Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate. The prostate is usually a walnut-sized gland located at the neck of the bladder. It surrounds the urethra. The gland is part of the male reproductive system. The enlargement is not due to cancer.

Enlarged Prostate

Treatment

Treatment is not needed for mild cases. Most men with BPH eventually request medical intervention.

Treatments include:

Medication

Medicines prescribed to treat BPH include:

5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride)—These drugs are taken to improve symptoms, like the urge to urinate frequently and difficulty starting to urinate.
Alpha-blockers (eg, tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin)—These drugs are taken to reduce bladder obstruction and improve urine flow.
Antimuscarinics (oxybutynin, solifenacin, tolterodine, darifenacin, trospium, fesoterodine)—These drugs are taken to relax the bladder muscles, which helps to reduce the urge to urinate frequently.
Phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme inhibitor (tadalafil [Cialis])—This erectile dysfunction drug can also be prescribed to improve the symptoms of BPH.
- Note: You should not take tadalafil if you are also taking nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin) because your blood pressure may become dangerously low. Also, tadalafil should not be taken in combination with alpha blockers.

Each group of medicines has different side effects. Enzyme inhibitors may cause decreased sexual desire and problems with erection. Alpha-blockers may cause decreased blood pressure, dizziness, and stuffy nose. Antimuscarinics can cause dry mouth, constipation, dry eyes, trouble emptying the bladder, and confusion.

If you have BPH, you should not take decongestant drugs containing alpha-agonists (eg, pseudoephedrine). These drugs can worsen BPH symptoms.

Minimally Invasive Interventions

These are used when drugs are ineffective, but the patient is not ready for surgery. Nonsurgical treatments include:

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)—uses microwaves to destroy excess prostate tissue
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)—uses low levels of radio frequency energy to burn away portions of the enlarged prostate
Transurethral laser therapy—uses highly focused laser energy to remove prostate tissue

Surgery

Surgical procedures include:

Transurethral surgical resection of the prostate (TURP)—a scope is inserted through the penis to remove the enlarged portion of the prostate
Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)—small cuts are made in the neck of the bladder to widen the urethra
Open surgery—removal of the enlarged portion of the prostate through an incision, usually in the lower abdominal area, much more invasive then TURP or TUIP
Prostatic stents—tiny metal coils that are inserted into urethra to widen it and keep it open
- Usually used for men who do not wish to take medication or have surgery
- Does not appear to be a good long-term option

Alternative Treatments

Examples of herbal products that have been studied as a possible BPH treatments include:

Saw palmetto—Results from studies vary on how useful saw palmetto is in reducing symptoms.
Beta-sitosterol—Some studies suggest that this may help reduce symptoms.
Pygeum—Some studies suggest that this may help reduce symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with BPH, follow your doctor's instructions.

Berkow R, et al. The Merck Manual of Medical Information. 17th ed. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.

Beta-sitosterol. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated August 2011. Accessed October 7, 2011.

Fagelman E, Lowe FC. Saw palmetto berry as a treatment for BPH. Rev Urol. 2001 Summer;3(3):134-8.

Fried NM. New laser treatment approaches for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Curr Urol Rep. 2007 Jan;8(1):47-52.

Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. American Urological Association. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/content/clinical-practice-guidelines/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph. Updated 2006. Accessed June 30, 2008.

Greco KA, McVary KT. The role of combination medical therapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Int J Impot Res. 2008 Dec;20 Suppl 3:S33-43.

Marberger M. Drug insight: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Nat Clin Pract Urol. 2006 Sep;3(9):495-503.

Prostate enlargement: Benign prostatic hyperplasia. National Kidney Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/. Accessed July 26, 2010.

Pygeum. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated August 2011. Accessed October 7, 2011.

Roehrborn CG, Siami P, Barkin J, et al; CombAT Study Group. The effects of combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin on clinical outcomes in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: 4-year results from the CombAT study. Eur Urol. 2010 Jan;57(1):123-31. Epub 2009 Sep 19.

Saw palmetto. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated August 2011. Accessed October 7, 2011.

Ulbricht C, Basch E, Bent S, et al. Evidence-based systematic review of saw palmetto by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006;4(4):170-86.

10/7/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/: Barry MJ, Meleth S, Lee JY, et al. Effect of increasing doses of saw palmetto extract on lower urinary tract symptoms: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2011;306(12):1344-1351.

10/14/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/: US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Cialis to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm274642.htm. Updated October 6, 2011. Accessed October 14, 2011.

Last reviewedSeptember 2012by Adrienne Carmack, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Enlarged Prostate

Causes

Risk Factors

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Medication

Minimally Invasive Interventions

Surgery

Alternative Treatments

Prevention

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