Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Urology
Lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia: old problems, new solutions
Recent articles on:
Prostate diseases
Prostate diseases
Recent articles on:
Men's health
Men's health
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Newer medications and minimally invasive treatments are now available in Australia, although the long-term outcomes are as yet unknown. Common questions asked by GPs and patients are answered here.
Key Points
- One in five men over the age of 35 years are bothered by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
- The most common cause of LUTS is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- In a patient with LUTS, there are certain ‘red flag’ clinical features for which early urological referral is recommended.
- There are many options for medical therapy of men with LUTS and the choice of drug should be individualised after a thorough assessment has been conducted.
- Although transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the gold standard for surgical treatment of men with BPH, newer minimally invasive procedures are available with fewer side effects. However, the long-term durabilities of these procedures are still being determined.
Picture credit: © KO Studios
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