If the symptoms are considered to be mild, doctors may suggest only regular checkups to watch for any changing or early problems. Studies have shown that in as many as one-third of all mild cases of BPH symptoms clear up without addressing the condition.
Options if symptoms persist include:
Medication
- Alpha-blockers such as finasteride and dutasteride inhibit production of the hormone involved in prostate enlargement. In some men, finasteride may shrink the prostate.
Non-Surgical Invasive Treatments
- Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT): A catheter is used to send computer-regulated microwaves that heat and destroy selected excess of prostate tissue.
- Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA): Two small needles are pushed into the prostate to burn away well-defined portions of the enlarged prostate by using low-level radiofrequency energy.
Surgery
- Transurethral Surgical Resection of the Prostate (TURP): Used 90% of the time, TURP procedure involves inserting an instrument through the penis to remove any obstructing tissue blocking the urethra (urinary passage).
- Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP): Instead of removing tissues like TURP, TUIP involves the use of an electrical knife or laser to create small cuts in the bladder neck to widen the urethra. This reduces the pressure on the urethra and allows urine to flow more freely.
- Open Prostatectomy: When the prostate gland is severely enlarged, an open prostatectomy is performed. The inner portion of the prostate is removed through an open incision in the lower abdomen.
Complications of a surgery may include infection, pneumonia, blood clots, excessive bleeding, impotence, and retrograde ejaculation (semen traveling backward into the bladder during orgasm).
Alternative Methods to Address the Symptoms of BPH by Promoting Prostate Health
- Zinc may play an important role in maintaining prostate health (60mg a day).
- Beta Sitosterol (60-130mg a day) may help address the symptoms of BPH.
- Pumpkin Seed promotes prostate health.
- Nettle root has anti-inflammatory action, which may help increases urine flow and volume.
- Saw palmetto (160mg twice a day) has been shown to improve BPH symptoms in some clinical trials but was inconclusive in other studies.
- Selenium may provide antioxidant protection of the prostate.