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What are lower urinary tract What causes LUTS? Other causes of LUTS include some
symptoms (LUTS)? LUTS, especially if pain on urination medicines and neurological diseases
LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) (dysuria) is also present, may be such as stroke and Parkinsons
is a term used to describe a range caused by an acute problem such as a disease. There are also links
of symptoms related to problems urinary tract infection, inflammation between LUTS and depression and
of the lower urinary tract (bladder, of the prostate gland (prostatitis) or erectile dysfunction.
prostate and urethra). LUTS are less commonly, bladder stones. It is common for there to be several
broadly grouped into voiding Storage symptoms or overactive factors acting at the same time to
(obstructive) symptoms or storage bladder (OAB defined as urgency, cause LUTS and the exact cause is
(irritative) symptoms. A man may with or without urge incontinence, not always easy to find.
have mainly voiding symptoms, usually with frequency and nocturia) Can LUTS be prevented?
mainly storage symptoms, or a may indicate an underlying chronic A man is less likely to get LUTS
combination of both. medical condition such as obesity, if he has a healthy lifestyle and
LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS (LUTS) IN MEN body weight, does not smoke and
gets treatment for any medical
VOIDING OR OBSTRUCTIVE SYMPTOMS STORAGE OR IRRITATIVE SYMPTOMS
conditions such as diabetes, high
Hesitancy a longer than usual wait for These are also symptoms typical of
blood pressure or sleep apnoea.
the stream of urine to begin OAB (overactive bladder)
For a man with LUTS, reducing
Weak and poorly directed stream caffeine and alcohol intake (these
of urine Urgency an urgent feeling of
needing to urinate substances can irritate the bladder),
Straining to urinate avoiding constipation (straining to
Dribbling after urination has finished or Frequency a short time between pass stools can affect pelvic floor
an irregular stream needing to urinate muscles, which are important for
Chronic urinary retention not all the both bowel and bladder control),
urine is passed from the bladder causing a Nocturia a need to pass urine two and reducing body weight may help
need to urinate more often or more times during the night. to improve the symptoms.
Overflow or paradoxical incontinence When should I see a doctor for
urine overflows from a full bladder Urge incontinence a sudden, LUTS?
uncontrollably even though normal intense urge to urinate followed by
urination can be difficult to start an uncontrolled loss of urine LUTS is not just a normal part of
ageing so it is a good idea to see
How common are LUTS? your local doctor (GP) if you notice
diabetes (high glucose levels in any changes to urination, particularly
LUTS are common in men and the blood), high blood pressure or if the symptoms are affecting your
are more likely as men get older; obstructive sleep apnoea, or be due quality of life or interfering with
however, LUTS can also happen in to the effects of smoking. Lifestyle normal daily activities.
young men, although the cause of factors including drinking fluids late
the symptoms may be different. A Many people think that urinary
at night, too much alcohol or caffeine,
large Australian study has shown symptoms in men are a sign of prostate
or low levels of physical activity can
that about one in fourteen (7%) cancer. This is not true. Prostate cancer
make storage symptoms worse.
men in their 40s, increasing to may sometimes be present with urinary
Voiding symptoms are usually symptoms but most often it is not
nearly one in three (29%) men over due to a blockage of the outlet
the age of 70, reports moderate to and the LUTS have other causes.
of the bladder making it more
severe LUTS. A smaller Australian If needed, the doctor may refer you
difficult to pass urine. The blockage
study of men 35 to 80 years old to a urologist. Urologists specialise
may be caused by an enlarged
found that storage symptoms in diseases of the urinary tract in
prostate gland or a urethral
were twice as common as voiding men and women, and the genital
stricture (scarring of the urethra).
symptoms (28% versus 13%). organs in men.
Enlargement of the prostate gland
can lead to both storage and
voiding symptoms.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in men Page 2 of 2
Expert reviewers
Professor Gary Wittert Mr Jeremy Grummet Andrology Australia is an initiative funded by the Australian Government Department of Health
c/o School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
MB BCh MD FRACP FRCP MBBS MS FRACS
PO Box 315, Prahran
University of Adelaide & Royal Alfred Health & Monash Victoria 3181, Australia
AA12.1.1 LUTS/FS