A new public awareness campaign is targeting men over the age of 50 who need to take regular toilet trips during the night.

Having to go to the toilet more than once a night is an early symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that is caused by an enlarged prostate. While this is a benign and non-life threatening condition, if left untreated, the prostate can continue to grow, leading to a worsening of symptoms.

An estimated one-third of Irish men in their 60s can expect to experience urinary symptoms related to BPH, which can have an impact on normal daily activities and quality of life.

These can include difficulty in starting the flow of urine even if you feel like your bladder is full, needing many attempts to empty the bladder because of a weak or interrupted flow of urine, and dribbling of urine after you have urinated.

"Enlarged prostates can affect bladder control and this can lead to anxiety, embarrassment and sleep deprivation for those affected. Despite experiencing symptoms, men typically wait for lengthy time periods before speaking to their doctor," explained consultant urologist, Mr Richard Power

He said that there is a need to raise awareness about BPH, ‘and the fact that it is non life-threatening and treatable'.

"It's important that men suffering from these symptoms consult their doctor about the issue so that effective solutions can be explored and ultimately improve their quality of life," Mr Power said.

The public awareness campaign was launched by comedian, Brendan Grace, to coincide with Men's Health Awareness Week, which runs from June 15-22. The campaign will include radio and online advertisements.

A website on BPH has also been developed, which among other things, provides a checklist for men to see if their symptoms suggest they have the condition. The site can be viewed here