Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a gradual enlargement of the prostate that can put pressure on the urethra. That pressure leads to increased urination. Often, BPH is treated with medication that relaxes inflamed muscles. Some cases are treated with surgery that removes part of the prostate.
If your benign prostatic hyperplasia is mild or moderate — the symptoms do not bother you or interfere with daily activities — you may be able to treat your BPH at home. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see your doctor regularly to check symptoms and see if your BPH has worsened! But you may be able to manage symptoms without medication or surgery.
Try these tips to help minimize your symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia:
- Practice “double voiding” — urinate as much as possible, wait a few moments, then try to urinate again. Try to distract yourself while waiting with something to read.
- Take your time while urinating. Try not to worry about your symptoms, as that can make it harder to urinate.
- Try sitting down to urinate instead of standing.
- Turn on a faucet or picture running water in your mind — this can help get urine flowing.
- Drink fluids throughout the day. You don’t want to become dehydrated! Limiting your fluid intake in order to avoid urinating will lead to other health problems.
- If you wake up frequently overnight to urinate, you may want to limit evening fluid intake and try to completely empty your bladder before you go to bed.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol — they can make you need to urinate more often.
- Avoid medications that make urination difficult, like antihistamines, decongestants, and other allergy treatments. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medications that may make urination difficult, and other alternatives.
Herbal therapies like saw palmetto may help ease symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Talk to your doctor about whether or not an herbal treatment could be useful.