Should I Drink Less with BPH?

If you have an enlarged prostate (also known as BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia), you may experience symptoms such as frequent, urgent urination and nocturia. (Waking up in the middle of the night to pee, often multiple times.) Of course, we all know that fluid intake can lead to urination. As such, many men wonder, “Should I drink less with BPH?” Here’s what you need to know.

 Should I Drink Less with BPH?

While reducing your fluid intake could temporarily improve some BPH symptoms, you should not reduce your daily fluid intake. Why is that the case? If you drink less each day, you could become dehydrated. And, with dehydration, you increase your risk for both kidney and bladder stones. Plus, dehydration can cause bladder irritation that, in turn, can result in an overactive bladder problem that amplifies your existing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Managing Fluid Intake: A Better Way Forward

Instead of drinking less with BPH, it’s important to maintain your daily fluid intake to prevent hydration. For most men, that will mean drinking about 8 glasses of water each day—or more, if you exercise or are out in the hot sun.

However, while we don’t want you to drink less with BPH, we do want you to drink less at certain times of day. Ideally, you will stop drinking water two hours before you go to bed. (You may also wish to stop eating at that time, since the fluid in your food could contribute to nocturia.) Additionally, you should limit intake of irritating drinks—especially ones with caffeine or alcohol—all throughout your day, as they can worsen symptoms linked to urination.

Lasting Relief for BPH: Moving Beyond Coping Mechanisms

When BPH symptoms are disrupting your daily activities and leaving you worried about when and how much water you can drink, you may wish to explore PAE treatment. Unlike lifestyle adjustments that simply help you cope with the effects of BPH, this minimally invasive procedure provides lasting symptom relief by shrinking the size of your prostate gland. Performed without the need for major incisions or overnight hospital stays, it can help you say stop asking “Should I drink less with BPH?” and start focusing on the rest of your life. If you want to learn more, you can contact the Texas Prostate Institute and request a consultation.