Do you find yourself waking up three, four, or even five times a night to urinate?
Are you rushing to the toilet during the day, or noticing a weak or hesitant stream?

If so, you’re not alone. These are very common symptoms caused by BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) — or simply, an enlarged prostate. Millions of men worldwide experience this as part of the natural aging process, but the good news is: you don’t have to just put up with it.

At The Prostate Clinic, we see men every day who are surprised to learn how many effective and minimally invasive options now exist to treat urinary symptoms. One of the most common starting points is a medication called tamsulosin.

Tamsulosin (brand name Flomaxtra in Australia) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for men with urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.

It works by relaxing the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck, which helps urine flow more freely.
Importantly, it does not shrink the prostate — instead, it makes it easier for the bladder to empty by reducing resistance in the urinary passage.

Most men start to notice improvement within a few days, sometimes even within hours of the first dose.

Tamsulosin is taken once daily (400 micrograms) at the same time each day.
We usually recommend taking it in the evening, which can help minimise any early side effects such as light-headedness.

It’s a sustained-release tablet, meaning it works steadily throughout the day and night to maintain symptom relief.

Most men tolerate tamsulosin very well, but as with any medication, side effects can occur.
Here are the ones you should know about:

⚠️Light-headedness or dizziness (postural hypotension)
When standing up quickly, you might feel a little dizzy. This happens because tamsulosin relaxes blood vessels as well as the prostate.
Tip: Take your first dose at night and stand up slowly from sitting or lying down.

⚠️Stuffy nose (rhinitis)
A small percentage of men feel mildly congested — like a light head cold.

⚠️Changes with ejaculation
Some men experience what’s called retrograde ejaculation — where semen travels backward into the bladder instead of coming out. It’s not harmful, but you may notice a “dry orgasm.”
While it can feel different, many men find it doesn’t affect sexual pleasure.

⚠️Rare side effects
Occasionally, men may feel more tired, get mild headaches, or have low energy.
A very rare condition called “floppy iris syndrome” can affect men who are having cataract surgery — so if you’re seeing an eye specialist, make sure to tell them if you’re taking tamsulosin.

If you ever experience side effects that bother you, you can simply stop the medication — the effects wear off quickly.

Some men prefer to avoid ongoing medication and instead consider minimally invasive procedures that relieve blockage while preserving sexual function.

At The Prostate Clinic, we often start with a therapeutic trial of tamsulosin to see if it helps. If symptoms improve, it tells us that the prostate is contributing to the problem — which helps guide further management.

If symptoms persist or you’d like a more permanent solution, the next step may be a Cystoscopy — a quick camera test that allows us to see the prostate’s size and shape and recommend tailored treatment options.

For many men, urinary symptoms can creep up slowly over time — but it’s not something you have to live with. Whether it’s medication, a minimally invasive procedure, or lifestyle advice, there are many ways we can help restore normal bladder habits and improve your quality of life.

If you’d like to discuss your urinary symptoms or whether Tamsulosin might be right for you, contact your GP to organise a referral to see a Urologist.