Introduction

With age, many men will experience urological problems caused by an enlarged prostate. Though symptoms may be confused with those of prostate cancer, 75 percent of the cases are not malignant. The Prostate Institute encourages men over 40 years of age to have an annual prostate exam to monitor prostate health and detect possible problems, including a common condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Half of all men over the age of 50 show symptoms of BPH-- or enlarged prostate--and this number increases to nearly 90 percent for men in their 70s and early 80s, according to the American Urological Association. The incidence rate of BPH is nearly five times that of prostate cancer. BPH Can Cramp Your Style BPH is not life threatening but its symptoms can be lifestyle limiting. Fortunately, there are exciting new treatment options that can help you reclaim your life from the symptoms of BPH. Some symptoms associated with BPH include: Frequent or sudden need to urinate Weak, variable, or dribbling stream Need to strain or push bladder to urinate Difficulty beginning urination Feeling that your bladder never completely empties Pain or burning during urination If you are experiencing urinary discomfort, it is important to contact your physician to evaluate your symptoms. If left untreated, BPH can lead to other serious medical conditions including urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence. When BPH is diagnosed and treated early, there is a lower risk of developing such complications.

Diagnosing BPH

The American Urological Association (AUA) has adopted a symptom index to assist physicians in diagnosing the severity of BPH. Your physician will perform a series of tests to diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan. The most common tests include: Rectal Exam: The doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum in order to determine the size and condition of the prostate. Ultrasound: In order to rule out the possibility of cancer, your doctor may recommend a rectal ultrasound. A probe is inserted into the rectum which creates sound waves and forms an image of the prostate on a display screen. Urine Flow Study: The patient is asked to urinate into a device which measures urine flow rates. A slow flow may suggest BPH. Cystoscopy: The doctor inserts a small tube through the opening of the penis which allows the doctor to view the urethra and bladder and evaluate any obstruction. top

AUA Symptom Score Index

Fill out the form below to evaluate your BPH symptoms: Symptoms over the past month Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always Score Sensation of not emptying the bladder completely after urinating 0 1 2 3 4 5 Had to urinate within two hours of a previous urination 0 1 2 3 4 5 Needed to stop and start again several times while urinating 0 1 2 3 4 5 Found it difficult to postpone urination 0 1 2 3 4 5 Had a weak urinary stream 0 1 2 3 4 5 Needed to strain to urinate 0 1 2 3 4 5 Number of times needed to urinate during bedtime at night 0 1 2 3 4 5 Your AUA Symptom Score is:   0 - 7 = mild symptoms 8 - 19 = moderate 20 - 35 = severe If your score is 9 or higher, you may want to discuss treatment options with your urologist. top

Links

Information Sites The Complete Urology & Andrology Infobase National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Prostatitis Home Page urologychannel.com - BPH WebMD - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Organiztions American Foundation for Urologic Disease American Prostate Society American Urological Association British Association of Urological Surgeons Canadian Urological Association Journals Contemporary Urology Digital Urology Journal European Urology World Journal of Urology top