The overlapping lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To investigate the relationship, diagnosis and treatment of the overlapping lower urinary tract symptoms experienced by men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have clearly shown that men can suffer from both benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. Approximately 5-20% of men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia suffer from prostatitis-like symptoms, while over one third of men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia have had a diagnosis of prostatitis in the past. Differentiation between these two symptom-based medical conditions can be difficult because of overlapping symptoms, but pain clearly identifies those patients with chronic prostatitis. Treatment for men with co-occurring benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis may include alpha-blockers, 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and phytotherapies (saw palmetto and bee pollen extract), with evidence clearly showing the benefits of alpha-blocker therapy. SUMMARY: Benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis are a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms and frequently co-occur in older men. The best treatment for men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with both benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis is alpha-blockers.