The Medical Management of Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Enlargement

Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) is a common problem affecting one third of men over 50 years of age, with prevalence increasing with age [1]. Symptomatic BPE results in bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that do not only affect the quality of life (QoL) of a man and his family, but also potentially increase the risk of significant and costly long-term health sequelae such as acute urinary retention (AUR), hospitalisation and surgery [2]. The management of BPE has advanced considerably in the past 20 years to include less invasive surgical and pharmaceutical options, when previously the choice was between reassurance with no treatment or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) [3]. This paper reviews current medical management of BPE.