The prostate is a small gland that plays an important role in men’s health, particularly as they age. Prostate conditions are common, but many men delay medical care because they believe urinary or pelvic symptoms are just part of aging.
According to Vitaly Zholudev, MD, early evaluation by a urologist can improve treatment options and outcomes. Even mild symptoms may indicate early stages of prostate enlargement, inflammation, or cancer. Seeking timely evaluation can help detect issues before they become serious.
John Watson, MD, board-certified urologist and Section Chief of Urology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton and an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider, stated: “the biggest mistake men make is waiting too long. Symptoms like slow urination or waking up multiple times at night might seem harmless, but they’re often the first signs that the prostate is under stress. The earlier we evaluate it, the easier it is to treat.”
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlargement of the prostate, is the most common prostate-related condition. Although BPH is not cancerous, it can affect daily life with symptoms such as difficulty starting urination, weak urine stream, frequent urination at night, feeling that the bladder does not fully empty, sudden urgency to urinate, and dribbling after urination.
Men experiencing any of these symptoms should consult a urologist. These issues may also signal prostatitis—an inflammation or infection common among younger and middle-aged men—or less commonly prostate cancer. Symptoms like burning during urination, pelvic discomfort, difficulty sitting, or pain radiating to the back or groin usually require medical attention.
Vitaly Zholudev emphasized: “Many men tough it out or hope the symptoms will go away, but that can lead to complications. Persistent pelvic pain, urinary changes, or blood in the urine should always be checked by a doctor. These may not be emergencies, but they are absolutely red flags.”
Warning signs include blood in urine or semen, inability to urinate, severe lower abdominal pain, unexpected weight loss, new erectile dysfunction problems and recurrent urinary tract infections. These require prompt evaluation as they may point to more advanced health issues.
Urology has made advances so that most prostate problems can now be managed with medication and minimally invasive procedures that offer faster recovery times.
For those noticing changes in urinary or pelvic function—even minor ones—consulting a urologist remains an important step for maintaining health as men age.
Dr. Watson and Dr. Zholudev see patients at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s Columbus location at 1 Sheffield Drive.
