Your urologist can be your best ally in helping you address your BPH. They will conduct the necessary tests to determine the scope of your BPH, monitor symptoms and progression, and discuss possible treatment options to give you relief. Your involvement in the treatment decision-making process is important.

Treating your BPH should be a collaborative effort between you and your urologist. Each interaction is an opportunity to work together to address your condition and improve your overall quality of life.

What is Shared Decision Making?^1,2

• Shared decision making is a model of patient care in which patients are enabled and encouraged to participate in the medical decisions relating to their health by asking informed questions and expressing personal values and opinions about their conditions and treatment options.
• As a result, clinicians consider patients’ goals and preferences to guide recommendations and treatments.
• By empowering yourself to make decisions about your health that better reflect your personal preferences, you are more likely to experience more favorable health outcomes.

How to Engage in Shared Decision Making^2,3

#1Identify your treatment goals

Your urologist will recommend a suggested course of treatment based on their medical expertise, the severity of your condition, and their understanding of your personal needs and treatment goals, based on what you have communicated.³

Ask yourself the following:

• Do I want to take daily medications or explore a procedure for my condition?
• Am I willing to wait to see how my condition progresses or is it more important to me to avoid the risk of further health complications resulting from BPH?
• Are there treatment complications I want to avoid, such as sexual dysfunction?
• How concerned am I about recovery period after treatments that could affect my daily lifestyle, such as time off from work and the ability to continue daily activities?



Be prepared to share your point of view on these important considerations with your urologist. The more they know about what you want out of treatment the more satisfied you are likely to be.

#2Educate yourself on ALL treatment options

It is important to realize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to BPH treatment. Certain treatment options are better for some men than others, depending on condition severity, personal preferences, side effects, and more. Educate yourself on all of your options. Based on your identified treatment goals, compare your options and learn more about which ones may best meet your personal needs. For example, here are some things you may want to keep in mind when comparing options:

• How invasive is the treatment?
• How soon will symptom relief be experienced?
• How long may the results last?
• What are the potential complications or side effects?
• How long does it take to recover from the procedure?
• Is the treatment convenient for you?
• Will a catheter be required after the procedure?
• What can I expect from medications compared to a minimally invasive procedure?
• What are the risks of Watchful Waiting?
• Have we done all diagnostic tests to see what I qualify for?
• Does my insurance cover the treatment?

#3Make a decision together

When it is time to discuss and determine a treatment decision, work with your urologist to identify which option is best for you. Give your urologist an opportunity to present information that supports both sides of the discussion.

Before you make a final decision make sure you feel informed of your options and that you have a clear understanding of the treatment chosen and how it relates to your health, personal preferences, and values.

Learn more about which choices might be best for you.