Interactive Tool: How Bad Are Your Urinary Symptoms From Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH can be a bother, but it is usually not a serious health problem. If you are concerned about your symptoms, talk to your doctor about your options. They may include:

• Small changes to your lifestyle and urination habits, plus regular checkups to make sure that the problem is not changing or getting worse.
• Medicines to help reduce your symptoms.
• Surgery to help correct the problem and reduce your symptoms.

The main thing that helps you decide if and how to treat your symptoms is how much the symptoms bother you, not what your score is. To learn more, see these topics:

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Enlarged Prostate: Should I Take Medicine?
• Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery?

Source: Roehrborn CG, et al. (2003, updated 2006). Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Available online: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph.