What It Means When A Man Has A Slow Pee Stream – Health Digest

If you’ve developed a slower-than-normal urine stream, it’s likely indicative of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate (via UroCenter). Prevalence rates for BPH stand at around 8% for men in their 40s, but climb to approximately 80% for men in their 90s, according to 2017 research published in the Asian Journal of Urology. For those diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, pressure is exerted from the gland onto the urethra, or the tube that facilitates the movement and discharge of urine from the body. With less room to flow, our urine stream loses force and becomes weaker.

In some cases, urinary hesitancy may be a symptom of bladder or prostate cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that roughly 13 in every 100 men in the U.S. will be affected by prostate cancer in their life. Along with a weak pee stream, additional symptoms may include difficulty initiating urination, frequent nighttime bathroom trips, burning sensations while peeing, pain during ejaculation, or blood in one’s pee or semen. While there is no standard screening test for prostate cancer, healthcare providers may use a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or a digital rectal examination (DRE), although the latter is not advised by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.