When a man reaches the age of 25 his prostate begins to grow. It’s a natural process called benign hyperplasia or BHP and it’s the most common form of prostate enlargement.

According to Harvard Medical School, BHP is a benign condition that doesn’t lead to prostate cancer but can make life miserable for 50% of sufferers.

The most common symptoms include:

*a hesitant, interrupted weak stream of urine

*an urgency, leaking or dribbling

*a sense of incomplete emptying

*more frequent urination, especially at night

When the symptoms start interfering with daily life, most men seek medical help from their doctors.

“The good news is that treatments are constantly being improved so patients and their physicians now have more medications to choose from,” say Harvard experts. “If one medication doesn’t do the trick, another can be prescribed. And thanks to some refinements, surgical treatments are more effective and have fewer side effects than ever before.”

However, experts say that certain lifestyle changes can help you cope with BPH on your own. A good time to start is when the symptoms are not particularly bothersome and “watchful waiting” is the best way to proceed.

Here are four simple tips to help relieve some of the symptoms of BPH:

1. Reduce stress. Very often men who are nervous or anxious tend to urinate more frequently. Exercise more frequently and practice relaxation exercises.
2. Take time to empty your bladder completely. When you go to the bathroom, don’t rush. That extra couple of seconds will reduce your need for frequent trips to the toilet.
3. Talk to your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking. Some of these may be contributing to the problem. Your doctor may suggest some changes or adjust the dosage. Often just changing the time at which you take your medication can relieve the symptoms and cause fewer urinary problems.
4. Avoid drinking fluids in the evening. This applies especially to caffeinated and alcoholic beverages that can affect the muscle tone of the bladder and stimulate the kidney to produce more urine, leading to frequent nighttime urination.