What Is Normal PSA By Age? Topic Guide

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH) As the prostate gland grows, it may press on the urethra and cause difficulty with urination. Symptoms and signs of an enlarged prostate include blood in the urine, the inability to urinate, frequent urination, and a slow flow or dribbling urine.Medications and surgery are available if an enlarged prostate is causing problems. A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches age 40 years or middle age.

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms. Screening includes a digital rectal examination, PSA, and urinalysis. Treatment depends upon age, the patient's medical condition, and whether the tumor has metastasized. Risk factors for prostate cancer include advanced age, race, family history, infection with STDs, high-fat diet, and chemical exposure.

Prostate infections can be either acute prostatitis and chronic prostatitis. Chronic prostate infections are caused by E. coli and other bacteria. Symptoms of a prostate infection include pain with urination or ejaculation, increased urinary frequency, urgency to pass urine, and pain in the genital area. Treatment for prostate infections or prostatitis may include antibiotics.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test measures levels of a protein that may be elevated when a man has prostate cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and American Urologic Association (AUA) have different recommendations regarding PSA screening depending on the age, health status, family history, and risk factors of a man. The change in PSA levels over time may be more useful for cancer screening than any one PSA value.