HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if:
- You are completely unable to urinate.
- Urination is painful and you have a fever over 100°F (37.8°C), chills, or body aches.
- You have pain in the lower back, just below your rib cage (flank pain), that is not related to an injury or physical effort.
- There is blood or pus in your urine or semen.
Call your doctor if you have painful urination and any of the following signs of a possible urinary tract infection or prostate infection that last longer than 24 hours:
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Painful ejaculation
- Problems controlling your urination during the day or at night
Call your doctor if you have urination problems that have developed over a few weeks or a few months and are frequent.
Watchful waiting
If urinary symptoms are minor or they don't bother you too much, and you do not have prostate cancer or a prostate infection, it may be appropriate to try watchful waiting or home treatment. Call a doctor if your symptoms change or get worse or if you change your mind about treatment.
Who to see
Mild and moderate urinary symptoms that are caused by BPH can be evaluated and treated by any of the following health professionals:
- Reference Nurse practitioner Opens New Window
- Reference Physician assistant Opens New Window
- Reference Family medicine doctor Opens New Window
- Reference Internist Opens New Window
- Reference Urologist Opens New Window
If the symptoms are severe or if surgical treatment is being considered, you probably need to see a urologist.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference March 5, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
