How is BPH diagnosed?

Be prepared. Be ready to talk. You can help speed up the process.

BPH is diagnosed based on symptoms. That's why it's important to tell your doctor if you are having symptoms such as frequent urination, straining to urinate, and weak or interrupted stream. In 8 of 10 cases, the symptoms are due to BPH, but they may also be due to other more serious conditions such as prostate or bladder cancer.4  Your doctor may perform a prostate exam and several tests to rule out these other possible causes of prostate problems.

At the doctor's office…

First, your doctor will want to know about all of your symptoms, how severe they are, and how much they bother you. The doctor will also ask about your health history, including your family history. Then, you will usually have a digital rectal exam or DRE. During a digital rectal exam, the doctor feels the size of your prostate by putting a gloved, lubricated finger inside your rectum.4 A sample of your urine will be taken to check for signs of infection and rule out other causes of your urinary symptoms.12

If you are seeing your primary care physician, he or she may refer you to a urologist for further testing and care. A urologist is a physician who specializes in treating problems of the male urinary tract and reproductive organs.4

Other tests your doctor may order…

  • PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test: This test is given to check for elevated PSA levels and helps rule out prostate cancer as a cause of urinary symptoms.4
  • Urine flow study: You urinate into a special device to measure how quickly your urine is flowing.4
  • Cystoscopy: This procedure allows the doctor to see inside the urethra and bladder to check the location and extent of blockage.4
  • Rectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy: Only if cancer is suspected, the doctor will perform a prostate biopsy by inserting a small probe into the rectum that uses sound waves to create a picture of the prostate. If needed, the image guides a needle so the doctor can remove small samples of prostate tissue for a prostate biopsy. The prostate samples are then evaluated under a microscope for signs of cancer.4

Before you go…

  1. You can help yourself and your doctor by bringing all the right information with you to the first appointment. Here's a simple solution: print out this self-assessment tool, fill it out, bring it with you.
  2. Also, make a complete list of all medications you take, including non-prescription items (for colds, allergies, pain, etc.) and vitamins and supplements. Include the amounts and how often you take them. Bring this with you.11
  3. Consider asking your spouse, partner, or a good friend to come with you. Another person can help to listen, ask questions, and even take notes.
References
  1. Fenter TC, Naslund MJ, Shah MB, et al. The cost of treating the 10 most prevalent diseases in men 50 years of age or older. Am J Manag Care. 2006;12(4 suppl):S90-S98.
  2. RAPAFLO® (silodosin) Capsules full Prescribing Information, November 2009.
  3. Marks LS, Gittelman MC, Hill LA, Volinn W, Hoel G. Rapid efficacy of the highly selective α1A-adrenoceptor antagonist silodosin in men with signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia: pooled results of 2 phase 3 studies. J Urol. 2009;181:2634-2640.
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate enlargement: benign prostatic hyperplasia. NIH Publication No. 07-3012. June 2006.
  5. Bruskewitz RC. Quality of life and sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5:72-80.
  6. Roberts RO, Jacobsen SJ, Rhodes T, et al. Natural history of prostatism: impaired health status in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. J Urol. 1997;157:1711-1717.
  7. http://www.dictionary.com
  8. Atlas of Human Anatomy, Frank H. Netter, MD, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Summit, NJ, 1989.
  9. Data on file, Watson Laboratories, Inc.
  10. Marks LS, Gittelman MC, Hill LA, Volinn W, Hoel G. Silodosin in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a 9-month, open-label extension study. Urology. 2009;74:1318-1322.
  11. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (U.S. Dept Health and Human Services): Quick Tips When Talking With Your Doctor. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/quicktips/doctalk.htm. Accessed July 28, 2010.
  12. American Urological Association. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (2003). Chapter 1: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. J Urol. 2003;170:530-547.
  13. Fagelman E, Lowe FC. Herbal medications in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Urol Clin N Am. 2002;29:23-29, vii.
  14. National Institute on Aging: Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide For Older People. NIH Publication No. 05-3452. August 2005 (Reprinted April 2010). Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/90DF996C-DF5F-4245-B7CA-B2E1B993D8C7/0/TWYD_0521_web.pdf. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  15. Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia from NIH: Enlarged Prostate. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000381.htm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  16. Shvartzman P, Borkan JM, Stoliar L, et al. Second-hand prostatism: effects of prostatic symptoms on spouses’ quality of life, daily routines and family relationships. Family Pract. 2001;18:610-613.
  17. Kuritzky L. A primary care physician’s perspective on benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(suppl 5):S42-S48.
  18. Wolters R, et al: Lower urinary tract symptoms: social influence is more important than symptoms in seeking medical care. BJU Int. 2002;90:655–661.
  19. Rosen RC, Giuliano F, Cason CC. Sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Eur Urol. 2005;47:824–837.
  20. Ponholzer A, Madersbacher S. Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction; links for diagnosis, management and treatment. Int J Impot Res. 2007;19:544-550.
  21. MacDiarmid SA, Hill LA, Volinn W, Hoel G. Lack of pharmacodynamic interaction of silodosin, a highly selective α1a-adrenoceptor antagonist, with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors sildenafil and tadalafil in healthy men. Urology. 2010;75:520-525.
  22. Marks LS. Reply to editorial comment. Urology. 2009;74:1323-1324.
  23. Schwinn DA, Roehrborn CG. α1-Adrenoceptor subtypes and lower urinary tract symptoms. Int J Urol. 2008;15:193-199.
  24. Straus SM, Kors JA, De Bruin ML, et al. Prolonged QTc interval and risk of sudden cardiac death in a population of older adults. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;47:362-367.
  25. Carbone DJ, Hodges S. Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: sexual dysfunction and impact on quality of life. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:299-306.
  26. Nomiya M, Yamaguchi O. A quantitative analysis of mRNA expression of alpha 1 and beta-adrenoceptor subtypes and their functional roles in human normal and obstructed bladders. J Urol. 2003;170(2 Pt 1):649-653.
  27. Murata S, Taniguchi T, Takahashi M, et al. Tissue selectivity of KMD-3213, an α1-adrenoreceptor antagonist, in human prostate and vasculature. J Urol. 2000;164:578-583.
  28. Stafford-Smith M, Bartz R, Wilson K, et al. Alpha-adrenergic mRNA subtype expression in the human nasal turbinate. Can J Anesth. 2007;54:549-555.
  29. Wei JT, Calhoun E, Jacobsen SJ. Urologic Diseases in America Project: benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2008;179(5 Suppl.):S75-S80.
  30. Issa MM, Regan T. Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia—present and future impact. Am J Manag Care. 2007;13:S4-S9.
  31. Berry SJ, Coffey DS, Walsh PC, et al. The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with age. J Urol. 1984;132:474.
  32. Nickel JC. Comparison of clinical trials with finasteride and dutasteride. Rev Urol. 2004;6 Suppl 9:S31-39.
  33. Hernández C, Estivill E, Prieto M, et al. Nocturia in Spanish patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Curr Med Res Opin. 2008;24:1033-1038.

RAPAFLO® is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

RAPAFLO® is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension.

Important Safety Information

RAPAFLO® is available only by prescription and is approved to treat male urinary symptoms due to BPH, also called an enlarged prostate. RAPAFLO® should not be used to treat high blood pressure. Only your doctor can tell if you have BPH, not a more serious condition like prostate cancer. RAPAFLO® should not be used in patients with severe liver or kidney disease as well as those taking certain antifungal or HIV drugs. Avoid driving or hazardous tasks until you know how RAPAFLO® will affect you, as a sudden drop in blood pressure may occur, rarely resulting in fainting. If considering cataract surgery, tell your eye surgeon you're currently taking RAPAFLO® or have taken it in the past. Side effects include a decrease or absence of semen during sex, dizziness, diarrhea, lightheadedness upon standing or sitting up abruptly, headache, swelling of the throat and nasal passages, and stuffy nose.

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-272-5525
or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.