Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

There are many treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, your health care provider would decide the right one. Mild cases may not need any treatment, while other cases may need minimally invasive procedures (surgery without anesthesia), and sometimes a combination would be needed.

The main treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia are

  • Active surveillance
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Surgery

Active Surveillance

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia can be monitored with regular visits to your urologist, along with an annual examination. Your healthcare provider would know best and also suggest helpful tips. Diet and exercise are often recommended in order to prevent or manage symptoms. This method is best for men with moderate symptoms or if the condition is not bothersome.

Prescription Drugs

1). Alpha-Blockers: are pills that relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder to reduce Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia symptoms, like improving urine flow. Do not take these if you plan to have cataract surgery soon.

2). 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: are pills that increase urine flow and also shrink the prostate by blocking DHT (a male hormone that plays a role in the growth of the prostate). 

3). Combined Therapy : uses both alpha blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, as they work better together. Older men with large prostates would be good candidates.

Less Invasive Surgery

This is a minimally invasive or less invasive surgery that requires tiny cuts or no cuts on the body. Often this procedure could be done as an outpatient, with recovery time being quicker, giving relief to symptoms, and also solves urine control problems. The probable candidates include men who have taken Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia medication which did not work well enough.

Prostatic Urethral Lift

This is a procedure to compress the enlarged prostate and move it out of the way. Small implants are delivered through a needle which help in reducing the symptoms. The same procedure can be repeated later if there is a need, they can go for other procedures. As this is the latest treatment, there are concerns that it may not be a curable treatment.

Text Credits: https://www.urologyhealth.org/