What are my treatment options?

More options than ever. Discuss with your doctor to decide what’s best for you.

Today, you have many treatment options available for BPH. Remember, you and your doctor, together, help make decisions about when and how to treat BPH. Make sure you take an active role in your BPH treatment plan.

The most important thing for you to consider when deciding on a treatment plan with your doctor is how your BPH symptoms affect your daily life and how much they bother you.4 Are they not really a problem? Then, maybe you and your doctor might just choose to watch and wait. Or are symptoms interfering with your work life, your leisure activities, or your sex life? Then maybe you should consider your treatment options, including medications and minimally invasive procedures. If you have complicating factors like an inability to urinate, recurrent urinary tract infections, or kidney damage, your doctor may recommend surgery. Remember that severe BPH symptoms that are left untreated can lead to more serious complications such as bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence.

Whatever the situation, good healthcare depends on building a strong partnership with your physician. You should feel free to speak honestly and directly, ask any questions you have, and play an active role in decision-making.

What kinds of medication are available for BPH?
How to start the conversation with your doctor
For partners who care
Learn about a prescription treatment option for BPH

References

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Shvartzman P, Borkan JM, Stoliar L, et al. Second-hand prostatism: effects of prostatic symptoms on spouses’ quality of life, daily routines and family relationships. Family Pract. 2001;18:610-613.
American Urological Association. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (2003). Chapter 1: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. J Urol. 2003;170:530-547
Nickel JC. Comparison of clinical trials with finasteride and dutasteride. Rev Urol. 2004;6 Suppl 9:S31-9
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A Patient’s Guide. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/patient-guides/bph_guide_2003.pdf. Accessed February 4, 2009.
Brawer MK. A multicenter study on the efficacy and safety of interstitial laser coagulation versus α-blockade in subjects with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: preliminary results. Rev Urol. 2005;7(suppl 9):S29-S33.
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia from NIH: Enlarged Prostate. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000381.htm. Accessed March 5, 2009.
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Kuritzky L. A primary care physician’s perspective on benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(suppl 5):S42-S48.
Wolters R, et al: Lower urinary tract symptoms: social influence is more important than symptoms in seeking medical care. BJU Int. 2002;90:655–661.
Rosen RC, Giuliano F, Cason CC. Sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Eur Urol 2005;47:824–837.
Ponholzer A, Madersbacher S. Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction; Links for diagnosis, management and treatment. Int J Impot Res. 2007;19:544-550.
National Institute on Aging: Talking With Your Doctor. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/TalkingWithYourDoctor/. Accessed March 5, 2009.
de Mey C, Michel MC, McEwen J, Moreland T. A double-blind comparison of terazosin and tamsulosin on their differential effects on ambulatory blood pressure and nocturnal orthostatic stress testing. Eur Urol. 1998;33(5):481-8.
http://www.dictionary.com
Atlas of Human Anatomy, Frank H. Netter, MD, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Summit, NJ, 1989.

Talking to your doctor

It may help you to fill out the American Urological Association BPH Symptom Score Questionnaire.

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