An enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is very common as men get older. About half of men in their 50s and most men over 80 have some enlargement. It isn’t cancer and doesn’t raise your risk of prostate cancer, but it can make peeing slower, more frequent and more annoying.

Common symptoms

• A weak or slow urine stream
• Trouble starting to pee, or stopping and starting
• Needing to pee often, especially at night
• A sudden, urgent need to pee
• Feeling that your bladder hasn’t fully emptied
• Dribbling at the end

These symptoms can also be caused by other problems, such as a urine infection, diabetes or, less often, prostate cancer, so it’s worth seeing a doctor to find out.

Self-care that helps

• Cut down on drinks in the evening, especially in the 2 hours before bed.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol, which make you pee more and can irritate the bladder.
• Double voiding: after peeing, wait a few seconds and try again.
• Avoid constipation, which puts pressure on the bladder. See constipation relief.
• Check your medicines. Some cold and allergy medicines with decongestants or older antihistamines can make it harder to pee. Ask a pharmacist.
• Stay active and keep a healthy weight.

Medical treatments

If symptoms bother you, a doctor may suggest:

• Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin, which relax the prostate and bladder neck and often help within days
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride or dutasteride, which slowly shrink the prostate over 6 to 12 months
• Combination treatment or tadalafil for some men
• Procedures such as TURP, laser treatment or newer minimally invasive options, for more severe symptoms

These are prescription treatments, so they need a doctor’s assessment.

What about herbal products?

Saw palmetto is the best-studied herbal option, but large, well-designed trials found it worked no better than a placebo for urinary symptoms. Ayurvedic formulas such as Himalaya Himplasia are traditionally used to support prostate and urinary health, but evidence in people is limited. If you try one, see a doctor first to rule out other causes, and don’t use it instead of treatment your doctor recommends.

See a doctor urgently if

• You can’t pee at all (urinary retention): this is an emergency
• You see blood in your urine
• You have pain or burning when peeing, fever, or pain in your lower back or side
• Your symptoms get worse quickly

Frequently asked questions

Can an enlarged prostate go back to normal?

The prostate doesn’t usually shrink on its own, but symptoms often stay mild for years, and medicines like finasteride can shrink it over time.

Is an enlarged prostate the same as prostate cancer?

No. BPH is non-cancerous and doesn’t lead to cancer. But the symptoms can overlap, so a doctor’s check is important.

At what age should men get their prostate checked?

Many US guidelines suggest discussing prostate cancer screening with your doctor from age 50, or earlier (around 40 to 45) if you’re Black or have a close relative with prostate cancer.

More in our Everyday Health guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

There’s no pill or drink that “boosts” a healthy immune system beyond normal. What you can do is give it what it needs to work well. The good news is that the habits with the strongest evidence are free.

What actually supports your immune system

1. Sleep 7 to 9 hours

People who sleep less than 6 hours a night are more likely to catch a cold when exposed to the virus. Regular sleep is one of the most effective things you can do.

2. Keep your vaccines up to date

Vaccines train your immune system to recognise specific infections. In the US, adults are advised to get a yearly flu vaccine and stay up to date with COVID-19 and other recommended vaccines.

3. Eat a varied diet

• Plenty of fruit and vegetables for vitamin C, vitamin A and fibre
• Protein at each meal (beans, fish, eggs, dairy, meat)
• Zinc from meat, shellfish, beans, nuts and whole grains
• Fermented foods like yogurt may support healthy gut bacteria, which play a role in immunity

4. Move every day

Regular moderate exercise, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking most days, is linked to fewer colds. Very intense training without rest can have the opposite effect.

5. Manage stress

Long-term stress raises cortisol, which can dampen immune responses. Sleep, exercise, time outdoors and talking to people all help.

6. Don’t smoke, and keep alcohol low

Smoking damages the lining of the airways, and heavy drinking weakens immune defences.

7. Wash your hands

Washing with soap for 20 seconds, especially before eating and after being in public places, cuts the spread of colds and stomach bugs.

Do supplements help?

• Vitamin C: taking it daily may shorten colds slightly, but doesn’t prevent them for most people. See vitamin C for colds.
• Vitamin D: may help people who are low in it. Ask your doctor about a blood test, especially in winter.
• Zinc lozenges: started within 24 hours of cold symptoms may shorten a cold. They can cause a bad taste and nausea.
• Herbal products: Ayurvedic herbs such as guduchi (giloy) and formulas like Himalaya Septilin and Himalaya Guduchi are traditionally used to support the body’s defences. Evidence in people is limited. Giloy has been linked to rare cases of liver injury, especially in people with autoimmune conditions, so check with a doctor first if you have liver disease, an autoimmune condition, diabetes or take other medicines.

Supplements can’t make up for poor sleep or diet, and more isn’t better: very high doses of some vitamins and minerals can cause harm.

When to see a doctor

• You get infections very often, or they take a long time to clear
• You have a fever that lasts more than 3 days, or trouble breathing
• You lose weight without trying, or have night sweats
• You have a condition or take a medicine that weakens immunity

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to boost your immune system?

There’s no quick fix. Good sleep, a varied diet, regular activity and up-to-date vaccines are what make the biggest difference.

Does giloy boost immunity?

Giloy is traditionally used for immunity in Ayurveda, but evidence in people is limited, and rare liver problems have been reported. Talk to a doctor before using it, especially if you have a health condition.

Which vitamins help the immune system?

Vitamins C, D and A and the mineral zinc all play a role. Most people get enough from a varied diet; supplements mainly help people who are low.

More in our Everyday Health guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.