Understanding BPH, Symptoms, Solutions, and What’s Actually Normal

Let’s cut the fluff. If you’re a man over 40—or closing in on it—you’ve probably started hearing about the prostate. Maybe it was a quick comment at your annual checkup. Maybe you’ve noticed some... changes. Like more frequent bathroom trips. Or a slow, awkward stream that makes you feel like your plumbing's rusting over.

It’s time to talk man-to-man about prostate growth, or what the docs call Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This is not cancer. It’s not your body turning on you. It’s actually one of the most common and predictable parts of aging for men.

In this article, we’re going to unpack:

• What the prostate is and what it doesWhy it grows with age

• What symptoms to look out for

• What’s normal (and what’s not)

• How to deal with it like a man who's informed—not one who ignores it till it’s too late

WHAT IS THE PROSTATE, REALLY?

Let’s keep it real. Most guys couldn’t point to their prostate on a diagram if it meant winning a million bucks. So let’s start there.

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that sits just below your bladder and wraps around your urethra—the tube that carries urine and semen out of your body. Its main job is to produce fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. Yep, it’s part of the reproductive system, not just the plumbing.

As you age, your testosterone levels slowly shift, and your prostate starts to enlarge. Not because you did something wrong—but because your body is following its blueprint.

PROSTATE GROWTH IS NORMAL (BUT ANNOYING)

Let’s get this out of the way: prostate growth is a normal, expected part of male aging.

Around 50% of men over 50 will have signs of prostate enlargement. By 60, that jumps to 60%. By 70? More like 80-90%. So if you’re feeling weird about it, don’t. You’re not broken. You’re aging like the rest of us.

Doctors call this condition Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). “Benign” means not cancerous. “Hyperplasia” means extra growth.

But here’s the catch: that extra growth starts pressing against your urethra, which can mess with your ability to pee like a fire hose.

SYMPTOMS OF AN ENLARGED PROSTATE (A.K.A. “WHY AM I PEEING ALL THE TIME?”)

Let’s talk symptoms. This is the stuff that can sneak up on you and slowly become your new normal—until you realize something’s off.

Common signs of BPH:

• Frequent urination, especially at night (called nocturia)

• Weak or slow urine stream

• Difficulty starting urination (even when you really need to go)

• Dribbling at the end

• Feeling like your bladder isn’t empty

• Sudden urges to pee

If that sounds familiar, welcome to the club. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to live like this forever, and it doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with your masculinity or strength.

WHAT’S NOT NORMAL — WARNING SIGNS TO TAKE SERIOUSLY

While BPH is normal, some symptoms should trigger an immediate call to your doctor:

🚩 Blood in your urine
🚩 Burning or pain when urinating
🚩 Complete inability to urinate
🚩 Unexplained weight loss or fatigue

These could point to infections, bladder issues, or even prostate cancer, which is a different ball game entirely. Always better to catch things early.

WHY DOES THE PROSTATE GROW WITH AGE?

Let’s nerd out for a second (but not too much). Your prostate is influenced by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a derivative of testosterone. As you age, your body starts converting more testosterone into DHT, and that’s what fuels the prostate’s growth.

Think of it like this:

Young men have testosterone coursing through their veins for energy, strength, sex drive, and performance. As they age, more of that testosterone shifts into DHT—and your prostate sees it as a signal to bulk up like it’s headed to a bodybuilding competition it didn’t get invited to.

LIVING WITH BPH: WHAT YOU CAN DO

Here’s where things get practical. If you’ve got a slightly enlarged prostate, you’re not doomed to a life of bathroom mapping and weak streams. Let’s talk real solutions, starting with lifestyle, then natural remedies, and finally medical options.

1. LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT ACTUALLY HELP

⏱ Cut the late-night fluids

Stop chugging water, tea, or coffee after 7pm. It’s not rocket science—you drink less, you pee less at night.

🚫 Limit caffeine and alcohol

They irritate the bladder and act as diuretics, which means more urgency and more trips.

💪 Move your body

Even light exercise—walking, stretching, lifting—can reduce inflammation and improve hormone balance.

🧠 Manage stress

Stress increases cortisol, which messes with your hormone balance and makes BPH worse. Prayer, breathwork, lifting heavy things—it all helps.

2. NATURAL REMEDIES THAT DON’T SCREAM “GRANOLA GUY”

Some men want to avoid meds. Totally fine—as long as you’re smart about it.

Here are evidence-backed supplements that can support prostate health:

• Saw Palmetto: Shown to reduce symptoms in some men, especially with mild BPH.

• Beta-sitosterol: Plant compound that can help improve flow and reduce urgency.

• Pumpkin seed oil: Anti-inflammatory properties that may help.

• Zinc: Deficiency can make symptoms worse.

🚨 Note: Supplements can be powerful, but they’re not magic pills. Talk to your doctor before going all-in.

3. MEDICATIONS THAT ACTUALLY WORK (AND DON’T MAKE YOU LESS OF A MAN)

If your symptoms are disruptive, your doctor might suggest meds. Here are the two big categories:

• Alpha-blockers (like tamsulosin): These relax the muscles around your prostate and bladder, making it easier to pee.

• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (like finasteride): These shrink the prostate over time by lowering DHT levels.

Both can be effective, and most guys feel noticeable relief within a few weeks.

👉 Bonus: Combining the two often gives better results than either alone.

4. WHEN SURGERY MAKES SENSE

If meds and lifestyle tweaks aren’t cutting it, minimally invasive procedures can provide relief.

Common options:

• TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate): A classic, effective option.

• UroLift: Implants that pull the prostate away from the urethra.

• Rezum: Steam treatment that shrinks the prostate.

These aren’t radical or high-risk. They’re outpatient procedures that can change your quality of life fast.

THE PROSTATE-SUCCESS MINDSET: MAXED OUT, NOT MAXED OUT ON BATHROOM TRIPS

At Maxed Out Man, we don’t avoid the hard stuff. We face it head on, with honesty, clarity, and action.

Prostate growth is a signal, not a sentence. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey man, time to pay attention.” Just like strength training, business, and your marriage—ignoring problems doesn’t fix them. Ownership does.

The most dangerous thing you can do? Shrug off your symptoms and pretend it’s normal to go five times a night. That’s not tough. That’s avoidant.

You’re not just a man. You’re a leader, a husband, a father, a warrior. Lead your health like you lead your life—with vision, vigilance, and truth.

GROWTH HAPPENS—LEAD THROUGH IT

Your prostate is growing. So what? So are you—mentally, spiritually, physically. And with the right tools, you don’t have to let BPH slow you down.

You’re built to lead, love, and last.

Let’s make sure your body keeps up with your mission.

– Maxed Out Man