Management of BPH and LUTS

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in the general population and are a crucial component in the evaluation of male patients in the primary care setting. The etiology and pathophysiology can be quite complex. Initial treatment of BPH/LUTS has shifted from primary surgical therapy to medical treatment with the advent of many novel therapeutics. With the proper background knowledge, primary care providers can be actively involved in the management of patients with BPH/LUTS. After consideration of the differential diagnosis, primary care providers can initiate treatment for patients and continue to monitor patients for improvement. There are useful tools that providers can use to objectively measure the degree of symptoms and whether patients are responding to treatment. When medical management fails, urologists can provide advanced management and surgical intervention. Through the use of many new and innovative technologies, urologists are able provide treatment for patients in a minimally invasive fashion.