What Are the Best Methods for Prostate Treatment?
When your prostate enlarges, it's important to know that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach when deciding what to do.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition common in men as they age, characterized by the overgrowth of the prostate.
You should discuss your symptoms with your doctor to decide on the best course of action. Your options may include:
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Watchful waiting and lifestyle changes
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Medications or supplements
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Surgery
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Watchful Waiting
If your symptoms are mild and don't bother you much, you can opt for regular monitoring with your doctor.
You can visit your doctor once a year or sooner if your symptoms change.
If there is prostate enlargement, the following symptoms should be monitored:
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Frequent need to urinate
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Feeling like the bladder is not fully emptied after urinating
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A sudden, urgent need to urinate
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Delay in starting urination
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Weak urine stream
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Difficulty starting urination
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Intermittent urination
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Incontinence
What are the necessary conditions to monitor an enlarged prostate?
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Your symptoms are mild
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You want to avoid the side effects of medications
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Some men with mild BPH may experience symptom relief without treatment. Factors such as seasonal changes, diet, and keeping warm may influence this.
If you choose watchful waiting, there are a few things you can do to ease your symptoms:
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Make small lifestyle changes. Drink fewer fluids before bed, avoid excessive tea, coffee, sweets, salty and spicy foods, and reduce alcohol consumption. Keep your feet warm.
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Avoid certain medications. Drugs like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine maleate (cold medications), and pseudoephedrine can worsen prostate symptoms by constricting the urinary tract.
These medications can cause sudden urinary blockage and prostate inflammation, often leading to treatment during the winter months.
If your symptoms worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor about active treatment. Here are some questions to ask:
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How much will my condition improve?
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How long will the effects last?
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Are there any potential side effects of the treatment?
You can discuss medications, supplements, or surgery with your doctor.
Prescription Prostate Medications
Medications can help alleviate symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Consider them if you have the following:
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Moderate symptoms that are not improving or may worsen
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You’ve made lifestyle changes with no success
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Prostate enlargement is affecting your quality of life
There are three types of drugs for moderate BPH, each with its own mechanism and side effects:
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Alpha blockers relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck to ease symptoms. Examples include alfuzosin (Xatral), doxazosin (Cardura), tamsulosin (Tamprost), and terazosin (Hytrin).
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5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) shrink the prostate and prevent further growth. Examples include dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar). These drugs lower dihydrotestosterone levels.
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Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) improve symptoms by increasing urine flow. Examples include sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), originally developed for erectile dysfunction but proven effective for prostate issues.
Some patients use combination therapy, but this increases the risk of side effects from both drugs.
The FDA requires a warning on 5-ARIs that they may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Medications in this class include dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar).
Natural Remedies for Prostate Enlargement
Saw palmetto is one of the most studied and widely used supplements for treating BPH, with numerous scientific studies supporting its benefits.
Other commonly used supplements include:
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Pumpkin seed extract
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Lycopene (tomato extract)
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Nettle extract
