How to Get Him to Act

Information

Once you become more informed about BPH, you can help him look into his treatment options with his doctor.

If you think he’s suffering, encourage him to fill in the Symptoms Questionnaire or maybe you could even do this for him. He could also assess how his symptoms are affecting his life by signing up to the Patient Support Program. If you have any concerns or think your partner might have BPH, persuade him to speak to a healthcare professional.

Top 10 tips10

If your partner is suffering from the symptoms of BPH you can help him with the following tips. Don't forget that he can get his bladder problems sorted out. And encourage him to talk to a healthcare professional if he's at all worried about his symptoms.

Remember that he’s probably a bit embarrassed about his problem, so approach the subject as tactfully and gently as you can. Click here to see how other people cope with men who have symptoms of BPH.

  1. He needs to try and relax when he pees. This will help it to flow better.
  2. If he holds on a bit longer each time he needs to go, the bladder gets used to holding more urine – it’s called bladder retraining.
  3. When you don’t want an occasion interrupted with his constant trips to the loo, suggest that he doesn’t drink much for the one or two hours beforehand – he should take care not to limit his overall intake of drinks, he still needs about 1.5 litres per day.
  4. Suggest that he minimises his alcohol consumption. Alcohol can irritate the bladder resulting in an urge to pee.
  5. Ideally, he should steer clear of coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks. These act as diuretics, making the body produce more urine so he needs to go to the loo more often.
  6. He could try what doctors call "double voiding" – when he thinks he's finished, he should try going again. This helps to make sure the bladder is empty.
  7. Breathing exercises and distraction can help him deal with an urgent need to pee. You can do the exercises with him or distract him from his bladder by starting a discussion about something else.
  8. Foods that contain zinc and lycopenes are reputed to be good for the prostate gland. These can be found in cooked tomatoes, tomato ketchup, pomegranate seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and shellfish. 50,51
  9. He should ensure his diet includes an adequate amount of fibre (fresh fruit and vegetables) and not an excessive amount of foods high in animal fat

Working with his pharmacist

BPH is very common and one in four men over the age of 40 will suffer from it as they get older.1 If your partner is experiencing urinary symptoms, his pharmacist will be happy to offer friendly advice and discuss your options.

Your pharmacist will ask your partner to complete a Symptom-Check Questionnaire. This will help them to assess his symptoms and identify any symptoms of a more serious nature. If they identify any alarming symptoms they will immediately refer him to his doctor. If they deem him suitable for treatment, they can supply him with OTC treatment or they might recommend lifestyle advice to him.

If he is given an OTC treatment he will still be advised to see your doctor to exclude any serious underlying conditions but he will be able to purchase the OTC treatment for up to six weeks. Once he has visited his doctor, he will then be free to continue purchasing OTC treatment as long as he does not experience any significant changes or new symptoms. In addition, an annual men's health check is recommended.

If left untreated, in some men BPH symptoms can deteriorate and increasingly impact quality of life therefore it is recommended that he speaks to a healthcare professional. In some cases, BPH can lead to urinary tract infections needing antibiotics; chronic urinary retention leading to kidney damage, and there is even the possibility of acute urinary retention where a catheter is required to empty the bladder.10,15

Tips for him to talk to his pharmacist

There is no single test to diagnose BPH so your partner should discuss his symptoms in detail with his pharmacist.

Symptoms of common lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) include: 4

  • Poor stream - The flow of urine is weaker, and it takes longer to empty your bladder
  • Hesitancy - You may have to wait at the toilet for a while before urine starts to flow
  • Dribbling - Towards the end of passing urine, the flow becomes a slow dribble
  • Poor emptying - You may have a feeling of not quite emptying your bladder
  • Frequency (passing urine more often than normal). This can be most irritating if it happens at night. Getting up several times a night is a common symptom and is called 'nocturia'.
  • Urgency. This means you have to get to the toilet quickly when you 'need to go'.

While BPH is the most common cause of these symptoms in men over the age of 40, other conditions can also cause them. The more information you can provide to your doctor, the easier it will be to make a correct diagnosis and offer the best treatment for your particular needs. As an aide memoir, try to remember MAPS:

  • Medications: have a complete list of all medications you take. That should include prescription items, over-the-counter products, alternative therapies and herbal remedies.
  • Allergies: provide a full list of everything you're allergic to.
  • Personal: don't be embarrassed to disclose personal information. BPH is very common and its symptoms will come as no surprise to your doctor.
  • Share: be prepared to discuss your family medical history.

What will happen if he tells his pharmacist he thinks he has the symptoms of BPH?

There is no single test to diagnose BPH. Your pharmacist will want to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms by listening to your partner talk about his symptoms and by asking him to complete a SQ. This will help them to assess his symptoms and identify any symptoms of a more serious nature.

If they identify any alarming symptoms they will immediately refer him to his doctor. Examples of alarming urinary symptoms include pain or burning sensation on urination, visible blood or discharge in urine and a fever.

If they deem your partner suitable for treatment, they can supply you with some OTC treatment or they might recommend lifestyle advice to him. If he is given an OTC treatment he will still be advised to see his doctor to exclude any serious underlying conditions but he will be able to purchase the OTC treatment for up to six weeks. Once he have visited his doctor, he will then be free to continue purchasing OTC treatment as long as he do not experience any significant changes or new symptoms. In addition, an annual men's health check is recommended.

Why visiting his pharmacist is nothing for him to be embarrassed of?

There is nothing for your partner to be embarrassed about - BPH is very common, in fact one in four (25%) men over the age of 40 can expect to suffer from it as they get older.1 Increased awareness of the condition should lead to more people talking about it, which will remove some of the embarrassment and stigma associated with it.

The pharmacy is an ideal place for your partner to discuss his symptoms as it is more informal than a doctor's surgery. In addition, many pharmacists have a private consultation room and are experienced in dealing with sensitive issues like this.