The gland can cause a variety of problems. One is prostatitis, or the infection or inflammation of the prostate. The symptoms of prostatitis are painful, urgent and frequent urination. The condition is usually treated with intravenous and oral antibiotics and an increase in fluid intake to help flush the urinary tract.

Another problem is when the prostate becomes enlarged, a condition formally known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate enlargement is a fairly common condition. As a man ages, the prostate tends to increase in size due to excessive tissue growth. The prostate normally starts out the size of a walnut, but by the time a man is 40, it may have grown to the size of an apricot. An enlarged prostate has the potential to cause problems because of its location in the body. As it increases in size, the prostate can press the bladder and the urethra, blocking urine flow.

While this can be merely irritating, it becomes cause for more concern if urination becomes difficult or painful. The good news is that, for some men, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate do not worsen and require little or no treatment. When treatment is required for an enlarged prostate, it can range from lifestyle changes to drugs to surgery. Changes to lifestyle may include cutting back on alcohol and coffee, or emptying the bladder completely when urinating.