This trial studies whether 3 different methods of asking patients about adverse medical events in a clinical trial affects the rate of reported side effects.

214 patients involved in a larger randomized controlled trial of the herb, saw palmetto, for benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomly assigned to 3 different methods of adverse event ascertainment after a 1-month placebo run-in visit. Two methods of ascertainment were open ended questions, and 1 was a checklist. Patients were blinded to group assignment, but investigators were aware (single blind). All patients had taken placebo for one month, but had been told it was a study drug (single blind).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male, age > 49, American Urological Association Symptom Index > 8
• Max urine flow rate > 4 and < 15

Exclusion Criteria:

• prior prostate cancer or surgery
• use of medications that affect urination
• severe concomitant illness