Prostate problems
Prostate problems may cause frequent urination, waking up at night to use the toilet, a weaker urine stream or elevated PSA. At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, we diagnose the cause of symptoms — benign prostatic hyperplasia, inflammation, urination disorders or conditions that require further diagnosis.
The first step is a urological consultation — the doctor will assess your symptoms, PSA result and decide whether further tests are needed.
prostate diagnostics, PSA, BPH and urination disorders
Krukowski, Kłącz, Gondek — different appointment dates
the result is always interpreted in clinical context
diagnostics of the most common causes of symptoms
a calm conversation without rush or judgment
What is the prostate and why can it cause symptoms?
The prostate, also called the prostate gland, is a male organ located below the bladder. It surrounds the initial part of the urethra and helps produce part of the seminal fluid. With age, the prostate may enlarge, and because of its location, even benign changes can affect urination.
Prostate-related symptoms may be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, bladder function disorders, infection and, in some cases, a cancerous disease. That is why it is not worth assuming on your own that “it is just age” or “just the prostate” — the cause requires urological assessment.
Important: similar symptoms may have different causes. A weak urine stream, waking up at night to urinate, urinary urgency or elevated PSA is not yet a diagnosis — it is a signal that it is worth seeing a urologist.
Most common symptoms of prostate diseases
Symptoms may develop slowly and be ignored for a long time. It is worth seeing a urologist especially when they persist for several weeks, worsen or affect sleep, comfort of life or a sense of safety.
- weak or interrupted urine stream,
- difficulty starting urination,
- feeling of incomplete bladder emptying,
- frequent urination during the day,
- nocturia, meaning waking up at night to use the toilet,
- sudden, hard-to-control urinary urgency,
- burning, pain or discomfort during urination,
- pain in the perineum, lower abdomen, anal area or lower back,
- blood in urine or semen,
- erection or ejaculation problems accompanying urological symptoms.
When should you see a urologist?
- you have difficulty urinating or your urine stream is clearly weaker than before,
- you wake up at night to use the toilet more often than usual,
- you have an elevated PSA result and do not know what to do next,
- you notice blood in your urine or semen,
- you feel pain in the perineum, lower abdomen or prostate area,
- you are over 50 and have never seen a urologist,
- there has been prostate cancer in your family and you want to plan prevention.
What prostate problems does a urologist diagnose?
During the consultation, the doctor does not assess the symptom alone, but the entire clinical picture: the patient’s age, duration of symptoms, PSA result, urine tests, ultrasound, chronic diseases, medications and risk factors.
Most common causes of symptoms
An enlarged prostate may compress the urethra and cause a weaker urine stream, frequent urination, nocturia or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. BPH is not cancer, but it may require treatment.
It may be acute or chronic. Acute inflammation with fever, severe pain and difficulty urinating requires urgent medical help. Chronic symptoms should also be assessed by a urologist.
PSA may increase in BPH, prostatitis, after prostate irritation, but also in the course of prostate cancer. One result is not enough to diagnose or rule out disease.
What may the consultation include?
The doctor asks about urination frequency, waking up at night, pain, blood in urine or semen, previous test results and comorbidities.
Urological consultation →The urologist assesses PSA in the context of age, changes over time, prostate size, symptoms and physical examination. If necessary, the doctor recommends further diagnostics.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may recommend observation, pharmacological treatment, additional tests, PSA follow-up or referral for further specialist diagnostics.
The choice of further pathway depends on the doctor’s individual assessment. This page describes possible causes of symptoms — it does not replace a urological consultation.
What is PSA and how should the result be understood?
PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by prostate cells. Its level may be elevated for various reasons: benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, after prostate irritation, but also in the course of prostate cancer.
The PSA result alone is not enough to diagnose prostate cancer or rule out disease. The urologist interprets it in the context of the patient’s age, symptoms, previous results, PSA growth rate, physical examination and possible imaging tests.
Do not interpret PSA on your own:
- one result does not tell the whole story,
- elevated PSA does not always mean cancer,
- normal PSA does not always completely rule out a problem,
- the decision about further diagnostics should be made by a doctor.
How to prepare for a urological consultation?
- write down your symptoms, how long they have lasted and whether they are getting worse,
- bring previous PSA results, urine tests, ultrasound results or hospital discharge summaries,
- prepare a list of medications you take, especially prostate medications, blood pressure medications and anticoagulants,
- tell the doctor about chronic diseases, surgeries and cases of prostate cancer in your family,
- be prepared for the possibility of a rectal examination — it is an important part of prostate assessment.
Our urologists in Gdańsk
urologist, andrologist, aesthetic urology
Urological and andrological consultations, diagnostics of prostate diseases, urination disorders and men’s health problems.
urologist
Urological consultations — diagnostics and treatment of prostate, bladder, kidney and lower urinary tract diseases.
Doctor’s profile · Book a visiturologist
Urological consultations — diagnostics of prostate and urinary tract symptoms.
Doctor’s profile · Book a visitDo you have prostate symptoms or elevated PSA?
Book a consultation — the urologist will assess your symptoms, PSA result and suggest the right next steps.
Frequently asked questions about the prostate
What are the first symptoms of prostate problems?
Most often, they are symptoms related to urination: weaker stream, difficulty starting urination, more frequent toilet visits, waking up at night, sudden urgency or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Does elevated PSA always mean prostate cancer?
No. PSA may also be elevated in benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis or after prostate irritation. The result should be assessed by a urologist in the context of age, symptoms, physical examination and previous results.
Is benign prostatic hyperplasia cancer?
No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a non-cancerous condition. However, it may cause troublesome symptoms and complications, so it requires urological assessment, especially when urination disorders worsen.
When should I see a urologist for the first time because of the prostate?
A visit is worth considering after the age of 50, and earlier if symptoms, elevated PSA or a family history of prostate cancer are present. The final follow-up plan is best established individually with a doctor.
What does a urological consultation about the prostate look like?
The doctor takes a medical history, assesses symptoms, PSA results, urine tests or ultrasound results and, if needed, performs a rectal examination. Based on this, the doctor plans further management: observation, treatment, follow-up or additional diagnostics.
Is a rectal examination necessary?
Not always, but it is often an important part of prostate assessment. It allows the doctor to assess the size, consistency and tenderness of the gland by palpation. The decision about the examination is made by the urologist after speaking with the patient.
Which doctors consult prostate diseases at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej?
Urological consultations are provided by: dr n. med. Jakub Krukowski, dr n. med. Jakub Kłącz and lek. Jakub Gondek. An appointment can be booked by phone or via ZnanyLekarz.
What do patients most often see a urologist for?
You do not have to wait for severe symptoms. An early consultation helps determine the cause faster and plan further management.
Weaker urine stream and waking up at night
This is a common reason for consultation. Symptoms may be caused by BPH, but require assessment, especially if they worsen or disturb sleep.
Elevated PSA
The PSA result requires medical interpretation. The urologist assesses whether follow-up, treatment of inflammation, additional tests or further diagnostics are needed.
Pain, burning or blood in urine
These symptoms should not be postponed. They may require more urgent urinary tract diagnostics and specialist assessment.
Related services — urology at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej
Full urology offer of the clinic — consultations, diagnostics and doctor profiles.
Assessment of symptoms, PSA results, examination and a plan for further diagnostics or treatment.
Details →Scope of urological services at the clinic — prostate, bladder, kidneys, urethra and men’s health.
Details →Profile of a urologist and andrologist — scope of consultations, appointment dates.
Profile and appointments →Urologist’s profile — consultations, diagnostics and treatment of urinary tract diseases.
Profile and appointments →Urologist’s profile — consultations regarding the prostate and urinary tract.
Profile and appointments →Book a urological consultation in Gdańsk
Do not postpone prostate symptoms. A urologist will assess your symptoms, PSA result and suggest the right next steps.
The information on this page is general and educational and does not replace medical consultation. Diagnosis of prostate diseases, PSA interpretation and the decision about further diagnostics require individual assessment by a doctor. In the event of blood in the urine, urinary retention, fever, severe pain or sudden deterioration of health, contact a doctor urgently or report to an appropriate medical facility. Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, ul. Toruńska 15, Gdańsk. Tel.: 600 006 913.