Help yourself

Your car and your home need regular maintenance. So do you.

Along with medication, some simple lifestyle changes may help you feel better. Always consult a physician before making any changes to your lifestyle. Here are a few suggestions:

Urinate when you first get the urge to do so8
Urinate whenever you have the chance, even if you don't feel the need to at that moment8
Avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially after dinner8
Try to drink smaller amounts throughout the day, instead of drinking large amounts at one time8
Be aware that some over-the-counter cold and sinus medications containing decongestants or antihistamines may increase BPH symptoms2
Stay warm during winter - cold weather can worsen BPH symptoms2
Exercise regularly. Be sure to speak with your doctor before starting any kind of new exercise routine8
Reduce stress2

Learn about treatment options for BPH

References

Fenter TC, Naslund MJ, Shah MB, et al. The cost of treating the 10 most prevalent diseases in men 50 years of age or older. Am J Manag Care. 2006;12(4 suppl):S90-S98
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate enlargement: benign prostatic hyperplasia. NIH Publication No. 07-3012. June 2006.
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.
Moriyama N, Nasu K, Takeuchi T, et al. Quantification and distribution of a1-adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs in human vas deferens: comparison with those of epididymal and pelvic portions. Br J Pharmacol. 1997;122:1009-1014.
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.

Take the questionnaire >