Talking to Your Pharmacist

talking-to-pharmacist

Working with your pharmacist

BPH is very common and one in four men over the age of 40 will suffer from it as they get older.1 If you're experiencing urinary symptoms, your pharmacist will be happy to offer friendly advice and discuss your options.

Your pharmacist will ask you to complete a Symptom–check Questionnaire. This will help them to assess your symptoms and identify any symptoms of a more serious nature. If they identify any alarming symptoms they will immediately refer you to your doctor. If they deem you suitable for treatment, they can supply you with some OTC treatment or they might recommend lifestyle advice to you.

If you are given an OTC treatment you will still be advised to see your doctor to exclude any serious underlying conditions but you will be able to purchase the OTC treatment for up to six weeks. Once you have visited your doctor, you will then be free to continue purchasing OTC treatment as long as you do not experience any significant changes or new symptoms. In addition, an annual men's health check is recommended.

If left untreated, in some men BPH symptoms can deteriorate and increasingly impact quality of life therefore it is recommended that you speak to a healthcare professional. In some cases, BPH can lead to urinary tract infections needing antibiotics; chronic urinary retention leading to kidney damage, and there is even the possibility of acute urinary retention where a catheter is required to empty the bladder. 10,15

Tips for talking to your pharmacist

There is no single test to diagnose BPH so you should discuss your symptoms in detail with your pharmacist.

Symptoms of common lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) include: 4

  • Poor stream – The flow of urine is weaker, and it takes longer to empty your bladder
  • Hesitancy – You may have to wait at the toilet for a while before urine starts to flow
  • Dribbling – Towards the end of passing urine, the flow becomes a slow dribble
  • Poor emptying – You may have a feeling of not quite emptying your bladder
  • Frequency (passing urine more often than normal). This can be most irritating if it happens at night. Getting up several times a night is a common symptom and is called 'nocturia'.
  • Urgency. This means you have to get to the toilet quickly when you 'need to go'.

While BPH is the most common cause of these symptoms in men over the age of 40, other conditions can also cause them. The more information you can provide to your pharmacist, the easier it will be to make a correct diagnosis and offer the best treatment for your particular needs. If you have kept an online diary it may help the pharmacist if you print it off and take it with you to help them assess the severity of your symptoms. In addition, providing the following information will help your pharmacist assess your condition more accurately and thoroughly. As an aide memoir, try to remember MAPS:

  • Medications: have a complete list of all medications you take. That should include prescription items, over–the–counter products, alternative therapies and herbal remedies.
  • Allergies: provide a full list of everything you're allergic to.
  • Personal: don't be embarrassed to disclose personal information. BPH is very common and its symptoms will come as no surprise to your pharmacist but you can ask to talk to him/her in a private area of the pharmacy if required.
  • Share: be prepared to discuss your family medical history.

What will happen if I tell my pharmacist I think I have the symptoms of BPH?

There is no single test to diagnose BPH. Your pharmacist will want to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms by listening to you talk about your symptoms and by asking you to complete a Symptoms Questionnaire. This will help them to assess your symptoms and identify any symptoms of a more serious nature. Your pharmacist will ask you to fill out a Symptoms Questionnaire which will include details of your symptoms and how much they are bothering you, other medicines you may be taking and any other conditions you may have.

If they identify any alarming symptoms they will immediately refer you to your doctor. Examples of alarming urinary symptoms include pain or burning sensation on urination, visible blood or discharge in urine and a fever.

If they deem you suitable for treatment, they can supply you with some OTC treatment or they might recommend lifestyle advice to you. If you are given an OTC treatment you will still be advised to see your doctor to exclude any serious underlying conditions but you will be able to purchase the OTC treatment for up to six weeks. Once you have visited your doctor, you will then be free to continue purchasing OTC treatment as long as you do not experience any significant changes or new symptoms. In addition, an annual men's health check is recommended.

Why visiting your pharmacist is nothing to be embarrassed of

There is nothing to be embarrassed about – BPH is very common, in fact one in four (25%) men over the age of 40 can expect to suffer from it as they get older. 1 Increased awareness of the condition should lead to more people talking about it, which will remove some of the embarrassment and stigma associated with it.

The pharmacy is an ideal place to discuss your symptoms as it is more informal than a doctor's surgery. In addition, many pharmacists have a private consultation room and are experienced in dealing with sensitive issues like this.