Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (cont.)
Is BPH always treated?
No. Treatment of BPH is usually reserved for men with significant
symptoms. Watchful waiting with medical monitoring once a year is
appropriate for most men with BPH.
How is BPH treated?
There are several different ways to treat BPH:
- Watchful waiting is often chosen by men who are not
bothered by symptoms of BPH. They have no treatment but get regular checkups and wait to see
whether or not the condition gets worse.
- Medical treatment of BPH is usually reserved for men who
have significant symptoms. The available drugs include
- alpha blockers relax the smooth muscles of the prostate, and the bladder neck, which helps to relieve urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate in BPH. Side effects can include headaches, fatigue, or lightheadedness. Commonly used alpha blockers in BPH include tamsulosin (Flomax), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and older medications such as terazosin (Hytrin) or doxazosin (Cardura).
These drugs generally will lead to improvement in symptoms within several weeks
and have no effect on prostate size; and
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors block the conversion of the male hormone testosterone into its active form in the prostate (DHT). The prostate enlargement in BPH is directly dependent on DHT, so these drugs lead to an approximate 25% reduction in prostate size over
six to 12 months. For this reason, improvement in urinary symptoms most commonly takes this long to occur. Examples of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors include Finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart). Side effects of finasteride may include declining interest in sex, problems getting an erection, and problems with ejaculation.
- Surgery or office procedures may also be used to treat BPH, most commonly in men who have not responded satisfactorily to medication or those who have more severe problems, such as a complete inability to urinate.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been used for the longest period of time. After the patient is given anesthesia, the doctor inserts a special instrument into the urethra through the penis. With the instrument, the doctor then shaves away part of the inner prostate to relieve the outflow of urine from the bladder.
- Laser procedures: A number of laser procedures are available, some of which can be performed in the doctor's office with minimal anesthesia. These procedures also involve the removal of obstructing prostate tissue. They are generally associated with less bleeding and quicker recovery than TURP but may not be as effective over the long term in some men.
- Microwave therapy: This procedure is generally performed in the office and involves the use of microwave energy delivered to the prostate to kill some of the cells leading eventually to shrinkage of the prostate.
Men should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of each of these
options. Prostate surgery has traditionally been seen as offering the
most benefits for BPH but unfortunately carries the most risks.
Next: Are there other noncancerous prostate problems? »
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