Lifestyle and home remedies

To help control the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, try to:

• Limit beverages in the evening. Don't drink anything for an hour or two before bedtime to avoid middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol. They can increase urine production, irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.
• Limit decongestants or antihistamines. These drugs tighten the band of muscles around the urethra that control urine flow, making it harder to urinate.
• Go when you first feel the urge. Waiting too long might overstretch the bladder muscle and cause damage.
• Schedule bathroom visits. Try to urinate at regular times — such as every four to six hours during the day — to "retrain" the bladder. This can be especially useful if you have severe frequency and urgency.
• Follow a healthy diet. Obesity is associated with enlarged prostate.
• Stay active. Inactivity contributes to urine retention. Even a small amount of exercise can help reduce urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
• Urinate — and then urinate again a few moments later. This practice is known as double voiding.
• Keep warm. Colder temperatures can cause urine retention and increase the urgency to urinate.