BPH and Urinary Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms and Management

If you’ve heard about Benign prostatic hyperplasia (AKA BPH), or you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, you may be asking yourself “does BPH cause urinary incontinence?”

It is a common condition among middle-aged and older men, even if you might not hear about it in passing conversations.¹ It often causes bladder issues, and many men live with symptoms for years before seeing a doctor.^1,2

In this article, we explore what BPH is, why it affects the bladder, and practical everyday steps to help manage it.

What Is BPH?

While it could feel nerve-wrecking being diagnosed, you should know that BPH is not prostate cancer, and it does not increase our risk for it.^1,2

To understand BPH better, let’s go back to the basics. What is your prostate?

Your prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below your bladder and wraps around your urethra (a tube that helps carry pee out of your body).² As you get older, your prostate slowly grows.²

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the name for this non-cancerous growth.2 When the prostate gets bigger over time, it could press on the urethra and make it harder for pee to flow out.¹ It may also put constant pressure on the bladder, causing urinary symptoms.²

How Common Is BPH?

BPH is a common condition that affects men as they age.¹ It affects 50% of men in their 50s and could reach 90% among men in their 70s.¹

Most men who live with BPH rarely see their doctor about the symptoms they feel, even though it's common.²

But there are experienced specialists, a lot of resources, and management options that could help you feel better.

What Is Urinary Incontinence in the Context of BPH?

You might notice BPH incontinence showing up in different ways.^3,4,5 And knowing these differences could help you better understand your symptoms.³

With BPH, you might notice:

• Urge incontinence: An enlarged prostate could cause an obstruction, making your bladder more sensitive.³ You might notice sudden urges to pee before leaks happen.³
• Overflow incontinence: BPH could prevent your bladder from emptying fully.4 You might notice leaks, dribbling, or a constant need to use the bathroom after peeing.⁴
• Post-micturition dribble (PMD): You might notice leaks or dribbles after peeing as you leave the toilet.5 It is a common urinary symptom that could show up in BPH.⁵

While it might be confusing trying to figure out the type you have, your doctor is there to guide you through.

We’re here to help you decipher incontinence. Read our article about the different types of urinary incontinence to help you understand bladder leaks better.

What Causes BPH and How Does It Lead to Urinary Incontinence?

While it may not be clear why BPH happens, hormone shifts as you age may play a big role.⁶

For BPH, incontinence it starts as your prostate grows, and presses on your urethra.¹ Over time, your bladder has to work harder to push urine through your narrowed tube.⁷

Changes like this could make your bladder more sensitive, causing other BPH urinary symptoms like urges, or feeling your bladder is not empty.^3,7

Outside this process, certain factors could worsen BPH symptoms like bladder leaks, including:⁸

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Being overweight
• Lack of physical activity
• Certain medications

What Are the Warning Signs of BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms could be irritative or obstructive.⁹

Some of them you might notice include:

Obstructive symptoms

• Weak pee stream¹
• Straining to pee¹
• Stopping and starting when peeing¹
• Feeling like your bladder isn't empty¹
• Dribbling at the end of peeing⁹

Irritative symptoms

• Frequent bathroom breaks at night¹
• Sudden urges to pee¹
• Urge incontinence³

Noticing symptoms could feel a bit overwhelming, but you don’t need to wait before speaking with your doctor.

Diagnosis and Tests for BPH

Seeing a doctor about your symptoms may feel stressful or overwhelming. But, let’s look at who you need to see and what your BPH diagnosis process might look like:

What Type of Doctor Treats BPH?

The first person to see is your doctor. They may run some tests or ask questions about your symptoms before referring you to a urologist.¹⁰

A urologist is a doctor who specializes in urinary issues like BPH.¹¹ In some settings, a continence specialist nurse could also help with non-surgical support.¹²

You do not have to worry. Doctors see BPH symptoms every day and are trained to help.

How Is BPH Diagnosed?

Getting a diagnosis is a step-by-step process.

Medical History

Your doctor might start here with questions about your symptoms and medications.¹

You could expect to answer questions about when your symptoms started, how often they happen, and how they affect your daily life.¹

Your doctor might also ask you to fill out a questionnaire called the International Prostate Symptom Score to check your symptom severity.¹

Physical Examination

After taking your medical history, your doctor might move to a physical examination.¹ They may perform a Digital Rectal Examination to check the shape, size, and texture of your prostate.^1,11

It involves using a lubricated gloved finger to feel your prostate through the rectum.¹¹ It might feel uncomfortable, but it is quick, routine, and an important part of the diagnosis.¹¹

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test

This blood test helps your doctor rule out prostate cancer.¹ But even with high PSA levels, it may not mean you have prostate cancer.¹¹

Urinalysis

Your doctor might order a test to check your pee for infections or other issues that may be causing your urinary symptoms.¹

For further tests, you might need to see a urologist.⁷ They may order tests to check how your bladder fills and empties.¹ Some of these tests include ultrasound imaging and urodynamic testing.⁷

These tests are usually non-invasive or minimally invasive and may help your doctors get a clearer picture of what might be going on.^1,7,11

Management and Treatment of BPH

Management of BPH symptoms often depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.

For instance, men with mild symptoms, monitoring and lifestyle changes could help before the need for medications or procedures arises.¹

Let’s look at some of the options your doctor might recommend:

Incontinence Products and Support

Incontinence products are a great way to help manage leaks. A high-quality product will offer features like:

• Different absorbency levels: Whether you need something for light leaks or more, there’s an option to match your needs.
• Anatomical fit: Designed to match your body's shape, helping you stay comfortable and leak-free.
• Odor control: Built-in technology helps trap in odors, so you could feel fresh and at ease no matter what your day holds.

Here are some options you could try:

• Male Incontinence Guards: Offer extra protection with a comfortable, low-bulk fit.
• Male Incontinence Shields: Slim, discreet, lightly absorbent for minor leaks.
• Male Incontinence Underwear: High absorbency briefs that fit seamlessly under clothing.

To get you started, here are some guides for incontinence:

• How to wear male pads and shields
• Find the right incontinence product
• How often to change male pads

Lifestyle Management for BPH

Some BPH lifestyle management options you could try include:

Fluid Management

It might be tempting to reduce how much water you drink, but it could actually do more harm than good.¹³

Too much or too little fluid could affect your bladder.¹³

Too much might overwhelm it (causing leaks), but too little might lead to concentrated urine, which may cause urgency and frequent bathroom visits too.¹³

Tip: Try to stop drinking fluids 3 to 4 hours before bed.¹⁴

Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics and bladder irritants that could cause you to pee more.^15,16 That is why reducing these in the evening could help with nighttime bathroom breaks.^15,16

Double Voiding

In short, it involves peeing twice.¹⁶ And helps your bladder empty more fully, reducing overflow symptoms.¹⁶ How does it work? After peeing, wait a moment and try to pee again.¹⁶

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises for men, AKA Kegels, may help strengthen your pelvic muscles.¹⁷ Over time, you might notice fewer BPH symptoms, especially leaks and dribbles after peeing.¹⁷

Healthy Weight and Physical Activity

Regular exercise is not only good for your body, but also for your prostate.¹⁶ Extra weight may worsen BPH symptoms, which is why some men notice relief with weight loss.¹⁶

Diet

A diet rich in vegetables and low in saturated fat may help to slow prostate growth.¹⁸

Consider a Mediterranean-style diet rich in zinc and lycopene, like those found in tomatoes and broccoli, could also help support prostate health.¹⁸

Before starting any diets or supplements, it would be best to talk to your doctor first.¹⁸

Need more food ideas to help build your meal plan? Here is a list of foods to avoid and eat more of for your bladder health.

Bladder Training

It involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to help retrain your overactive bladder and increase bladder capacity over time.¹⁹

How Is BPH Treated Medically?

Sometimes, your doctor might recommend medication or minimally invasive medical devices to help with BPH symptoms like urgency, a weak urine stream, and bladder leaks.^1,7

But, if your symptoms continue to affect your daily life or become severe, a urologist could recommend different surgical methods.⁷

When Should You See a Healthcare Professional About BPH?

It’s okay to feel hesitant, but seeing your doctor early could help in the long run.

So, when do you see a doctor for BPH symptoms? It might be time to speak to your doctor if you notice:

• Blood in your pee⁷
• Pain while peeing⁷
• Being unable to pee at all (this needs immediate medical attention)^2,7
• Symptoms that suddenly get worse²
• Bladder leaks after surgery or overflow incontinence^1,7
• Symptoms affecting your sleep, work, or daily life¹
• You are over 50 and have never had a prostate assessment²⁰
• You are over 40 with a family history of prostate cancer²⁰

How Can You Reduce Your Risk of BPH Worsening?

It might not be possible to prevent BPH, but there are some lifestyle changes that could help support your prostate health:²⁰

• Staying physically active⁷
• Maintaining a healthy weight²⁰
• Eating meals rich in vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats¹⁸
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine²⁰
• Asking your doctor about medications that could worsen your symptoms²⁰
• Practicing regular pelvic floor exercises²⁰
• Keeping up with regular prostate check-ups¹⁹
• Managing conditions like diabetes and heart disease with your doctor⁶

FAQ

What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH is a common condition among men in their 50s, but it doesn't increase your risk for prostate cancer.^1,2

BPH is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate that occurs as you age.^1,2

An enlarged prostate could press on your urethra, affecting how your pee flows, and causing symptoms like:¹

• Urgency
• Multiple bathroom breaks
• Feeling like your bladder is not empty
• Bladder leaks
• Weak urine stream

How to Tell If You Have Bladder or Prostate Issues?

BPH could cause urinary symptoms, which is why it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between bladder and prostate issues without medical help.

Some symptoms are similar, like urgency, multiple bathroom visits, and waking up at night to pee.^1,21

But some signs are more prostate-related blockage, including:

• Dribbling after peeing⁹
• Weak urine stream¹
• Straining to pee¹

Other symptoms may point more toward a bladder issue, such as:²¹

• Bladder pain
• Blood in your pee
• Burning when you pee

It’s still important to speak to your doctor about any urinary symptoms you notice. They could help find the cause using simple checks and tests if needed.^1,21

H3:

Can BPH Cause Intense Pain?

BPH on its own does not usually cause intense pain.¹ You might notice a feeling of pressure or that your bladder is not emptying fully, which may feel uncomfortable.¹

If you notice symptoms like these, it is important to speak to your doctor, as it may be a sign of complications such as prostatitis or bladder stones.⁷

• Pain when peeing
• Inability to pass urine (urinary retention)
• Intense lower back pain

What Are the First Signs of BPH?

BPH often shows up with common symptoms like:⁶

• Multiple bathroom breaks
• Peeing more often at night
• Trouble starting your stream
• Weak urine stream
• Dribbling after peeing
• Feeling unable to fully empty your bladder

They may happen gradually, and are easy to dismiss as part of aging, but you should speak to a doctor, early for the best outcome.¹¹

Does BPH Cause Urinary Incontinence?

Yes, BPH could cause urinary incontinence, but it may happen in different ways.

For instance, an enlarged prostate might cause a blockage that makes your bladder overactive, leading to sudden urges to pee before leaks happen.³

BPH could also stop your bladder from emptying fully, which may cause dribbling or leaks.4 In cases like post-micturition dribble, you might notice leaks as you leave the toilet.⁴

Bladder issues are common with BPH, but you do not have to live with them. They are manageable, and seeing your doctor is the first step.²

Can BPH Be Managed Without Surgery?

Yes, there are ways that could help when managing BPH without surgery, especially for men with mild to moderate symptoms. They include:

• Fluid management¹³
• Reducing caffeine and alcohol^15,16
• Pelvic floor exercises¹⁷
• Bladder training¹⁶
• Certain medications^1,7

It is important to let your doctor know before starting or stopping any medications. Your doctor might only recommend surgery if complications develop or other options do not help relieve your symptoms.⁷

Is BPH Contagious?

BPH is not contagious or infectious. It is a non-communicable condition that shows up because of shifts in your hormones as you age.¹

What Is the Best Treatment for BPH?

Your treatment options depend on your symptoms, the size of your prostate, your overall health, and your preference.^1,6 For instance:

• Mild symptoms might only need lifestyle changes and monitoring.¹
• Moderate to severe symptoms might need medication or, in some cases, surgery.¹

Your doctor or urologist is the best person to help guide you through your options.

Can BPH Be Cured?

Unfortunately, no, but many men manage BPH symptoms well for years.2, 22 Alongside lifestyle changes, your doctor might also recommend medications or surgery to help relieve symptoms.¹

References

1. Ng M, Baradhi KM. Benign prostatic hyperplasia [Internet]. National Library of Medicine. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558920/

2.Benign enlarged prostate: Overview [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279204/

3. Nahon I. Physiotherapy management of incontinence in men. Journal of Physiotherapy. 2021 Apr;67(2):87–94.

4. Ann Tee-Melegrito R. Overflow incontinence: Symptoms, causes, and treatments [Internet]. www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2022. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/overflow-incontinence

5. Liu SP, Ko PW, Ho CH. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postmicturition Dribble in Men. Urological Science [Internet]. 2023 Oct 1;34(4):199. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ursc/fulltext/2023/34040/prevalence_and_risk_factors_of_postmicturition.8.aspx?context=latestarticles

6. Mayo Clinic. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20370087

7. Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2024. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia

8. Arnold MJ, Gaillardetz A, Ohiokpehai J. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Rapid Evidence Review. American Family Physician [Internet]. 2023 Jun 1;107(6):613–22. Available from: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/0600/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia.html

9. What’s benign prostatic hyperplasia? [Internet]. Mayo Clinic Health System. 2021. Available from: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/mens-health-whats-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia

10. Benign prostate enlargement [Internet]. www.nhsinform.scot. 2026. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/kidneys-bladder-and-prostate/benign-prostate-enlargement/

11. Benign prostate enlargement [Internet]. NHS inform. 2026. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/kidneys-bladder-and-prostate/benign-prostate-enlargement#diagnosing-benign-prostate-enlargement

12. Liu H, Wu J. Nursing strategies for managing urological disorders in aging populations: a comprehensive review. BMC Urology. 2026 Feb 27;

13. Patino E. 7 Tips for Healthy Eating and Drinking with BPH [Internet]. EverydayHealth.com. 2023 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/prostate/watching-what-and-how-you-drink-with-bph/

14. Hou XY, Zhang L, Zhang ZJ, Xu W, Ye LW, Zhao HY, et al. Nocturia: An overview of current evaluation and treatment strategies. World Journal of Methodology. 2025 Dec 20;15(4).

15. Jenkins S. The “Big Four” Bladder Irritants - National Association for Continence [Internet]. National Association for Continence. Available from: https://nafc.org/bhealth-blog/the-big-four-bladder-irritants/

16. NHS website. Enlarged prostate [Internet]. Nhs.uk. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/enlarged-prostate/

17. Treatments for Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence) | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2021. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/treatment

18. Galan N. Enlarged prostate diet: Foods to eat and avoid [Internet]. www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2024. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321079#foods-to-avoid

19. Rees M. What to know about bladder training for overactive bladder, and how to do it [Internet]. Medicalnewstoday.com. Medical News Today; 2022 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/bladder-training#definition

20. WebMD Editorial Contributors. Can I Prevent BPH? [Internet]. WebMD. 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/can-i-prevent-bph

21. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults | NIDDK [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2024. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults

22. Stephanie Watson, WebMD Editorial Contributor. What Is BPH? [Internet]. WebMD. WebMD; 2016. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/what-is-bph