Prostatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the prostate, the gland that produces the liquid component of semen. There are four types of prostatitis, two of which are caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms may vary according to the type of prostatitis you are suffering from. For example, acute bacterial prostatitis may cause chills, fever and lower back and genital pain, while other forms of this condition usually cause painful or incomplete urination. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial prostatitis, or your doctor may prescribe alpha blockers to relax the prostate muscles. The herb pygeum may help to alleviate prostatitis-associated urinary problems, although evidence to prove it works is limited.
Properties and Administration
Pygeum is an herb sourced from the bark of the African plum tree and is traditionally used to alleviate urinary tract symptoms associated the prostate condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy. It contains phytosterols, compounds that may help reduce inflammation and inhibit the production of male sex hormones called androgens. The University of Maryland suggests taking 75 mg to 200 mg per day, although this is only intended as a guideline. Ask your doctor about the right dose and treatment schedule for you.
Efficacy
Studies to evaluate pygeum's effectiveness as a prostatitis treatment are lacking; however, findings from an early study published in September 1991 in "Urological, Nephrological and Andrological Sciences" show that it may help to relieve urological problems associated with prostate conditions. An article published in the January 2011 issue of "Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology" acknowledges pygeum's potential as a prostatitis treatment, but adds that the mechanism by which is exerts its therapeutic effects is unknown.
Side Effects
RxList notes that pygeum is generally well tolerated but adds that it may cause side effects including nausea and abdominal pain. A review of clinical trials looking at the role of pygeum in the treatment of prostate conditions, published in the December 2000 issue of the "American Medical Journal," notes that adverse effects from this herb were similar to placebo. Nevertheless, it is important to get medical advice before using any herbal remedies.
Considerations
If you believe you are suffering from acute bacterial prostatitis, seek medical advice immediately and do not attempt to self-treat with herbs. This form of prostatitis is a serious condition that may require a short hospital stay and intravenous antimicrobial therapy. If you are already undergoing treatment for prostatitis, make sure you tell your doctor if you start using any herbs for your condition as they may interfere with other drugs you are taking.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Prostatitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Prostatitis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pygeum
- PubMed: Urological and Sexual Evaluation of Treatment of Benign Prostatic Disease Using Pygeum Africanum at High Doses
- PubMed: The Natural Compounds Atraric Acid and N-Butylbenzene-Sulfonamide as Antagonists of the Human Androgen Receptor and Inhibitors of Prostate Cancer Cell Growth
- RxList: Pygeum
