Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting involves no active treatment, but this does not mean that no action is taken. Men who are advised to use this strategy need to pay close attention to their symptoms and to get regular checkups from their primary healthcare practitioner who will monitor the progress of symptoms, conduct a physical exam, and order a few, simple lab tests to check for unsuspected problems. Patients also must take an active role in preventing the need for future treatment by, for example, changing some lifestyle behaviors.
Watchful waiting is recommended for men with mild symptoms of BPH because the condition often does not get any worse and may even improve without active treatment. This strategy also is an appropriate course of action, if a man can live with or tolerate his symptoms. The only reason to seek treatment of BPH is if symptoms become troublesome.
