We all know about the development of prostate problems in men starting in middle age. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer are the traditional concerns.

Recently, I attended a presentation by Dr Richard Payne of Encinitas, Calif, sponsored by the Urologic Health Foundation. The title was “Diagnosing and Treating Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in the Primary Care Setting.” LUTS is a new acronym for me, and it provides a broader view of the variety of lower urinary tract problems that men (and, in some cases, women) get.

There are 4 common conditions that make up LUTS:

1. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO): This is a funny acronym and refers to any obstruction involving the bladder and urethra.
2. Benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia (BPH): Note the 2 possible meanings for the H, an important distinction made by biopsy. Hyperplasia may indicate an increased cancer risk.
3. Enlarged prostate (EP): Many men are found to have an enlarged prostate with no symptoms of obstruction.
4. Overactive bladder (OAB): Men and women share this symptom, which may benefit from dietary change, specifically, limiting caffeine and other irritants, and sometimes, reducing stress. The medications for OAB are entirely different than those for BPH.

It takes time for acronyms to stick, and I admit that LUTS may not be a keeper. I do think that taking a broader view of the variety of conditions men (and women) get in the lower urinary tract is useful.