If you’ve never experienced either condition, you may have a hard time knowing if it’s hemorrhoids or an enlarged prostate. Hemorrhoids are actually enlarged veins in the lower rectum and anus and tend to go away after a few days. There are two types of hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids occur outside the anal opening and internal hemorrhoids are inside the lower part of the rectum and anus.
It is possible to have both at the same time. Although hemorrhoids go away after a few days, the symptom can be quite disturbing and can cause bleeding and excruciating pain. More than 75% of people over the age of 30 will experience hemorrhoids. However, men tend to develop hemorrhoids that require medical treatment. Hemorrhoids are usually discovered as they can be felt when lumps or bleeding are noticed. An enlarged prostate occurs in men and tends to occur after the age of 40. The prostate actually surrounds the urethra which carries urine from the bladder to the penis. An enlarged prostate tends to make urination difficult or painful.
Some common symptoms include repeated urinary tract infections, a tender bladder, acute urinary retention, dribbling of urine, leakage of urine, and even kidney damage. However, some men also have no symptoms with an enlarged prostate, so the two conditions, hemorrhoids and an enlarged prostate, are quite different in that they affect a different part of your body. Hemorrhoids can happen to anyone and occur inside and outside the lower rectum and anus.
An enlarged prostate affects the urethra and bladder and can make it very difficult to urinate. While hemorrhoids can go away, an enlarged prostate does not and will need treatment. If for any reason you think you are experiencing wilt you should make an appointment with your doctor. If left unchecked, they can develop into serious medical problems.
