Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Prostate problems

3-minute read


What is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland found only in men. It sits in the groin, behind the base of the penis inside the body. The main function of the prostate is to produce one of the major fluids that make up semen.

The urethra, the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the penis, also runs through the prostate. The prostate connects to the urethra so that the fluid it makes can be mixed with the fluid from the testes and ejaculated.

Anything that causes swelling or enlargement to the prostate can affect a man’s ability to pass urine because the urethra goes through the prostate gland. Trouble passing urine is one of the most common signs that there may be a problem with the prostate.

What types of prostate problems are there?

There are 3 main conditions that can affect your prostate. They are:

  • prostate enlargement
  • prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
  • prostate cancer

Prostate enlargement and prostate cancer usually only affect men over the age of 50 and about half of men over this age will have some prostate enlargement. Prostatitis is caused by bacteria and can affect men of any age. It is important for men, no matter what their age, to discuss prostate health with their doctor, and it can be talked about no matter what the reason for your visit to the doctor is.

What are the symptoms of prostate problems?

The common symptoms of prostate disease are:

  • difficulty in passing urine, for example difficulty getting started or dribbling
  • frequent urination
  • waking at night to urinate
  • pain or burning when passing urine
  • pain when ejaculating
  • cloudy urine
  • blood in the urine
  • pain in your scrotum, penis, testicles or rectum

If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor.

How are prostate problems treated?

Treatment for prostate disease depends on the condition and how severe the symptoms are. Sometimes, no treatment is required.

If you have an enlarged prostate, then you will need treatment only if it is causing you problems. The treatments include medication and surgery.

If you have prostatitis then medications, including antibiotics, can help.

If you have prostate cancer, then there is a choice between waiting to see if it will grow quickly or not (some prostate cancers don't) and having treatment like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. You will need to talk to your doctor in detail about this.

Looking after yourself

You may be able to reduce the symptoms of prostate problems by:

  • avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which can both make you urinate more often
  • avoiding spicy or acidic foods, which can irritate your bladder
  • avoiding drinking late in the evening to reduce the chances of having to urinate during the night
  • avoiding sitting or bicycling for too long, as these can irritate the prostate
  • making sure you drink plenty of water to flush bacteria from your bladder
  • increasing the amount of fruit and fibre you eat to avoid constipation, which can put pressure on your bladder and your prostate
  • avoiding the unnecessary use of cold and allergy medicines such as decongestants and antihistamines, which can affect muscles in the bladder
  • sitting in a warm bath to ease symptoms

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2020


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Prostate cancer | Healthy Male

Prostate cancer is a condition that causes abnormal cells to develop within the prostate gland. These cells grow, divide and multiply, creating a tumour, and sometimes spread to other parts of the body.

Read more on Healthy Male - Andrology Australia website

Exercising your way to recovery from prostate cancer treatment | Healthy Male

Regular exercise is an essential ingredient for good health; it helps our immune systems, cardiovascular systems and joints. It can help to prevent chronic disease and has well-known benefits for our mental health.

Read more on Healthy Male - Andrology Australia website

Ask the Doc: Should I have a PSA test done? | Healthy Male

Question I've seen a lot about PSA tests for prostate cancer in the news recently. Is this a test all men should have done regardless of any symptoms?

Read more on Healthy Male - Andrology Australia website

Urinary problems (LUTS) | Healthy Male

LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) are symptoms related to problems with your lower urinary tract: your bladder, your prostate and your urethra. LUTS are broadly grouped into symptoms to do with storing or passing urine. You might have symptoms linked mainly to one or the other, or a combination of both.

Read more on Healthy Male - Andrology Australia website

Prostatitis | Healthy Male

If you’re experiencing pain and discomfort in and around your prostate, you might have prostatitis. Prostatitis is when the prostate becomes inflamed, which can make the prostate feel sore and irritated. Sometimes it’s very painful, and can have a huge effect on your quality of life.

Read more on Healthy Male - Andrology Australia website

Prostate cancer | Cancer Institute NSW

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men

Read more on Cancer Institute NSW website

Rare Cancers Australia - Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate.

Read more on Rare Cancers Australia website

Prostate Cancer | Cancer Council NSW

Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland start to grow more rapidly than normal cells, & in an uncontrolled way. Learn more now.

Read more on Cancer Council Australia website

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment - Targeting Cancer

Learn more about brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer.

Read more on Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer website

Prostate Cancer - Cancer Council Victoria

Key questions on prostate cancer such as what is it, how common is it & what are the risk factors & symptoms.

Read more on Cancer Council Victoria website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.