1. Take Prostate Enlargement Medication
For controlling symptoms of an enlarged prostate, two classes of medication exist. The first is alpha blockers, which function by causing the muscles around the neck of the bladder to relax, easing urination. The three types of alpha blockers approved by the FDA are tamsulosin Flomax, doxazosin Cardura and terazosin Hytrin. Alpha blockers are effective in approximately 75 percent of men, with improvements usually occurring within several days. Possible side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, tiredness and impotence.
Finasteride, the second class of medication, works by actually shrinking the prostate gland, and tends to be most effective for men with a significantly enlarged prostate. Symptoms usually take longer to subside than with alpha blockers. Side effects of finasteride may include impotence, reduced libido and less semen released in ejaculation.
2. Try Herbal Alternatives
According to a number of studies, saw palmetto is a useful natural remedy for an enlarged prostate. Saw palmetto works by keeping testosterone from breaking down into a form that may precipitate the growth of prostate tissue.
Research conducted at the Department of Veterans found that when it comes to reducing the size of an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto is as effective as finasteride. Furthermore, there were far fewer side effects. It can take 1 to 3 months to see a difference. If no improvement is seen after 4 months, it is probably a good idea to try something else. If you choose to try this form of treatment, be sure to let your doctor know.
3. Use Heat Therapy
By passing heat through the urethra, doctors can sometimes reduce the size of an enlarged prostate. Types of heat therapy include microwave therapy, electrovaporization and laser therapy. All are typically performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthetic. Heat therapy usually provides relatively rapid results, and the recovery time is fairly short.
4. Consider Surgical Options
Since there are so many effective medicinal and alternative treatments, surgery is offered less frequently today. Nevertheless, in very serious cases of an enlarged prostate, surgery is still the most effective option over the long term. Available surgical procedures for an enlarged prostate include transurethral resection of the prostate, in which part of the prostate is removed to stop it from pinching the tube (urethra) that transports urine from the bladder through the penis, so urinating becomes easier. Transurethral incision of the prostate is a second option; in this procedure, special cutting instruments are inserted through the urethra to make one or two small cuts or grooves in the prostate gland where it meets the bladder. The cuts allow the urethra to expand, making it easier to urinate, and no prostate tissue is removed. Finally, there is open prostatectomy, the surgical removal of an enlarged, noncancerous prostate.
Since all of these procedures require hospitalization, patients need to take time off from work and restrict their normal activities during recovery. Side effects can arise from nerve or structural damage and infection, and may include impotence, loss of bladder control and ejaculation problems.
