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Effective Solutions Are Available, and Help Could Be Closer Than You Think.

“I used to think waking up twice or even three times a night was just part of getting older. But eventually, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.”

For many men, changes in urination habits feel like just another sign of aging, like greying hair or slower metabolism. But when those nightly trips to the bathroom start affecting sleep and daily life, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s really going on. One of the most common but under-discussed causes? An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Let’s understand more with Dr Chang Bing Chi, Consultant Urologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity.

What’s Happening in the Body?

The prostate is a small gland that sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes. As men age, this gland naturally grows. But for some, it grows large enough to squeeze the urethra, making it harder to urinate. The bladder then has to work overtime, leading to urgency, a weaker urine stream, and that frustrating sensation of never quite emptying fully.

At first, the signs may be subtle. You might notice a stronger urge to pee after your morning coffee or a need to stop more often on long car rides. Eventually, the nightly interruptions become routine. For many men, these changes build up slowly, and it’s easy to delay doing something about it.
 

The Reality of Living with BPH

It’s not uncommon to hear stories like this: a man in his 50s or 60s finds himself frequently scanning the room for a restroom, waking up exhausted from poor sleep, and even avoiding travel or social events because of the constant need to pee. All of this, while still dismissing it as “just getting old.”

But BPH is more than an inconvenience. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or even sudden inability to urinate. That’s why recognising the symptoms early matters.
 

“I Thought It Might Be Cancer. Turns Out It Was Something Else.”

Understandably, many men worry that any prostate issue might be a sign of cancer. Fortunately, BPH is not cancer, and it does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Still, it’s important to rule out more serious conditions through medical evaluation.

A doctor will usually start with simple diagnostic tools, such as a digital rectal exam or a PSA blood test, to understand what’s happening and whether treatment is needed. In many cases, if symptoms are mild, a “watch and wait” approach may be all that’s required.
 

Treatment That Works—and Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

If treatment is necessary, the good news is that there are several effective options. Lifestyle changes are often the first step. Reducing caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening, can ease symptoms. So can spacing out fluid intake and avoiding drinking too much right before bed.

For those who need medical intervention, there are oral medications that either relax the muscles around the prostate or shrink the gland itself. These are well-tolerated and often enough to restore quality of life.

In more advanced cases, minimally invasive procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or newer treatments like Rezum therapy, which uses water vapor to target and shrink prostate tissue, offer effective relief with minimal downtime. Surgery is typically only needed for very large prostates or when other treatments are no longer effective. One of the common minimally invasive options today is HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate), a laser procedure that removes excess prostate tissue to relieve blockage and improve urine flow.
 

You Don’t Have to “Just Live with It”

Too many men suffer in silence, believing that urinary issues are an inevitable part of ageing. But they’re not. A change in bathroom habits, especially waking up multiple times a night, could be your body’s way of saying something isn’t right.

If these symptoms sound familiar, speak to a doctor. Early diagnosis and personalised treatment can make a real difference, not just to your sleep, but to your confidence, independence, and overall quality of life.
 

Don’t Ignore the Signs — Speak to a Urologist Today

At Sunway Medical Centre Velocity, our Consultant Urologists are here to help you understand what’s normal, what’s not, and what can be done. Whether you’re seeking peace of mind or looking for the right treatment plan, we’re ready to support you every step of the way. Your symptoms might not be caused by Prostate Enlargement after all.
 

Take the First Step Toward Better Health

If you’ve been silently coping with frequent trips to the bathroom, disrupted sleep, or other urinary issues, it’s time to stop brushing it off. Your body could be trying to tell you something important. You don’t have to live with the discomfort or uncertainty, solutions are available, and help is closer than you think.

Take charge of your health today, not someday. A simple consultation could bring the answers and relief you’ve been waiting for.

Make an appointment with our Consultant Urologists at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity to get started.

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