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Men's Health Month
It’s time to Break the Taboo and speak about urinary problems.
Different symptoms and one common reality:
The frequent and urgent need to urinate, delayed drops, frequent night-time trips to the toilet, loss of libido, urinary incontinence... Urinary problems can take many forms.
They are common, particularly after the age of 50, and can have a significant impact on everyday life and quality of life.
Did you know?
- 1 in 2 men over 50 suffer from urinary problems that may be linked to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (1).
- 25% of men over 50 suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) (2).
- Around 12% of men suffer from Overactive Bladder (OAB) after age 50 (3,4).
- Over 1.5 million men in the world develop prostate cancer every year (4th in incidence), with a total of 400,000 prostate cancer deaths (8th in incidence) (5).
Don’t let urinary problems go unspoken.
They may be associated with conditions such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or Overactive Bladder (OAB). Your doctor can help identify the cause and advise you on the appropriate next steps.
If you experience urinary symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: what Every Man Should Know
As men get older, urinary symptoms can become more common. One of the most frequent causes is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate.
The prostate is a small, chestnut-sized gland located just below the bladder. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, and plays a role in producing seminal fluid.
What happens with BPH?
As men age, the prostate can gradually increase in size. As it enlarges, it can put pressure on the urethra, restricts the flow of urine, making it more difficult for the bladder to empty normally.
As men age, the prostate can gradually increase in size. As it enlarges, it can put pressure on the urethra, restricts the flow of urine, making it more difficult for the bladder to empty normally.
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This process can begin around the age of 40 and becomes increasingly common with age. By age 80, approximately 90% of men have histological evidence of BPH (6)
What are the signs to look out for?
BPH can cause a range of urinary symptoms (7), including:
- Needing to urinate more frequently, during the day or at night
- A sudden or urgent need to urinate
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Dribbling after urination
- Having to strain or “push” to urinate
- Feeling that your bladder has not completely emptied after urinating
- In some cases, erectile or ejaculatory difficulties may also occur
This Men’s Health Month, knowing the signs and understanding BPH is an important step in looking after your health.
It may not always be easy to talk about urinary symptoms. But starting a conversation with someone you trust, or your doctor can be an important first step.
Testimonial from Laurent, 64, who suffers from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Video.
Hear Laurent’s story
Laurent, 64, shares his experience of living with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Like many men, Laurent was concerned when he first started experiencing urinary symptoms.
Talking about these symptoms isn’t always easy, particularly when they begin to affect everyday life, relationships, work or intimacy.
With encouragement from his partner, Laurent decided to speak to his doctor and was diagnosed with BPH.
Having lived with BPH for the past five years, Laurent now encourages other men not to stay silent when they notice urinary symptoms.
Urinary problems can affect you more than your daily routine: they can have an impact on your overall quality of life.
This Men’s Health Month, let’s get men talking about urinary health. Speaking up can be the first step towards getting the right support
Overactive Bladder: Know the Signs
Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a common urological condition characterized by a sudden and difficult-to-control urge to urinate. It may also be associated with frequent urination, waking at night to urinate and, in some cases, urinary leakage.
OAB can affect adults of any age, although it becomes more common as we get older.
Around 12% of adults in Europe are estimated to experience OAB (4)
What happens with OAB?
OAB occurs when the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily, creating a sudden urge to urinate, even when the bladder may not be full.
What are the signs to look out for?
OAB can cause a range of urinary symptoms, including:
- Urgency: a sudden, difficult-to-control need to urinate
- Frequency: needing to urinate more often than usual
- Urge incontinence: involuntary leakage of urine associated with a sudden urge to urinate
- Nocturia: waking during the night to urinate
OAB can affect more than your bladder
OAB symptoms can interfere with daily activities, sleep, work and social life. For some people, the fear of not reaching a toilet in time or experiencing leakage can also lead to embarrassment or anxiety and affect overall quality of life.
Don’t let urinary symptoms hold you back If you are experiencing symptoms of OAB, talk to your doctor.
Support is available, and a healthcare professional can help identify the approach that is right for you.
Know the signs. Start the conversation.
Take care of your urinary health.
Overactive bladder: A silent struggle for many men
Video, 2m52.
Hear from an expert
Dr. Elterman’s advice is simple: if you’re experiencing urinary symptoms, see your doctor and talk about it.
Not sure what’s behind your symptoms?
Because BPH and OAB can share similar symptoms, it may not always be easy to tell what is causing them.
If you notice changes in your urinary habits, talk to your doctor.
Know the signs. Start the conversation. Take care of your urinary health.
References :
- Lacoin F, et al. Perceptions of benign prostatic hyperplasia according to the perspective of patients and general practitioners — the Trophée study. Prog Urol. 2013 ;23 :50-57.
- Le Quotidien du Médecin. Chez l'homme de 50 ans et plus [Internet]. Available from: https://www.lequotidiendumedecin.fr
- Phé V, Game X. Definition, epidemiology and impact of non-neurogenic overactive bladder. Prog Urol. 2020 ;30 :866-872.
- Irwin DE, Kopp ZS, Agatep B, Milsom I, Abrams P. Worldwide prevalence estimates of lower urinary tract symptoms, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence and bladder outlet obstruction. BJU Int. 2011 ;108(7) :1132-1138.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Prostate cancer fact sheet [Internet]. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN). Available from: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/27-prostate-fact-sheet.pdf.
- Lepor H. Pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the aging male population. Rev Urol. 2005;7(Suppl 4): S3-S12. PMID: 16986052.
- National Health Service (NHS). Enlarged prostate – Symptoms [Internet]. Last review 8 April 2025. Available from: Enlarged prostate - NHS.
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