Over-the-counter medication availability could augment self-management of male lower urinary tract symptoms

ABSTRACT

In this review, we focus on current trends in the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), defined here as LUTS, namely, storage, voiding, and post-micturition symptoms presumed secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and discuss possible novel approaches toward better care.

According to results of a PubMed database search covering the last 10 years and using keywords pertaining to male LUTS, this condition continues to be globally undiagnosed or diagnosed late, partly because of men’s hesitation to seek help for perceived embarrassing problems or problems considered a normal part of aging. In addition, the prevalence of male LUTS is continually increasing because of a constantly aging population. Male LUTS can be bothersome and affect the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function. Additional effective alternatives for managing this condition need to be identified and incorporated into the current care model.

Considering that most male LUTS such as frequency, hesitancy, urgency, and intermittency are easy to self-identify, a self-management approach toward male LUTS is proposed. Limited evidence supports the efficacy of phytotherapies and herbals as self-management options for male LUTS. However, introducing over-the-counter (OTC) medication with proven efficacy, accompanied by lifestyle and behavioral modifications, may be a promising approach that will encourage more men to treat their symptoms in a timely manner. Formal guidelines, along with appropriate education programs for patients and support from the healthcare community, will be needed to ensure that the promise of this approach is fully materialized.

KEYWORDS:

• Alpha blockers
• benign prostatic hyperplasia
• lower urinary tract symptoms
• over-the-counter
• self-management

Acknowledgments

Writing, editorial support, and formatting assistance for this manuscript was provided by Michelle Rebello, PhD, Disha Dayal, PhD, and Maribeth Bogush, MCI, PhD, of Cactus Communications, which was contracted and compensated by BIPI. BIPI was given the opportunity to review the manuscript for medical and scientific accuracy, as well as intellectual property considerations.

Declaration of interest

CGR has received personal fees from BIPI. MM and RS report no conflicts of interest. A Postgraduate Medicine peer reviewer on this manuscript declares that they are a consultant to Boehringer Ingelheim, related to a possible switch of tamsulosin to an OTC status. All other Postgraduate Medicine peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Writing, editorial support, and formatting assistance for this manuscript was provided by Cactus Communications, which was contracted and compensated by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc (BIPI).