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Enlarged prostate (BPH)

Weak flow, frequency, getting up at night. Common with age, and manageable.

Speak to a GP about an enlarged prostateFrom £79

In short

An enlarged prostate is a normal part of ageing for many men and is usually manageable with lifestyle advice and medication. The main job of an assessment is to ease symptoms and safely rule out other causes of urinary change.

Overview

What is enlarged prostate (bph)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly develops as men get older. The enlarged gland presses on the urethra and bladder, causing lower urinary tract symptoms such as a weak stream, frequency, and getting up at night. It is not cancer, but the symptoms can overlap, so assessment matters.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • A weak or slow urine stream
  • Difficulty starting to urinate
  • Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
  • A sudden or urgent need to urinate
  • Dribbling after you finish
  • A feeling that the bladder hasn't fully emptied

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP if urinary symptoms are affecting your sleep or daily life, are getting worse, or you'd like them assessed. Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine at all, or you see blood in your urine.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Being completely unable to pass urine with a painful, full bladder (acute retention, go to A&E)
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever with urinary symptoms (possible infection)
  • Unexplained weight loss or bone pain alongside urinary symptoms

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • Symptom assessment using a validated score (IPSS) and review of your history
  • Advice on fluid timing, caffeine and alcohol, and bladder habits
  • Review of medications that can worsen symptoms
  • Where appropriate, prescription of an alpha-blocker (e.g. tamsulosin) to relax the prostate, or a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (e.g. finasteride) to shrink it
  • Guidance on the tests worth having (urine check, and a PSA blood test after counselling)
  • Referral to urology if symptoms are severe, don't respond, or red flags are present

What we don't do

  • Prostate biopsy or surgery (referred to NHS or private urology)
  • Diagnosis of prostate cancer, which needs specialist investigation

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about an enlarged prostate starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about enlarged prostate (bph)

Is an enlarged prostate the same as prostate cancer?
No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement that is very common with age. Because symptoms can overlap, a GP will assess your risk and discuss whether a PSA test is right for you.
Will I need a PSA blood test?
It is often offered, but it has pros and cons. We explain what the result can and can't tell you so you can make an informed choice before testing.
How well does medication work?
Alpha-blockers often improve flow and frequency within days to weeks. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors shrink the prostate gradually over 3-6 months and work best for larger prostates.
Will I need surgery?
Most men are managed with lifestyle measures and medication. Surgery (such as TURP) is considered by urology only when symptoms are severe or don't respond.
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Ready to talk to a GP about an enlarged prostate?

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