Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland. It causes a number of symptoms including an increased urge to urinate and incomplete emptying of the bladder. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, prostate enlargement is a common effect of aging and most men can expect to experience some symptoms of BPH by age 60. If you suffer from BPH, your doctor may prescribe drugs to help shrink the prostate and relieve symptoms. In some cases, surgery may also be required. Pygeum is an herb sometimes used to alleviate BPH symptoms, although scientific evidence to show it is effective is limited. Get medical advice before using this herb to treat BPH.
Properties and Administration
Pygeum is extracted from from the bark of the African plum tree and is a traditional herbal remedy for BPH-associated urinary problems. The UMMC notes that it may help to increase urinary flow and reduce nighttime urination in men with BPH. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that it is sometimes used to increase sexual performance and reduce inflammation. Ask your doctor how much pygeum you should take to treat your symptoms. The UMMC recommends taking 75mg to 200mg per day, but this is only a guideline.
Efficacy
An analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 1,562 men with BPH, published in 2002 in the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews," found that pygeum may be a useful treatment option for men with lower urinary symptoms. However, the article's authors, T. Wilt and colleagues from the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research in Minnesota, add that the reviewed studies were small in size, were in short duration and used varied doses and preparations. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that additional larger studies are needed to determine how pygeum compares to standard treatments for BPH.
Safety
Data published in the December 2000 issue of the "American Journal of Medicine" shows that pygeum side effects are similar to placebo treatments, but Drugs.com notes that it may cause gastrointestinal upset ranging from nausea to severe stomach pain. Whether or not this herb interacts with other medicines is unclear. Ask your doctor for advice before treating BPH symptoms with pygeum.
Other Measures
The UMMC notes that making simple lifestyle changes may also help to alleviate BPH symptoms and make you feel better. Urinating as soon as you get the urge to do so, avoiding drinking large volumes of fluid all at once and halting your fluid intake at least two hours before bedtime may make you feel more comfortable. The UMMC also advises that you avoid using decongestants and antihistamines as these drugs may worsen your symptoms.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Pygeum
- PubMed.gov: Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia
- PubMed.gov: Pygeum africanum for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis
- Drugs.com: Pygeum
