Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH may include:
- lifestyle changes
- medications
- minimally invasive procedures
- surgery
A health care provider treats benign prostatic hyperplasia based on the severity of symptoms, how much the symptoms affect a man’s daily life, and a man’s preferences.
Men may not need treatment for a mildly enlarged prostate unless their symptoms are bothersome and affecting their quality of life. In these cases, instead of treatment, a urologist may recommend regular checkups. If benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms become bothersome or present a health risk, a urologist most often recommends treatment.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH Treatment Options
Lifestyle Changes
A health care provider may recommend lifestyle changes for men whose symptoms are mild or slightly bothersome. Lifestyle changes can include:
- reducing intake of liquids, particularly before going out in public or before periods of sleep
- avoiding or reducing intake of caffeinated beverages and alcohol
- monitoring the use of medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics
- training the bladder to hold more urine for longer periods
- exercising pelvic floor muscles
- preventing or treating constipation
Medications
A health care provider or urologist may prescribe medications that stop the growth of or shrink the prostate or reduce symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia:
- alpha blockers
- phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
- combination medications
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Researchers have developed a number of minimally invasive procedures that relieve benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms when medications prove ineffective.
Minimally invasive procedures can destroy enlarged prostate tissue or widen the urethra, which can help relieve blockage and urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Although destroying troublesome prostate tissue relieves many benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, tissue destruction does not cure benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Surgery
For long-term treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a urologist may recommend removing enlarged prostate tissue or making cuts in the prostate to widen the urethra.
Although removing troublesome prostate tissue relieves many benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, tissue removal does not cure benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Hope through Research
Adult Pediatric Urology in Omaha, NE
Our Clinical Research Department was developed to fulfill our mission to provide high-quality patient centered care. When existing treatments fail or significantly lower your quality of life we seek out new, safe methods that give you more options and make further advancements in the fields of urology and urogynecology.
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