Talking to Your Doctor About Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD
En Español (Spanish Version)
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Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening
Reducing Your Risk
Talking to Your Doctor
Living With BPH
Resource Guide

Past health and personal choice have an impact on treatment plan. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and/or experience with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Open communication with the doctor will help you take an active role in your care.

General Tips for Gathering Information

Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to talk to your doctor:

  • Bring someone with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask.
  • Write your questions ahead of time, so you don't forget them.
  • Write down the answers you get. Make sure you understand what you are hearing. Ask for the doctor to explain it again, if necessary.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions or ask where you can find more information about what you are discussing. You have a right to know.

Specific Questions to Ask Your Doctor

About Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

  • Are any medicines I am taking dangerous for my stage of this disease?
  • Do you see any signs of prostate cancer?
  • How do you make the diagnosis?

About Treatment Options

  • What symptoms suggest it is time for treatment?
  • What are my treatment choices?
  • What are the side effects and benefits of each of these choices?
  • Am I at risk for these or other side effects?
  • How can I reduce my risk and/or manage these side effects?
  • Are there any alternative or complementary therapies for BPH that may be right for me?
REFERENCES:

American Urological Association (AUA) Practice Guidelines Committee. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/guidelines/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(2010-reviewed-and-validity-confirmed-2014). Accessed September 21, 2020.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph. Accessed September 21, 2020.

Pearson R, Williams PM. Common questions about the diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):769-774.

Tips for talking to your doctor. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/tips-for-talking-to-your-doctor. Accessed September 21, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD  Last Updated: 11/4/2020