Prostate Treatment: What Are Your Options?
 One of the most common and potentially serious men's health challenges is prostate issues. When prostate problems arise and a patient seeks prostate help, it is generally up to the patient to decide which prostate treatment they want to use, depending on the severity of the issue. In most cases, patients must choose been a conventional treatment or what is commonly referred to as "watchful waiting."
Watchful waiting is often used when symptoms are early or mild, and requires the patient to make the necessary lifestyle changes as well as keep up with prostate exams to monitor the severity of the condition. Prostate treatment, on the other hand, can involve anything from supplements and medications to invasive surgeries.
The type of prostate treatment a patient chooses is often decided based on the severity of the symptoms the patient is experiencing. The International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) is the common scale used to determine symptom severity:
- Score of 7 or below - This usually indicates mild to no symptoms, and most health care providers will often recommend watchful waiting as the best treatment option.
- Score of 8-19 - Considered to be moderate symptoms, this level usually results in treatment that is often up to how well the patient can tolerate the symptoms. Watchful waiting is possible, but many also choose the option of medication like alpha-blockers and anti-androgens. Nearly 40% of men who fall into this group seek some kind of prostate treatment, with 25% requiring surgery.
- Score of 20 and above - People in this group are considered to have severe symptoms and almost always choose medication and surgical options, most commonly transurethral resurrection of the prostate (TURP).
If you are concerned about your prostate health, it is important to speak to your primary care provider. As with any medical condition, early detection is the key to effective treatment of prostate issues. |
