Prostate Princess

Enlarged Prostate’s (BPH) Standard Medical Treatments

Standard Medical Treatments for the BPH

Once you know that you are dealing with BPH and not cancer, there are quite a few treatment options available to you. Anything from standard medical practices, that are reactive to the diagnosis, to alternative or integrative practices that actually aid in the prevention of BPH or delay the natural onset of symptoms due to the aging process

Listed below are summaries of the synthetic drugs routinely used in standard medical practice for symptoms of BPH:

Watchful waiting is the least invasive of the options available to men presenting mild symptoms of BPH and do not find them too bothersome. Watchful waiting avoids risks, adverse side effects, inconvenience, and costs of medical and surgical treatments.

It is during this time that most men look for alternative ways to handle their prostate issues; using supplements such as saw palmetto to treat their mild symptoms associated with BPH. Patients who choose natural supplements over prescription drugs do so to avoid the negative side effects of synthetic drugs.

Over the years, researchers have tried to find a way to shrink or at least stop the growth of the prostate without using surgery. The FDA has approved six drugs to relieve common symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. Keep in mind these are synthetic substances created in laboratories and as such, have added health risks and side effects.

Alpha-blockers are drugs originally used in the treatment of blood pressure. These work by relaxing the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck improving the flow of urine and reducing bladder outlet obstruction. While alpha-blockers may help relieve symptoms of BPH, they typically do not reduce the size of the prostate. The alpha-blockers commonly prescribed are:

• Tamsulosin – Flomax™
• Alfuzosin – Uroxatral™
• Terazosin – Hytrin™
• Doxazosin – Cardura™

Terazosin and Doxazosin were developed first to treat high blood pressure. Tamsulosin and Alfuzosin were developed specifically to treat BPH. These drugs work almost immediately. Side effects from these prescription drugs include headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue and difficulty breathing, erectile and ejaculation dysfunction.

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors are a second type of medication that partially shrinks the enlarged prostate by lowering the level of the major male hormone, DHT inside the prostate.

Drugs such as finasteride (Proscar™) and dutasteride (Avodart™) can reduce symptoms in some, but not all men with BPH. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are taken orally once a day. These drugs are approved by the FDA and work slowly, taking from six to 12 months before confirmation of their working for you. Regular visits to your doctor are needed to monitor the side effects that can include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and reduced semen released during ejaculation.

However, these drugs may reduce the chance of developing acute retention, or not being able to urinate at all; as well as reducing the need for prostate surgery in the future. This preventative benefit is greater for men with a larger prostate, who are willing to live with the negative side effects and lesser quality of life.

A study conducted in 2002 in which flavonoids and botanical approaches for prostate health were studied. Conclusive evidence shows phytotherapies, particularly isoflavones-containing supplements (saw palmetto, Pygeum africanum, curbicin and isoflavones-containing supplements), are likely to have an important role in the management of patient symptoms in the watchful-waiting stage of BPH.

Synthetic Drugs vs. Prescription Phytoceuticals for Symptomatic BPH

In Europe in 80% of the men positively diagnosed with symptomatic BPH, the standardized phytoceutical compound, Permixon is prescribed. The reported instances of negative or adverse sexual side effects associated with Permixon are nonexistant.

To gain further insight into the reality of sexual side effects caused by synthetic prescription drugs and standardized phytoceutical compounds a study was conducted comparing the influence on sexuality of Permixon (a lipido-sterolic extract of Serena repens, saw palmetto) with Tamsulosin and Finasteride (Flomax and Proscar). To qualify for this study, a specific validated questionnaire exploring a patient’s sexual functions were used.

Two thousand five hundred eleven (2511) patients were randomized into three groups: Permixon vs. Finasteride (545), Permixon vs. Tamsulosin (354) and Permixon 160mg vs. 320 mg. (1612).

At three months, there were no statistically significant differences between the three treatment groups. At six months, when compared with pretreatment data, there was a slight increase in sexual disorders in the Tamsulosin and Finasteride treated patients, while the patients in the Permixon group reported slight improvements.

Ejaculation disorders were the most frequently reported side effects in the Tamsulosin and Finasteride groups. This study demonstrated Permixon therapy has no negative impact in male sexual function when compared to standard medicines Tamsulosin and Finasteride.

Since sexual performance and satisfaction are a major component in the quality of life for a man, more patients are opting for natural treatments of their BPH symptoms. Research shows that most men report an increase in their sexual quality of life when taking natural supplements or Permixon at 320mg per day.

These are very important issues to consider then choosing your treatment options for BPH, these choices also affect the patients’ partners as well.

My next post will address the “minimally-invasive” surgical treatments conventional medicine practices and how proper nutrition and supplements can help you avoid these tortures, just wait til you read about the procedures and possibly see images of the tools used and how they are applied…..OUCH!

Til then, all the best to you…Prostate Princess