What is Enlarged
Prostate?

Steps your Physician may take to diagnose Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

A series of tests help your doctor diagnose BPH

When your symptoms indicate enlarged prostate (BPH), your regular doctor may send you to a urologist. Your urologist will give you a physical examination, review your medical history, and evaluate your symptoms. You may be asked to complete a list of questions known as the American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Score Index or AUA BPH Symptom Quiz in order to help measure the severity of your symptoms. Then, a series of tests will be performed. These tests may vary from patient to patient, but can include the following:

Tests often performed

• Digital rectal exam. This test checks the size and firmness of the prostate to determine if it is enlarged. However, the size of the prostate does not always determine the severity of the symptoms; a man with a small amount of prostate enlargement may have more severe symptoms than a man with more enlargement.
• Urinalysis and urine culture. This test checks for a urinary tract infection that might be the cause of the symptoms.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This is a blood test that helps check for prostate cancer, which can cause symptoms similar to those of an enlarged prostate.

Other tests that may be performed

• Post-void residual urine test (PVR). This test measures the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination.
• Pressure flow study. This test measures pressure in the bladder during urination.
• Cystometrogram. This measures bladder pressure and the storage capacity of your bladder.
• Uroflowmetry test. This measures how fast the urine flows out of the bladder.

Next page: Treatment

Disclaimer: This material is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a consultation. You should talk with a urologist regarding your specific symptoms or medical condition.