Problems with the prostate affect many older men. Most often, the symptoms that manifest are as a result of an enlarged prostate. As a result, the most common problem men who have this condition will experience have to do with the urinary tract. There are several causes that lead to an enlarged prostate as documented below.ProstatitisProstatitis is a very common cause of an enlarged prostate. Generally, it is an infection of the prostate that results in inflammation of the organ. This, in turn, causes swelling and can result in difficulty in urinating. Fortunately, prostatitis can be treated if the man affected visits his doctor and takes the antibiotics that are prescribed to him. Once treatment is sought, the symptoms of this condition begin to diminish in a relative fast amount of time. Prognosis is also good for the prostate returning to its normal size.Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaAnother cause of an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition is very common among older men and is essentially believed to be caused by excessive testosterone. It is also the most common cause of an enlarged prostate and is even referred to simply as "enlarged prostate." Symptoms include a lessened flow of urine or difficulty in urinating at all due to the size of the prostate when affected. If it is large enough to stunt urination, it can adversely affect the kidneys. Men who suffer from this condition should see their doctors for treatment as medication can reduce the swelling of the prostate, which in turn allows for normal urination. However, some men may not see an improvement with medication alone and will require surgery.Prostate Cancerprostate cancer is the most serious of all causes of an enlarged prostate. The symptoms are much the same as those in BPH, which can be deceiving. Men with these symptoms should always see their doctors, especially because if they are found to have prostate cancer, it can be treated successfully when detected early. After treatment, urinary symptoms will improve.