The pelvic floor muscles help support bladder control. Learning to contract and relax these muscles correctly may help some men with urinary symptoms.
To identify the muscles, imagine briefly trying to prevent passing gas. The muscles used for that action are part of the pelvic floor.
Once you have identified them:
- Gently contract the muscles for three to five seconds.
- Relax them completely for the same amount of time.
- Repeat several times.
- Gradually increase repetitions as your comfort improves.
Do not repeatedly stop your urine stream to perform these exercises. If you are unsure whether you are using the correct muscles, a healthcare professional or pelvic floor physiotherapist can help.
These exercises do not physically shrink an enlarged prostate, and they may not be appropriate for every urinary condition.
Step 5: Ask Your Doctor About Proven Treatments
If nighttime urination continues, a medical evaluation can help identify the cause.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a urine test, blood tests, an assessment of kidney function, a prostate examination, or other investigations.
Treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia may include:
- Watchful waiting: Monitoring symptoms when they are mild.
- Prescription medication: Certain medicines relax prostate or bladder-neck muscles, while others can gradually reduce prostate size.
- Minimally invasive procedures: Selected procedures can improve urine flow.
- Surgery: Considered when symptoms are severe or complications develop.
The right treatment depends on prostate size, symptom severity, other medical conditions, and individual preferences.
Do not start high-dose vitamins, herbal supplements, or other remedies without checking whether they are suitable for you.
Step 6: Recognize Symptoms That Need Urgent Attention
Seek urgent medical care if you cannot urinate at all, particularly if you have a painful or swollen lower abdomen.
Fever or chills accompanied by urinary symptoms, blood in the urine, or severe pain also require prompt medical assessment.
These symptoms should not be treated with home remedies alone.
Final Thoughts
Nighttime urination is common among older men, but it should not automatically be dismissed as a normal part of aging.
A healthy diet, appropriate fluid timing, regular exercise, and medical assessment can help address the problem. Olive oil may be included in a balanced diet, but it has not been proven to shrink an enlarged prostate in 15 minutes.
If you regularly wake up at night to urinate, identifying the underlying cause is the most reliable way to find an effective treatment and improve your sleep.
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