Benign prostatic hypertrophy is a condition that occurs when the prostate enlarges, potentially slowing or blocking the urine stream. The symptoms caused by BPH include:

- frequent daytime and nighttime urination
- a hesitant, interrupted, or weak stream of urine
- leaking or dribbling of urine

For men with bothersome symptoms, treatment with one or more medications or surgery is available and is generally effective.



Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Workup


This workup includes:
- a Uroflow Study
- a Transrectal Ultrasound of the Prostate (TRUS)
- and a Cystoscopy



Below is a brief description of each.

Uroflow Study:
A Uroflow study is a simple voiding test.
We need you to arrive to your appointment with a comfortably full bladder.
The study will tell us if you are emptying your bladder effectively.
You will be brought to a private room where you will urinate into a special commode.
Again, this will be done in private.

Transrectal Ultrasound of the Prostate (TRUS):
This study provides images of the prostate and surrounding tissue, and allows the physician
to examine the gland for abnormalities.
The doctor will also take measurements to determine the size of the prostate.
The procedure is performed with you lying on your left side with knees bent.
A digital rectal exam (like you had on your previous visit) is repeated and then a small,
cylindrical, lubricated, transducer is inserted into the rectum.
The transducer directs high-frequency sound waves into the body.
As these sound waves are reflected back to the transducer, it records and transmits them to
a monitoring device, which creates the images (sonograms).

Cystoscopy:
Cystoscopy is a procedure that looks at the interior lining of the bladder, urethra, & prostate.
The cystoscope is a thin, lighted viewing instrument (attached to a camera) that is inserted into the urethra and advanced into the bladder. The procedure takes 1-2 minutes.
A medication called lidocaine jelly is used to “numb” the urine channel. This medication works almost immediately.
When a cystoscope is advancing through the prostate gland, some men may feel a pressure sensation. The best thing you can do to alleviate that sensation is to take deep breathes and RELAX.

After your procedures are completed, you will get dressed and proceed to an exam room.
Here, Dr. Gellman will discuss what he has learned from your BPH workup.
This is a good time to ask any questions you might have.
If you would like to have your spouse or significant other present for this discussion, please arrange to have them accompany you for the visit.
Please note, spouses and significant others may not be present during the procedures.