[Living with enlarged prostate]

An ageing man has been the focus of nursing research only rarely. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the meanings that men aged 65 or over attached to living with enlarged prostate before the transurethral resection of prostate. The data were collected by interviewing seven ageing men, who have had transurethral resection of the prostate. The data were analysed using Giorgi's method, which is based on phenomenology. Living with enlarged prostate has an effect on ageing men's physical, social and emotional well-being. Because of problems with voiding they avoided physical exercise and outdoor activities. They were also fatigued, since they have to go to the toilet many times at nights. It was possible that the voiding need was so sudden and frequent that the men limited their social participation. The symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate had often lasted for a long period. They have also affected on sex life and aroused depression and shame in ageing men.