Treatment Options for Enlarged Prostate or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

It is common for a man's prostate gland to become enlarged as he ages. However, just because it is a common occurrence, it does not diminish the seriousness or discomfort of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Medical Treatments
Men who suffer from the symptoms of BPH typically need to undergo some sort of medical treatment. There are various methods used today to treat an enlarged prostate and its symptoms.

Drug Therapy
There are currently six medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve the symptoms of BPH, including:
• Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
• Doxazosin (Cardura)
• Dutasteride (Avodart)
• Finasteride (Proscar)
• Tamsulosin (Flomax)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)

A doctor may prescribe one or more of the above drugs to treat an enlarged prostate.

Minimally Invasive Therapy
Not all patients responded well to drug therapy. At this time, doctors look into the feasibility of minimally invasive treatments that are less invasive than conventional surgery. Some options include:
• Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT): The treatment sends computer-regulated microwaves through a catheter to carefully destroy excess prostate tissue
• Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA): TUNA works by delivering low levels of radiofrequency energy through a pair of needles to burn away part of the enlarged prostate while protecting the urethra from heat damage.
• Water-induced thermotherapy: Using a specially made catheter containing a treatment balloon, this treatment uses heated water to destroy excess tissue.
• High-intensity focused ultrasound: Not yet approved by the FDA for use in the United States, this treatment uses ultrasound waves to destroy excess prostate tissue.

Surgical Treatment
Many doctors view the removal of the enlarged part of the prostate of the best treatment for BPH. There are a few options for this surgical treatment, including:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): This surgery does not require an external incision, as the surgeon accesses the prostate through the urethra and removes the obstruction one piece of tissue at a time.
Open surgery: When TURP is not a viable option, due to a greatly enlarged prostate or other complicating factors, open surgery, which uses an external incision is used.
Laser surgery: A newer surgery and not always effective on larger prostates, laser surgery allows for a faster recovery and less loss of blood.

Alternative Treatments
In the early stages of BPH, some men opt to making lifestyle changes that help relieve symptoms of BPH, without relying on medications or surgeries.

BPH Diet
Certain foods containing tyramines can trigger an outbreak of BPH symptoms. By tracking the foods in their diet, men can find a pattern of foods that cause a flare-up of enlarged prostate symptoms and avoid these foods in their diets.

Removing Environmental Triggers
There has been some anecdotal evidence that the use of household cleaning products containing citral can trigger BPH symptom flare-ups. By removing this element from their environment, men may be able to reduce the occurrence of BPH symptoms.

Other environmental factors may also trigger symptoms of enlarged prostate. It is important for men to track the possible environmental factors.

Although these alternative BPH treatments have been effective for some, it is important to discuss your enlarged prostate treatment with your doctor. Because the symptoms of BPH can also be indicators of prostate cancer, be sure to schedule an examination with your physician at the onset of symptoms.

Learn more about natural BPH treatments, including an enlarged prostate diet and information to understand BPH environmental triggers at the Prostate Helper website.