Enlarged prostate · Help and support

Help with understanding your enlarged prostate appointment

Your GP, urology team and specialist nurse can explain your results, the choices available and the next steps. Ask them to show you on the model what your results mean.

Open the explorer Read the guide

Your GP, urology team and specialist nurse can explain your results, the choices available and the next steps. Keep their contact details somewhere easy to find.

Someone to talk to

• NHS 111

  For urgent advice, for example if you cannot pass urine at all, or your catheter stops draining. In an emergency, call 999.

  111

• The Urology Foundation

  A UK charity with information about prostate and bladder problems.

  theurologyfoundation.org

• Bladder & Bowel Community

  Information and support for people with bladder problems, including catheters.

  bladderandbowel.org

Words you may hear

Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE or BPH)

The medical name for an enlarged prostate, when the inner part of the prostate grows larger with age.

Urethra

The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. It runs through the middle of the prostate.

Middle lobe

Part of the prostate that pushes up into the bladder, near where urine leaves it.

Residual volume

The urine left in the bladder just after you pass urine, measured with a bladder scan.

Flow test

A test where you pass urine into a special toilet or jug that measures how fast it flows.

Alpha blocker

A medicine, such as tamsulosin, that relaxes the muscle in the prostate so urine flows more easily.

5-alpha reductase inhibitor

A medicine, such as finasteride, that slowly shrinks the prostate over several months.

TURP

Transurethral resection of the prostate: removing the inner part of the prostate through a camera passed up the urethra.

HoLEP

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: using a laser to remove the whole inner part of the prostate.

Prostatic urethral lift (UroLift)

Small implants that hold the sides of the prostate apart, so the urethra stays open. Nothing is removed.

Catheter

A thin, soft tube that drains urine from the bladder.

Retrograde ejaculation

When semen goes back into the bladder instead of coming out when you climax. It is common after some prostate operations and is not harmful.

Trusted information

• NHS: benign prostate enlargement

  Symptoms, tests, treatments and things you can do yourself.

• NHS: TURP

  What happens during and after a transurethral resection of the prostate.

• NHS: urinary catheters

  Types of catheter, how they are used and how to look after one.

• The Urology Foundation

  A UK charity with information about prostate and bladder problems.

• Bladder & Bowel Community

  Information and support for people with bladder problems.

The explorer is a simplified illustration for a conversation with your team. It cannot interpret your report, make a diagnosis or tell you which treatment is right.