Condition:

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)

24th July

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a very frequent issue for both men and women and unfortunately become more common with age. In men the most likely cause is developing obstruction thanks to non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland (BPH), however, the symptoms may also relate to problems with bladder function and this too may affect women.

Therefore, typically, LUTS are described as being either Filling or storage symptoms, which include

Filling or storage symptoms, which include

• Increased frequency in the need to urinate
• Increased urgency in the need to urinate even leading to incontinence
• Having to urinate possibly several times at night

Voiding or obstructive symptoms, including

• Poor urinary stream
• Difficulty initiating the flow of urine
• The sensation of poor bladder emptying
• Needing to strain to pass urine

All these symptoms are very common and are actually very unlikely to relate to prostate cancer.

Management Options

Assessments:

• Flow rates analysis, IPSS questionnaire,
• Flexible cystoscopy
• Urodynamics

Treatments options:

• Lifestyle measures
• Medications
• Surgery (including Urolift, bipolar TURP)