(NC)—While men are often protective of what's below the belt, it turns out their knowledge of their prostate is not up to par. A recent survey of Canadian men aged 50 and over, supported by the Canadian Urological Association via a grant from GlaxoSmithKline, found that 70 per cent had never heard of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), despite the fact that half of men over 50 will have to deal with its frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms.

BPH is a condition where the prostate has become enlarged causing lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequent urination, inability to empty the bladder completely, or a weak urine stream.

So, what do men need to know about their prostate health? Urologist, Dr. Jeffrey Spodek, gives some advice:

Q: At what age should men start going to their doctor for an annual prostate exam?

A: We know that half of men over age 50 develop an enlarged prostate, so the sooner BPH is diagnosed, the faster treatment can begin to shrink the prostate and significantly reduce symptoms. The survey revealed that a quarter of men over 50 have never discussed prostate health with their doctors. It's important to note that if BPH with lower urinary tract symptoms is left unchecked, it can progress and potentially lead to worsening symptoms, an overall decreased quality of life, and the need for invasive surgery. I recommend men as early as age 40 should have their prostates examined, especially if they are symptomatic.

Q: Having to urinate more frequently is just a fact of aging, there's nothing you can do about it, right?

A: Although prostate size does increase as men age, bothersome symptoms don't have to. Almost half of men surveyed (47 per cent) believed frequent urination is just a sign of aging and don't make the connection that it could be a result of an enlarged prostate. The symptoms of an enlarged prostate can have a serious impact on your quality of life, such as having to deal with regular breaks in sleep at night, constant interruptions during the day and the need to restrict social activities to be near a bathroom. If you notice you're spending more time in the bathroom or that urination is frequent, prolonged, painful, or generally out of the ordinary, speak with your doctor or urologist about lifestyle changes and treatment options for managing symptoms and shrinking the prostate to reduce the incidence of future complications. For more information, visit www.MyBPH.ca.