Prostate Gland and Urinary Problems in Grand Rapids, MI

The prostate gland is a small male reproductive organ, about the size of a walnut, located at the base of the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the thin tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The prostate produces fluid that helps protect and nourish sperm.

Because the urethra runs directly through the prostate, any change in the size or shape of the prostate can affect how easily urine flows. This is a common issue for men in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, especially as they get older.

How the Prostate Gland Grows Over Time

Two main growth spurts

The prostate goes through two main growth phases:

  1. Puberty:

    • Driven by male sex hormones (androgens) produced by the testicles
    • The gland grows to an average adult weight of about 20 grams

  2. Adulthood (starting in the 30s):

    • For reasons that are not fully understood, the prostate begins a second slow growth phase
    • By the time men reach their 70s, the prostate may weigh around 40 grams on average

As men in Grand Rapids age, many notice changes in their urination. These changes are often related to inflammation or enlargement of the prostate, but not always.

Enlarged Prostate vs. Prostate Cancer

An enlarged prostate does not always cause urinary problems

An enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH) is very common as men get older. However:

  • Some men with a large prostate have few or no symptoms
  • Others with a smaller prostate may have significant urinary problems

Urinary symptoms are rarely a sign of prostate cancer

Most urinary symptoms in older men are caused by:

  • BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia): non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate
  • Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate, sometimes due to infection

Prostate cancer can sometimes cause urinary symptoms, but troublesome urinary symptoms are rarely the first sign of prostate cancer. Still, any new or worsening symptoms should be checked by a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids.

Common Urinary Symptoms Linked to Prostate Problems

Men in West Michigan often notice urinary changes over time, especially during cold Grand Rapids winters when people may delay going to the bathroom or drink less water. Common symptoms include:

  • Needing to urinate more often during the day
  • Needing to get up at night to urinate (nocturia)
  • Urinary urgency – a sudden, strong urge to urinate
  • Difficulty starting urination (hesitancy)
  • Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
  • Dribbling after finishing urination
  • Feeling that the bladder is not fully emptied
  • Needing to go again soon after urinating

These symptoms can range from mildly annoying to very disruptive. If they are affecting your sleep, work, or daily activities in Grand Rapids, it’s time to talk with a doctor.

Urinary Symptoms That Need Prompt Medical Attention

See a doctor in Grand Rapids or visit a local urgent care or emergency department (such as Corewell Health/Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health – University of Michigan Health) right away if you experience:

  • Being unable to urinate at all (acute urinary retention)
  • Severe or continuous urinary incontinence (you cannot hold your urine)
  • Painful urination (burning or sharp pain)
  • Any blood in the urine (even once)
  • Any unusual discharge from the penis

These can be signs of infection, blockage, or other serious conditions that need urgent care.

Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. In Grand Rapids, this can affect men of all ages, including younger men.

Causes of prostatitis

  • Bacterial prostatitis:

    • Caused by a bacterial infection
    • Can be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (long-lasting)
    • Requires treatment with antibiotics

  • Non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome):

    • More common
    • Exact cause often unclear
    • May be related to muscle tension, nerve pain, or inflammation

Symptoms of prostatitis

Consult a doctor promptly if you have:

  • Urgent and frequent urination
  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain in the groin, lower abdomen, or between the scrotum and anus
  • Fever, chills, feeling generally unwell (especially with sudden symptoms)

Treatment

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis:

    • Needs urgent medical care
    • Treatment with antibiotics is essential
    • Hospital admission is often necessary, especially if you are very unwell or cannot urinate
    • Antibiotics may be needed for several weeks

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis:

    • Long course of targeted antibiotics
    • Sometimes combined with other medications and lifestyle changes

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in Older Men

What is BPH?

BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that becomes more common with age. In the Grand Rapids area, many men in their 50s, 60s, and 70s experience BPH symptoms.

Because the urethra passes through the prostate, an enlarged gland can:

  • Narrow the urethra
  • Restrict urine flow
  • Make it harder to start or maintain a steady stream

Symptoms of BPH

  • Trouble starting urination
  • Weak or interrupted urine stream
  • Straining to urinate
  • Feeling the bladder does not empty completely
  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Sudden urges to urinate

Acute urinary retention

If the prostate blocks the urethra completely, you may suddenly be unable to urinate. This is called acute urinary retention and is a medical emergency. A catheter is needed to drain the bladder.

It is rare for this to cause permanent kidney damage if treated promptly.

Other Causes of Urinary Symptoms

BPH is just one possible cause. Other factors that can affect urination include:

  • Changes in the muscular wall of the bladder
    • Bladder spasms (overactive bladder)
    • Weak bladder muscles, making it hard to empty completely
  • Nerve problems (for example, from diabetes or spinal issues)
  • Medications (such as some cold medicines or antidepressants)
  • Lifestyle factors (high caffeine or alcohol intake, especially common during long Michigan winters)

Because there are many possible causes, it’s important not to self-diagnose. If you are troubled by urination problems at any age, see a doctor in Grand Rapids.

How Urinary and Prostate Problems Are Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If your primary care doctor or urologist in Grand Rapids (for example, at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health) thinks your symptoms need further evaluation, they may recommend:

Medical history and physical exam

  • Review of:
    • Other health conditions (such as obesity, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, depression, erectile dysfunction)
    • Medications you take
    • Lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, caffeine and alcohol use)
  • Digital rectal exam (DRE):
    • The doctor gently feels the prostate through the rectum to assess its size, shape, and texture

Tests

  • Urine test:
    • Checks for infection, blood, or other abnormalities
  • Blood tests:
    • May include kidney function tests and PSA (prostate-specific antigen), depending on your situation
  • Ultrasound:
    • Checks if the bladder empties completely
    • Looks at the kidneys and sometimes the prostate
  • Flow-rate test (uroflowmetry):
    • Measures how fast you pass urine
  • Urodynamic studies (urodynamics):
    • Series of tests that assess how well the bladder and urethra are working
    • Used in selected cases when diagnosis is unclear or before certain treatments

Self-Help Strategies for Mild Urinary Symptoms

If your symptoms are mild and not very bothersome, your Grand Rapids doctor may recommend lifestyle changes first.

Fluid and diet changes

  • Limit:
    • Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
    • Caffeinated soft drinks
    • Alcohol
  • This is especially important in the evening and before bedtime to reduce night-time urination
  • Reduce processed foods and refined carbohydrates
  • Maintain a healthy weight, which is especially important in Michigan where obesity and diabetes are common

Bladder and pelvic floor training

  • Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises):
    • Can help improve urinary control and reduce leakage
  • Bladder retraining:
    • Gradually increasing the time between bathroom trips
    • Helps the bladder hold urine longer and reduces urgency

Physical activity

  • Increase regular physical activity, even during cold Grand Rapids winters
  • Indoor options like walking at local malls, using home exercise equipment, or joining a gym can help
  • Regular exercise supports overall urinary and prostate health

Always discuss these strategies with your healthcare provider to make sure they are right for you.

Medical Treatment Options in Grand Rapids

If lifestyle changes are not enough, or your symptoms are more severe, your doctor or urologist may recommend medications or procedures.

Medications

Your doctor may suggest one or more of the following:

  • Alpha-blockers:
    • Relax the muscles of the prostate and urethra
    • Improve urine flow and reduce symptoms
  • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors:
    • Shrink the prostate over time by blocking certain male hormones
    • Helpful when the prostate is significantly enlarged
  • Bladder relaxant medications (antimuscarinics or beta-3 agonists):
    • Reduce unwanted bladder contractions
    • Help with urgency and frequency
  • Antibiotics:
    • For bacterial prostatitis, often needed for several weeks because the infection can be hard to clear

Saw palmetto and herbal remedies

  • Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is an over-the-counter supplement sometimes used for prostate symptoms
  • Some men feel it helps, especially for frequent night-time urination
  • However, recent reviews of medical studies show no clear benefit compared with no treatment in men with BPH
  • Always talk to your doctor before using supplements, as they can interact with other medications

Procedures and Surgical Options

If medications are not effective or symptoms are severe, several procedures are available in urology centers in Grand Rapids.

Minimally invasive procedures

  • Laser resection of the prostate

    • GreenLight laser (PVP)
    • Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)
    • Removes or vaporizes excess prostate tissue to improve urine flow

  • UroLift® System

    • For men whose medications have not worked, but whose prostates are not extremely large
    • Staples (implants) are placed through the urethra to pull prostate tissue away from the urethra
    • Helps open the channel without removing tissue
    • Has minimal side effects and usually preserves ejaculation and erectile function

  • Water or steam-based therapies

    • Aqua-ablation: removal of prostate tissue using high-speed water jets
    • Rezum treatment: uses steam (water vapor) to shrink prostate tissue

Surgical options

For very large prostates or more complex cases, more traditional surgeries may be recommended:

  • Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP):
    • Common surgical treatment for BPH
    • Prostate tissue is removed through the urethra
  • Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP):
    • Small cuts are made in the prostate to widen the urethra
  • Open prostatectomy:
    • For very large glands
    • Prostate tissue is removed through an incision in the lower abdomen

Your urologist in Grand Rapids will explain the benefits, risks, and recovery expectations of each option.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

You should see a doctor if you notice:

  • Needing to urinate frequently during the night
  • Urinating more often during the day
  • Difficulty starting your urine stream
  • Weak flow or dribbling after you finish
  • Feeling that your bladder does not empty completely
  • Any pain, burning, blood in the urine, or discharge

Do not ignore these symptoms or assume they are just “normal aging.” Early evaluation can prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you live in Grand Rapids or Kent County and are concerned about prostate or urinary problems, you can:

  • See your primary care doctor or family physician
  • Ask for a referral to a urologist (prostate and urinary specialist) at:
    • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics
  • Contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for information on men’s health programs and screenings

(Any phone triage numbers listed here are examples; use the contact numbers provided by your own clinic or health system.)

Key Points for Men in Grand Rapids

  • The prostate undergoes two main growth spurts – during puberty and starting again in the 30s.
  • An enlarged prostate does not always cause urinary problems.
  • Troublesome urinary symptoms are rarely due to prostate cancer, but still need evaluation.
  • The most common symptom of prostate problems is difficulty emptying your bladder.
  • Urinary symptoms can often be successfully treated with lifestyle changes, medications, or procedures available at Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics.

If you are experiencing urinary changes, don’t wait. Talk with a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids to find out what is causing your symptoms and what treatments are available to help.