An enlarged prostate in men usually results from an abnormal cell growth. Pharmaceutical treatments for prostate health include the well-known alpha-blockers as well as a combination of drugs.
The prostate is a gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate is located around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
An enlarged prostate is a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia – a non-cancerous abnormal cell growth. Although the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia sometimes appear similar to those of prostate cancer, doctors do not link the two, and benign prostatic hyperplasia does not increase the chance of cancer.
The doctor will help the person choose the right treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia based on the severity of their symptoms and the overall health of their prostate.
In this article we made on uromed.gr, we look at the reasons why someone may need medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as the types of medication available and some alternative treatment options.
Alpha blockers
Alpha blockers are drugs that help relax the muscles near the prostate. This relieves pressure and allows urine to flow more easily through the bladder.
Examples of alpha blockers include:
tamsulosin
doxazosin
alfuzosin
prazosin
terazosin
These types of alpha-blockers are called selective alpha-1 blockers. They treat benign prostatic hyperplasia by causing the smooth muscle of the prostate to relax, allowing urine to flow freely through the bladder.
Possible side effects
Possible side effects of alpha blockers include:
● weakness
● fast heartbeat or tachycardia
● low blood pressure or hypotension
● trembling
To avoid these side effects, doctors recommend that people take the drug at night.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors
5-alpha reductase inhibitors block the production of the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone, which builds up in the prostate and can cause prostate enlargement.
Finasteride and dutasteride are examples of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
These drugs prevent the progression of prostate growth or, in some cases, actively shrink the prostate. Doctors generally prescribe 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for a moderately enlarged prostate because they work more slowly than alpha blockers.
Possible side effects
Side effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may include:
● decreased libido
● erectile dysfunction
● reduced volume of ejaculation
● increase in breast tissue or gynecomastia
● low blood pressure
● weakness
● dizziness
● reduced fertility
PDE5 inhibitors
Doctors commonly prescribe phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors to treat erectile dysfunction. These drugs work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the lower urinary tract, which helps relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Some examples of PDE5 inhibitors are:
For penile erection, nerve impulses cause the production of nitric oxide, which diffuses into smooth muscle cells and stimulates the formation of messenger molecules called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This causes cellular activity.
PDE5 inhibitors block an enzyme called PDE5, which prevents the breakdown of cGMP. This allows the smooth muscle of the prostate to relax, promoting the dilation of the penile arteries and the increase in blood flow necessary for a sustained erection.
Possible side effects
Side effects of PDE5 medications can include:
● reddening of the skin
● mild headache
● indigestion
● low blood pressure
● dizziness
● altered color vision
● lower back pain
● rhinitis, or blocked and stuffy nose
Herbal remedies for prostatic hyperplasia
Dietary supplements for prostate hyperplasia are not as tightly regulated as the drugs your doctor prescribes.
This means that their quality, safety and results may vary. It is best to speak with your doctor before starting any supplement for prostate treatment or maintenance.
The most common supplements
The best-studied, most commonly used dietary supplements for the treatment of BPH are:
● Beta-sitosterol
● Pygeum
● Rye grass
● Saw palmetto
Beta-sitosterol: This is a substance found in many plants. It doesn’t affect the size of the prostate, but it can help your bladder empty and give you a stronger stream of urine. It may also improve other BPH symptoms.
Studies with Harzol and Azuprostat, two supplements containing beta-sitosterol from South African starwort, have shown very good signs of healing.
Pygeum: It comes from the bark of the African plum tree. It seems to help some men with benign hyperplasia not get up as often at night to urinate, urinate less often during the day, have a stronger urine stream, and empty their bladder better.
Rye Pollen Extract: This substance can improve a number of BPH symptoms, including:
● Inability to complete urination
● Frequent urination during the day
● Painful urination
● Weak urine flow
● Immediate need to urinate
Some research shows that it can also shrink the prostate, giving you better flow and helping you empty your bladder.
Saw palmetto: This is a shrub that thrives in North America. Some studies have shown significant benefit in treating BPH. However, some other studies do not show that saw palmetto reduces prostate size or relieves urinary symptoms. Men may try it hoping to relieve common symptoms of PCOS such as:
● You have difficulty starting to urinate
● You urinate very often throughout the day
● Decreased urine flow
● Immediate need to urinate
It can also help you not wake up at night to go to the bathroom and feel like you still have to urinate following you just went.
For men who have had success with saw palmetto, it may take regarding 4 to 6 weeks to see results.
Supplements that show promise
Other supplements show promising signs of helping in studies so far, but there is less research on them than the more common options.
Pumpkin seeds: These and pumpkin seed oil extract seem to help BPH symptoms and may shrink the size of the prostate. It may also be helpful when used in conjunction with other supplements such as saw palmetto.
Nettle: Nettle root can help you have a better flow of urine and not have to wake up several times during the night to urinate. It is sometimes used along with other supplements to treat the symptoms of BPH.
Too early to tell
Then there are the supplements where it is too early to know if they are helpful. Early studies look good, but doctors need a lot more data on them.
Some of these include:
● Aqueous garlic (garlic extract in water)
● Linseed lignan extract
● Milk thistle
● Cranberry powder, dried
● Quercetin (found in apples, tea and red grapes)
● red clover
● Selenium
Combinations
A combination of two types of medication may be more effective at treating symptoms than either medication alone.
The following drug combinations may be effective:
● alpha blockers and antimuscarinics, which help manage overactive bladder
● dutasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitor) and tamsulosin (alpha inhibitor)
● finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitor) and doxazosin (alpha inhibitor)
Does everyone with benign prostatic hyperplasia need medication?
A mildly enlarged prostate that does not cause significant symptoms may not need treatment. In these cases, he may need to see a urologist for regular checkups and only need treatment if symptoms become problematic.
summarizing
The doctor will help you if you have an enlarged prostate to decide what is the most appropriate treatment for the condition, depending on the severity of the condition, your general health and your preferences.
You may also need other treatments in addition to medication. Treatment may include a minimally invasive procedure performed by a urologist through a catheter, surgery to remove tissue from the prostate, or lifestyle adjustments to relieve symptoms and promote good prostate health in general.
Source: The Best Prostate Medicine
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#science #prostate #medications
