What condition can lead to difficulty urinating in men?

Difficulty urinating in men can often be attributed to an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As men age, the prostate gland can grow larger and press against the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. When the urethra is compressed, it can obstruct urine flow, leading to symptoms such as a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, and a frequent need to urinate, especially at night.

While other conditions listed can potentially cause urinary issues, the enlarged prostate is particularly common among older men and is a direct anatomical cause of urinary obstruction. In contrast, a urinary tract infection (UTI) may lead to discomfort or urgent need to urinate but does not typically cause the same kind of urinary flow obstruction. Kidney stones can cause severe pain and possibly lead to urinary blockage but are less common as a primary cause of difficulty urinating compared to BPH. Diabetes can lead to changes in urinary patterns due to increased blood sugar impacting fluid balance, but it does not typically result in direct mechanical obstruction of urine flow.