Treatment Options

Watchful waiting

This option is recommended for men who have minimal to mild symptoms that are not particularly bothersome, and after evaluation it has been determined that the bladder has not been compromised or damaged. Watchful waiting means just that; you will be examined most likely every six months to make certain you are not developing complications from BPH. Certainly this is the least invasive treatment and avoids the risks, costs, and side effects of medical or surgical treatment.

Treatment of BPH

Men should be treated for BPH when the symptoms become bothersome. The American Urologic Association has created a symptom score index that totals from 0 to 35. (David can you insert a link to the test on the website here?) Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Scores less than seven are considered mild and generally do not warrant treatment unless evaluation indicates more bladder obstruction and damage than the patient may admit. It is common for many men to adjust their lifestyle as they develop symptoms such as restricting the amount of fluids they drink in the evening so they will not have to get up to urinate as often after going to bed. And many men just consider these symptoms to be a part of the aging process they must deal with. In reality these men should be evaluated; they may have a much more severe problem than they think.