The prostate is a gland just below the bladder.

It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The prostate helps control the release of urine and makes the fluid for semen.

A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut.

But the gland grows as men age. Half of men age 50 have some form of enlarged prostate.

Doctors aren’t sure why some men get an enlarged prostate. But they think that hormones make the prostate grow.

For some men, symptoms are uncomfortable and hard to live with.

As the prostate grows, it may press on the urethra, which is connected to the bladder. This may make urinating difficult, or cause a weak stream of urine. It may also cause problems like infections.

Over time, straining to urinate with an enlarged prostate may thicken the muscles that line the bladder. This makes the bladder less efficient at emptying, making your symptoms worse.

The good news is that there are many different ways to treat an enlarged prostate. Your doctor may prescribe medicines that affect the condition in different ways.

One type of medicine can relax smooth muscles in the prostate. This eases the pressure on the urethra and bladder.

Another kind of medicine can shrink the prostate’s size in some men, easing pressure on the urethra. This medicine reduces your risk of developing a blocked bladder.

Your doctor may also suggest procedures using lasers or controlled heat. As a last resort, you may need surgery to correct the problem.