Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) describe many different urination problems in men. You may hear your doctor use the term LUTS if you have:
- Poor or intermittent urine stream
- Straining to pee
- Sudden urge to urinate
- Waking up many times at night to pee
- Having to pee frequently
- Feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder
You are more likely to experience LUTS if you are over age 50. Your urologist can help you identify the cause of LUTS and decide which treatment is right for you.
Treatments
Medicines
Medicines like antibiotics can help treat urinary tract infections, a common cause of LUTS. Other medicines can relax your bladder, constrict your bladder, or reduce the size of your prostate depending on the cause of your LUTS.
Lifestyle Changes
To help control LUTS, you may need to lose weight, lower your blood pressure, stop smoking, or change your drinking habits. For instance, you may need to avoid alcohol or not drink any fluids at all after a few hours before you go to bed. Your doctor can help you make these healthy changes.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
If a severely enlarged prostate is causing LUTS, your doctor may perform surgery to remove part of the prostate and relieve pressure on the bladder and urethra. In this minimally invasive procedure, your doctor will insert a specialized camera and surgical tool through your urethra (the tube which carries urine out of your body). This tool allows them to remove sections of the prostate. You won’t have any scars, but may spend one to two days in the hospital.
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP)
During this technique, your urologist uses a laser to remove parts of the prostate blocking urine flow. They also use a specialized tool to cut away parts of the prostate. Like TURP, you’ll have no scars and have a fast recovery with just a day or two in the hospital.
Tests
Urine Tests
Your doctor may take a sample of your urine to look for signs of infection, bladder stones, or other causes of LUTS.
Digital Rectal Exam
In this exam, your urologist will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the prostate for enlargement. An enlarged prostate can cause LUTS.
Ultrasound
Your doctor may use a noninvasive ultrasound to examine your bladder and prostate.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
For a PSA test, your doctor will take a sample of blood. This blood is tested for a specific antigen (immune cell) that may indicate prostate cancer.
Cystoscopy
For this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end through your urethra and into your bladder to check for possible blockages or other concerns.
Why Choose UHealth?
Innovative, expert urology care at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. Our team of urology experts delivers advanced care for all urologic conditions. We use the latest research and the least invasive procedures to help you feel better and recover more quickly. Our experienced urologists design a personalized treatment plan to give you the best possible results.
Leaders in robotic surgery treatment. We have some of the world’s most experienced robotic surgeons for urologic procedures. In fact, doctors come from all over the world to learn at our Urology Robotic Program — the #1 ranked program in South Florida. The University of Miami Health System was the first academic medical center in the world to get the da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system and has completed more than 5,000 robotic surgeries — procedures that offer less pain and scarring and a faster recovery.
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