BPH medications:
Treatment without surgery

BPH Medications

BPH Treatment Without Surgery

How you decide to treat your enlarged prostate is an important decision that will impact your overall health and quality of life. Knowing all the options before you begin a treatment plan is imperative. If you want to avoid surgery, then medication may be a great option for you.

BPH medications have been the standard go-to for physicians and patients to treat BPH symptoms for decades. What you may not know is there are four types of BPH medications. Each drug will react differently with certain health conditions and other medications. This is why it is important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your urologist before deciding which BPH medication you want to take.

Alpha Blockers

Alpha blockers relax the prostate muscles. They address the irregular flow of urine, one of the most common symptoms of BPH. The risk of urinary tract infections may also be decreased using Alpha blockers. Alpha blockers will not shrink the prostate, nor will they fix the underlying causes that lead to an enlarged prostate.

Common generic and brand names for Alpha blockers include:

• Doxazosin (Cadura)
• Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)
• Tamsulosin (Flomax)

Risks and Benefits of Alpha Blockers

Alpha blockers can quickly address your BPH symptoms. However, these drugs work by lowering your blood pressure. Low blood pressure can cause headaches, dizziness, weakness, and sexual performance issues like difficulty ejaculating.

Your blood pressure should be checked before going on an Alpha blocker and monitored by your physician while you are taking it.

Alpha blockers can also lower cholesterol levels but there is some evidence this may cause long-term negative heart health effects.

Are Alpha Blockers for Me?

Alpha blockers may be an appropriate BPH medication for you depending on the severity of your BPH symptoms and overall health. If you need cataract surgery, take a beta blocker, or medicine for erectile dysfunction, you must be evaluated before taking an alpha blocker.

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

These work to block the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Blocking DHT can reduce the size of the prostate. Studies suggest the overproduction of DHT, a male hormone, may contribute to prostate enlargement. Common generic and brand name inhibitors include:

• Finasteride (Proscar)
• Dutasteride (Avodart)

Risks and Benefits

5-alpha reductase inhibitors are an effective treatment for reducing BPH symptoms, and when used properly, may decrease the need for surgery in the future. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors must be taken long-term to prevent symptoms from returning. Like all medications, these come with the risk of significant side effects including:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced sexual desire
• Headaches
• Mood changes

Are They for Me?

Older men or those with very large prostate glands are the most appropriate patient for this class of BPH medication. Your urologist will consider your overall health, current medications, and pre-existing health conditions to determine if 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are right for you.

Combination Therapy

Combination therapy is the use of both an alpha blocker and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor medications to treat BPH symptoms. This combination may be the most effective option to treat BPH symptoms and improve the quality of life in some patients.

Another form of combination therapy is the use of an alpha blocker with a drug class known as antimuscarinics. This combination can effectively treat BPH symptoms and issues related to an overactive bladder.

Risk and Benefits of Combination Therapy

While combination therapy is effective, negative side effects are more likely to occur. Doubling up on BPH medications along with existing health complications and medications can cause complicated issues. Combination therapy can lead to any of the side effects listed above, as well as:

• Reduced sexual desire
• Dizziness and weakness
• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficulty ejaculating
• Headaches
• And others

Is Combination Therapy for Me?

Combination therapy may be the right BPH treatment for you if you have a larger prostate, are not concerned about side effects, and want to avoid surgery.

Phytotherapies

Phytotherapies are herbal supplements that may be appealing for men wanting a natural BPH treatment. Phytotherapies are often sold online or over the counter. A quick internet search can yield endless information about them with claims they include plant extracts and other natural substances that can alleviate BPH symptoms.

There is no clinical research available on phytotherapies, and there is no guarantee that the supplements will contain the ingredients as advertised. Dietary supplements do not require FDA approval, which means they do not go through the same testing and safety measures as pharmaceuticals.

Risks and Benefits of Phytotherapies

There is no clinical research available to demonstrate that phytotherapies are beneficial. There is no way to know what you are exactly taking. Phytotherapies pose a high risk will no benefits. Taking any supplement without reviewing it with your physician can lead to long-term serious health complications.

Are Phytotherapies for me?

We cannot recommend phytotherapies for any patient suffering from BPH.

The Non-Surgical Solution: UroLift®

BPH mediations come with benefits but also serious side effects. However, surgery is not the only alternative to medication. UroLift® provides BPH sufferers with an alternative to avoid the complications of surgery and the side effects of medication.

The UroLift® procedure is a state-of-the-art BPH treatment done in Dr. Hatchett’s office. There is no cutting, burning, or scraping of tissue with the UroLift® procedure. The UroLift® procedure is:

• FDA-approved
• Minimally invasive
• Fast
• Safe for sexual health and function
• Easy to recover from

It consists of tiny implants that lift the prostate, effectively removing the pressure from the urethra. The UroLift® System offers a BPH treatment option with a high reward and low risk.

Even if symptoms are mild, it is important to get ahead of your BPH symptoms before they take control of your life. Schedule your free phone consultation with Dr. Hatchett today.