Dear Dr. Hibberd: I am a 35-year-old man and until recently I only got up once at night to urinate. But now it is at least three times. I don’t seem to have any other symptoms. Is this something to be worried about?

Answer:
Frequent urination may occur from drinking water or fluids before retiring for bed. It also may be reflecting an underlying medical disorder of electrolytes or blood glucose that should not be ignored. As a young man at 35 years of age, any regular pattern of awakening to urinate after going to bed (called 'nocturia") is not expected and should be brought to your doctor's attention for evaluation. If you check out with negative testing, it is useful to know that prostate disorders at your age more commonly relate to subtle prostate inflammation or infections rather than glandular hypertrophy (BPH is seen more commonly in older men. So see your doctor for a blood and urine check, and a digital rectal examination. You can expect to be placed on antibiotic therapy appropriate prostate infection pending results.
Delays or inappropriate use or selection of incorrect antibiotics in treating prostate infections can lead to an antibiotic resistant form of prostate inflammation called chronic prostatitis, which is much more difficult to treat to cure. So if symptoms persist, ask for a referral to a specialist.