What is BPH?

Diagnosis & Treatment

A doctor may do a number of things to find the cause of urinary problems, including: taking a medical history and description of symptoms; a physical examination; blood or urine tests; and sometimes ultrasound or digital rectal exam.

A wide variety of treatment options are available for BPH, including:

• Watchful waiting if symptoms aren’t too bothersome and no complications arise.
• Behavioral modification, such as drinking fewer liquids before bed, drinking less caffeine and alcohol, or avoiding over-the-counter medications such as decongestants or antihistamines that can make prostate problems worse.
• Medication may help to minimize symptoms or growth of the prostate when symptoms become more advanced. 
• Minimally invasive therapies are available when medication alone does not relieve symptoms of BPH, or when patients prefer not to take pills daily or experience medication-related side effects. 
• Surgery is sometimes necessary for larger prostates or medically complicated patients.

Medication is the most common first-line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms of prostate enlargement; however, minimally invasive or surgical therapy might be recommended if symptoms are moderate to severe, medication doesn’t relieve the symptoms, or the patient would like to stop the medication.