Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
If your urine stream is weak and you frequently wake up at night, it could be a sign of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Common urinary problems that become more frequent with age.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition affecting more than half of men over the age of 50. Typical symptoms include a weak and thin urine stream, difficulty starting urination, incomplete bladder emptying, and waking up to urinate more than twice at night.
- It is usually well managed with medication (such as medications that widen the urethra or reduce prostate size).
- If left untreated, it can lead to bladder dysfunction or acute urinary retention, where a sudden inability to urinate occurs.
- While BPH is different from prostate cancer, the symptoms can be similar, so a PSA blood test is often performed during diagnosis to rule out cancer.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Tips for daily life and medications to be aware of.
- Reduce fluid intake, alcohol, and caffeine in the evening; avoid holding urine for extended periods.
- Caution with cold medications: Some cold remedies and decongestants (antihistamines and nasal decongestants) can suddenly obstruct urination. Inform your pharmacist that you have an enlarged prostate.
- If symptoms worsen suddenly and you are unable to urinate at all, go to the emergency room (catheterization may be necessary).
Frequently asked questions
Do prostate medications need to be taken for a lifetime?
The goal is to control symptoms, so it's often taken for a long time, but the dosage is adjusted based on the severity of symptoms and prostate size. If medication isn't enough, endoscopic surgery (such as HoLEP) can provide a more fundamental solution.
Does Saw Palmetto work?
Large-scale studies often show results that are not significantly different from those of placebos. Don't rely on health supplements and miss the opportunity for timely treatment; if you experience symptoms, seek medical attention.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-13)Last checked: 2026년 8월 13일
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