Stop coping with BPH and start living.
The next thing to do once you’ve been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is to decide the best treatment to pursue. Since there’s a lot of treatment procedures for BPH, you might probably be unsure, as regard discerning the right answer to the question: “Which treatment should I pursue?”
The answer to this question can be quite tricky because there are several different treatments available. If you’re feeling a bit confused about your diagnosis and are unsure what to do, you’re not alone! Here are a few steps to take to start working through your options and take control.
- Empower yourself with information
Understanding your treatment options is key and will help you determine the best option for your unique situation. Conducting your own independent research and talking to other men who have been on this journey can be a good first step in learning what to prepare for and what to expect.
- Talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor and keep talking until you’re comfortable with what you hear — together you and your doctor should be satisfied with your treatment plan.
- Ask Questions
Come to your appointment with a prepared list of questions for your doctor to answer. CLICK HERE for an example of the questions you should consider asking.
It’s time to reclaim your life! Learn as much as you can about BPH treatment options to choose the best one for you and take control of your life.
Questions for your Doctor
Prepare questions for your doctor.
Questions to get the conversation started.
If you decide to make an appointment with your urologist to discuss whether you might be a candidate for PAE, consider discussing the questions provided below. The questions will help you to better understand your condition and the treatment options available to you.
Questions about BPH:
- What is the prostate gland?
- What causes BPH?
- Is BPH common?
- Will symptoms improve or get worse over time?
- What’s the difference between BPH and prostate cancer? Does having BPH put me more at risk for prostate cancer?
- Can lifestyle factors such as food, exercise, and stress play a role in BPH?
Questions about BPH treatments:
- How do you typically treat BPH? What are the risks and benefits of each of these treatments?
- What are surgical and less invasive options for treating BPH? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these treatments?
- If I don’t want surgery, what alternatives are available?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages to watching and waiting?
- What medications are available to treat BPH and am I a candidate for medical therapy? Why or why not?
- What are the benefits and risks of medical therapy? Side effects?
- Have all the necessary diagnostic tests1 been performed? Why or why not?
- Digital rectal exam (DRE)?
- Urine test (urinalysis)?
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test?
- Post-void residual (PVR) test?
- Uroflowmetry to measure how fast urine flows?
- Cytoscopy to look inside the urethra or bladder?
- Urodynamic pressure to test the pressure in the bladder when urinating?
- Ultrasound of the prostate?
Questions about more invasive surgical options:
- Do I need to have surgery? Will only part of my prostate be removed? If so, why?
- Is there a particular surgery that would be better for my situation?
- What are the risks associated with surgery?
- What are the risks associated with postponing surgery?
- Will I experience erectile dysfunction (ED) after surgery? Can the symptoms of ED be treated?
- What are the risks and benefits of treatment(s) for ED?
- What are the limitations of surgery?
- Will surgery cure BPH?
Questions for your Interventional Radiologist (IR) about PAE:
- How would you coordinate my care with my urologist?
- How often is the procedure successful in treating BPH?
- Are your patients happy with the procedure?
- How often do complications occur? What are typical complications?
- How will I feel during and after the PAE procedure?
- What is the length of the procedure? What is the normal recovery time?
- How long should I expect to stay in the hospital?
- How long should I expect to be away from work?
- How long before I can resume having sex?
- Will I still be able to get an erection after PAE? Will ejaculation be any different?
- Will my insurance cover PAE?
- What kind of follow-up care is typical and who manages it?
- What typically happens to the prostate after the blood supply is reduced?
- Will my urinary symptoms ever return?
Am I a candidate for PAE?