As it’s revealed King Charles is suffering from an enlarged prostate, we explain the symptoms and treatments for this common condition
WORDS: SOPHIE BARTON PHOTOS: GETTY
King Charles, 75, won praise for revealing that he has needed treatment for an enlarged prostate, and for good reason. This walnut-sized gland may start off small, but over time it causes trouble for nearly 50% of men. Yet it’s something many of us know little about. So what exactly is the prostate, and what symptoms should we – and the men in our life – be looking out for?
“The prostate sits underneath the bladder,” explains Hamid Abboudi, prostate disease expert and consultant urologist at New Victoria Hospital and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. “It produces a fluid that mixes with sperm to produce semen, and starts around the size of a walnut. But when men are in their thirties, it often begins to grow. While a normal prostate weighs around 25g, an enlarged prostate can reach the size of a tennis ball, weighing as much as 500g.”
Sounds painful, doesn’t it? It can certainly prove uncomfortable. While it’s not usually a health threat, an enlarged prostate can press on the bladder and urethra, restricting the flow of urine and causing erectile issues.
“By their forties, around 15% of men have symptoms of an enlarged prostate,” explains Mr Abboudi. “That increases to around 40% in their sixties. The symptoms are similar to prostate cancer, but that is less common. Either way, it’s important to get any changes checked out.”
Buckingham Palace hasn’t revealed the details of the King’s corrective procedure, but treatments range from lifestyle changes such as cutting out caffeine and alcohol to medication and surgery. Diagnosis is straightforward, too.
“A patient usually has a physical exam, which involves the doctor inserting a finger in the back passage,” says Mr Abboudi. “They’ll also fill in a bladder diary to assess how much they drink and urinate. They might be referred to a urology clinic or for more specialist tests, like an ultrasound.”
Unfortunately though, men are often embarrassed and delay seeking help from their GP. “If you think your partner is showing signs of a prostate problem, encourage them to see their doctor,” urges Mr Abboudi. “Whatever the outcome, an earlier diagnosis always offers the best chance of treatment.”
Here, we explain the prostate symptoms to watch out for...
1 FREQUENT URINATION
“Look out
