Your physician can easily screen for BPH by performing simple tests to diagnose your condition and, if necessary, recommend a treatment plan for you. The following examinations are usually part of a routine check-up.

History and physical examination

Prior to any treatment decision, your physician will usually discuss with you the details of your urological history, as well as your general medical history. Your physician will assess all your previous and current medications (prescribed and non-prescribed medications), the surgeries you underwent, your allergies and habits (alcohol consumption, smoking).

If needed, this consultation will also focus on vascular disease, pulmonary disease and family history. Indeed, those will be important criteria for your physician to decide on the best treatment for you.

IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) Index

Your physician can rapidly evaluate the severity of your symptoms by using one of the various symptom scores that have been developed to quantify the subjective symptoms associated with BPH. Specific symptoms are graded and a total score is calculated reflecting the severity of the symptoms. Treatment decisions are based on this score. The most commonly used symptom score is the IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score). The IPSS is used to evaluate the severity of the symptoms. To correctly diagnose BPH, you need to consult your physician.

Before recommending a treatment plan, your physician may perform a series of tests to diagnose your condition. The most common tests include:

Uroflowmetry
Uroflow is a simple measure of urine flow rate over time. You will be asked to spontaneously urinate into a device for measurement. A slow uroflow may suggest BPH, and maybe the need for further investigation.

Urinalysis
Urine is collected after fresh bladder emptying (voiding). Important information is gathered through urinalysis: pH, proteins, glucose, red and white blood cells and crystals can be measured or detected. This information will help in completing the diagnostic process.

Digital Rectal Exam
A rectal exam of the prostate will help evaluate your condition. The prostate is palpable through the rectal wall. The doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum in order to determine the size and condition of the prostate.

The purpose of the Digital Rectal Examination is to assess the size of the prostate, symmetry and consistency, the anal tone, and to determine the potential presence of rectal masses. In a young adult male patient, the prostate is usually described as about the size of a chestnut.

Blood Test: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and Creatinine Levels
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is a routine blood test useful to rule out prostate cancer. PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells, is frequently present at elevated levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer. The PSA test has been approved in conjunction with Digital Rectal Exam to help detect prostate cancer in men over 50 and for monitoring prostate cancer after treatment.

The levels of Creatinine (an indicator of kidney function) in the blood can be measured with a simple blood test. Your physician uses this examination to evaluate the function of the kidney and detect potential kidney damage.

Ultrasound
An ultrasound is an external imaging examination. It enables the physician to determine several aspects related to the urinary tract. Ultrasound of the prostate, the bladder and the kidneys give very important information to complete the overview.

Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is an internal visual examination of the bladder. Your doctor will insert a small tube, the cystoscope, through the urethra into the bladder. This examination takes less than 5 minutes, is performed with local anaesthesia and is usually well tolerated.