Be vigilant about BPH

Age is the number one risk factor for the development of BPH.¹ However, BPH is often associated with other conditions commonly found in older males, such as hypertension, diabetes or erectile dysfunction.² Asking patients who are currently diagnosed with these other conditions about their urinary habits may be an effective strategy for uncovering BPH sufferers. Patients who complain of lack of sleep may be suffering from nocturia that keeps getting them out of bed.

Not every patient will want to talk about urinary symptoms, so it is often up to the clinician to initiate the dialog and draw information out of them. Many patients may be in denial of the impact that BPH symptoms are having on their quality of life, as well as that of their loved ones, who may also be adversely affected by the lifestyle changes they make to accommodate the patient's urinary symptoms. In fact, it may be the spouse who brings up BPH at the office visit.

FOUR questions to help more men talk about BPH

• Do you have to urinate again within 2 hours of your last urination?
• Do you get up several times a night to urinate?
• Do you find it difficult to hold off urination?
• Do these symptoms ever interrupt your daily activities?

Start Screening for BPH with this tool from the AUA