Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most prevalent disease in the ageing male and the incidence of symptomatic disease is likely to increase in the millenium with increased life expectancy. BPH can have a severe impact on quality of life, including sexual function, and yet many men do not seek medical attention for this and many other diseases. Surgery is no longer a mandatory treatment for BPH. Medical management can provide excellent symptom relief and improvement in urinary flow rates, as well as quality of life, and men need to be made aware of this in order to make informed treatment decisions. In the broader context, men should be encouraged to become more health conscious and develop a more positive attitude towards their health.