. Prostate Cancer UK lists cold weather, anxiety, other health problems, lifestyle and some medicines.
Whatever the cause, these NHS steps for an enlarged prostate may ease the signs while you wait to be seen.
Six NHS steps to ease peeing problems
- Cut down on alcohol and caffeine, as they can make you pee more.
- Drink less before bed or going out, but drink enough the rest of the day.
- Eat enough fibre to stop constipation pressing on your bladder.
- Keep to a healthy weight, as being overweight can make symptoms worse.
- After you pee, wait a few moments and try again.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist if any medicine you take could be making it worse.
Source: NHS: enlarged prostate
Don’t cut fluids too far. The NHS warns it can lead to urine infections.
Leaks or dribbling? Try pelvic floor exercises for men. For the full picture, see enlarged prostate symptoms.
What will a GP check?
What usually happens at the GP
- 1
Questions
Your symptoms, and any cancer in your family.
- 2
Bladder diary
At least 3 days of what you drink and pee.
- 3
Examination
Your tummy and penis, and maybe a gloved finger in your bottom.
- 4
Tests
A pee sample and maybe a PSA blood test.
Sources: NHS; NHS: prostate cancer
The finger check lets the doctor feel the size of your prostate. You can ask for a male or female doctor or nurse, if one’s available, and bring someone with you.
A PSA test can’t tell you if you have cancer. A high result can also come from an enlarged prostate or prostatitis. See our PSA test guide and high PSA levels.
You can start the diary before your appointment. The GP usually asks for at least 3 days.
When to speak to a GP
The GP will be used to these symptoms. Book an appointment if:
- You find it hard to pee, or need to pee more often.
- You have pain when you ejaculate, or in your penis, testicles or bottom.
- Your peeing changes, gets worse or doesn’t feel normal. Or you have erection problems, blood in your semen, lower back pain or weight loss without trying.
- You’re worried about your prostate cancer risk, or you’re over 40 with a faulty BRCA2 gene.
Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you can’t pee at all or it hurts to pee. The same goes if your pee looks pink, red or brown. Or if prostatitis isn’t better after 48 hours of antibiotics, or it’s worse.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you suddenly feel confused, slur your words or stop making sense. Do the same for blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, or a rash that doesn’t fade under a glass.
Severe trouble breathing counts too. The NHS says these may mean a serious infection or sepsis.