Should You Drink Less If You Have BPH?

Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate often find themselves needing to go to the bathroom quite urgently or frequently. This is a normal part of prostatic enlargement as the gland wraps around the urethra, creating lower urinary tract symptoms, including urinary frequency and urgency when it swells. These symptoms can be very disruptive, and generally, the degree of prostatic enlargement makes a big difference in how severe the symptoms might be. While there are many treatment options, including minimally invasive ones with as little as five minutes of treatment time (think Rezum water vapor therapy), many patients opt to live with their enlarged prostate and make compromises in their life and lifestyle. Patients quickly realize that limiting their fluid intake significantly affects symptoms. But should you stop drinking water when you have BPH?

The answer is most definitely not. Let’s talk about why.

Hydration is critically important to both mental and physical health. Even a one percent reduction in hydration can create symptoms. For some, dehydration can cause anxiety and head hunger, which makes you eat more, even if you are full. Physically, patients can experience chronic fatigue and exhaustion, reduced muscle function, and more. From a urinary standpoint, dehydration can significantly increase the risk of kidney stones, which can be extremely painful. Some kidney stones, however, can grow so prominent within the kidney, even if detected, that they start to compromise—kidney function. Bladder stones can also be caused by dehydration and are often worsened by the restriction of the urethra by prostatic enlargement. Dehydration can also cause an overactive bladder due to irritation from concentrated urine pooling therein.

Coping Mechanisms

Now that you know that you must continue to hydrate even with BPH, it’s essential to understand that coping mechanisms are available when needed. The best advice we can offer as urologists is to continue drinking the requisite 64+ ounces of water each day but do some more strategically. This may mean not drinking water within two hours before bed. The same is true for eating food, as many foods also contain a good deal of water that can increase your need to go to the bathroom overnight. You can use the same strategy before a big event. Just make sure you go to the toilet and limit your fluid about an hour and a half before the event.

Remember that you need more if you are performing an activity in the heat or sweating a lot. Don’t risk dehydration during a hot day or when working out hard.

Getting a BPH Procedure

Most men do not realize how simple it is to get their BPH treated. We have half a dozen legitimately good options, from minimally invasive, in-office options to more extensive surgical methods, that can treat any size prostate and anatomy. Each, of course, has its pros and cons, which will be discussed during your consultation. Very few conditions with such significant lifestyle impediments have so many great treatment options. Contact us to learn more and understand your BPH treatment options. Stop compromising your lifestyle because of your lower urinary tract symptoms. The solution is easy.