How to start the conversation with your doctor.

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His Health Affects You Too

Understand. Communicate. Support. Take action.

You live with BPH too.

BPH is your partners' or spouses' issue too. Why? If your partner has BPH, you feel it too. You might be losing sleep due to his frequent bathroom trips at night. Maybe you are unable to take long trips with your partner because of his BPH symptoms. Maybe you can't go to the theater or a sports event because he's worried about embarrassing leakage or a sudden need to use the bathroom in public places. And maybe it's affecting your sex life.13

BPH is a common, treatable condition that occurs in the vast majority of men sooner or later as they age. But left untreated, symptoms of BPH can worsen significantly and lead to complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney damage, or incontinence.3 Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent this from happening.

And even though BPH is not related to cancer, many of the symptoms of BPH are similar to those of more serious conditions such as prostate cancer. So it is important to have your partner talk to a doctor about his BPH symptoms.

But most men with BPH symptoms wait years before seeing a doctor.14 There are many reasons for this reluctance14

They may be embarrassed to discuss urinary problems with a doctor
They may assume that urinary symptoms are just a natural part of the aging process and that there's nothing to be done
They may have heard of surgical complications from friends or family
They may have had previous unpleasant reactions to older medical treatments
They may be unaware of currently available treatments

So don't just stand BY your man. Stand UP for his health and your peace of mind.

Learn all you can about BPH, its diagnosis and treatment
Pay attention to symptoms in your loved one.
Start the conversation with him, even if it's difficult.
Get him to see that he owes it to himself and to you to seek medical care. Help him prepare so he can feel more in control of the process. Offer to go with him to the doctor. It helps to have another person listening and asking questions.
Understand how BPH treatment may affect his experience of intercourse and be prepared to help work through those changes with him.

References

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Bruskewitz RC. Quality of life and sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(2):72-80
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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.
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National Institute on Aging: Talking With Your Doctor. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/TalkingWithYourDoctor/. Accessed March 5, 2009.
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia from NIH: Enlarged Prostate. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000381.htm. Accessed March 5, 2009.
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.
Kuritzky L. A primary care physician’s perspective on benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(suppl 5):S42-S48.
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.
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.
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.
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McConnell JD, Roehrborn CG, Bautista OM, et al. The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med. 2003;18:2387-2398
Issa MM, Regan T. Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia—present and future impact. Am J Manag Care. 2007;13:S4-S9.
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Berry SJ, Coffey DS, Walsh PC, et al. The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with age. J Urol. 1984;132:474.
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(4):1033-1038
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http://www.dictionary.com
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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 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 orgasm with reduced or no semen, dizziness, diarrhea, lightheadedness upon standing or sitting up abruptly, headache, swelling of the throat and nasal passages, and stuffy nose.