Urine Symptoms in Men

Urine symptoms in men

This article has been written and medically approved by Pharmacist Conor McSorley GPhC Reg No. 2223070

Urinary symptoms such as problems with passing or holding urine affect up to 50% of men up to the age of 40, this increases to almost 66% between 40 and 60, with over 75% of men affected over the age of 60. With such a high prevalence in men we have provided the below guidance on what to expect, what you can do to improve symptoms and when you should seek medical help.

Urinary symptoms include the following:

  • Passing urine very often
  • Getting up at night more than once or twice to pass urine
  • A slow urinary stream
  • Rushing to the toilet regularly

Most urinary symptoms are thought to be caused by the prostate gland, however, this is not always the case. Many men worry that the symptoms may be caused by prostate cancer, however, it is more commonly caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) which is not linked to cancer. Diabetes may also lead to urinary symptoms.

Commonly the symptoms are long-term, staying the same or progressively worsening, unless they are caused by an infection which will cause short-term treatments and can be treated by antibiotics after speaking to your GP. Treatment in the long-term is aimed at improving symptoms, however, they can often be controlled by making a few changes to your lifestyle.

  1. Keep a drink diary

Monitoring the what and when you drink throughout a typical day can be useful to ensure you are following the steps below. You should monitor what you drink, the amount you drink and the time of day when you drink

  • Fluid intake
    Between 1500 and 2000mls of fluid should be taken onboard in the typical day. Drinking large volumes of fluid is thought to be good for your health but this is untrue and will often make symptoms worse.
  • Avoid stimulants 
    Drinking large volumes of tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol will all cause a worsening of symptoms, even decaffeinated tea or coffee can affect symptoms, so try switching to water, herbal teas or squash
  • Avoid drinks before bedtime 
    If you are finding you are waking regularly, monitor your fluid intake in the hours before bed. Reducing the amount you drink and avoiding tea, coffee or alcohol can make a big difference
  1. Massage

Simple techniques can help reduce any leakage after urination. Press upwards on the area between the genitals and your back passage after urinating and massage gently upwards and forwards – this will help to push the last bit of urine and prevent leakage.

  1. Bladder training

Consider some simple bladder training techniques.

  1. Exercise more

Improving your level of physical exercise or shifting some excess weight can reduce urinary symptoms

  1. Over the counter products

Tamsulosin is available here. If you have an enlarged prostate, tamsulosin can be used to relax the muscles in the prostate gland and the urethra. This lets urine pass through more freely, making it easier to urinate, and overcoming common symptoms of having to get up several times in the night to urinate, taking longer and difficulty starting, and a frequent need to go to the toilet. You should see your GP within six weeks of starting this medicine. 

Contact your GP for more advice if you:

  • Develop new urinary symptoms, particularly if they worsen quickly.
  • Have cloudy or smelly urine, or if passing urine stings (this may suggest infection).
  • Find your urinary symptoms troubling and OTC medicines don’t help.
  • see blood in your urine – this can be a sign of bladder, kidney or prostate cancer.
  • Leak urine (called incontinence).
  • Have difficulty with erections – this is common in men with urinary symptoms.
  • Worry about prostate cancer, particularly if this runs in your family.