Men suffering from mild BPH symptoms may not require treatment, while those experiencing more severe symptoms likely will. Treatment options available to them could include medications and minimally invasive procedures performed through catheter. They could also consider surgery to remove tissue from their prostate gland.
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine [Benadryl] and decongestants such as pseudoephedrine found in some cold medicines may increase BPH symptoms by restricting urine flow, leading to decreased urine volume. If considering taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements for BPH symptoms, be sure to discuss it with your physician first.
1. Antihistamines
Some antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), interfere with the muscles required for urination. Meanwhile, decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) tighten muscles in the prostate and bladder neck that block urine flow resulting in symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly referred to as an enlarged prostate or erectile dysfunction.
Men with LUTS often find their symptoms improve with lifestyle adjustments such as drinking less liquids and taking over-the-counter medicines without decongestants and antihistamines, however if they persist they should visit their physician who may prescribe one or more drugs to address it.
Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are two main drug treatments for BPH. Alpha-blockers relax muscle in both the prostate and bladder to improve urine flow; unfortunately they won’t shrink your prostate but should greatly alleviate urination issues, including frequent or urgent need to urinate and weak flow of urine.
But when alpha blockers don’t help, doctors can also turn to 5-alpha-reductase inhibtors; these tend to be more effective against large prostates as they don’t restrict urine flow. Sometimes both types of drugs may be combined together for quicker relief.
Some men with mild LUTS also take over-the-counter supplements that have been shown to help, such as saw palmetto extract. Unfortunately, however, these products aren’t subject to as stringent regulation as medicines prescribed by their physicians and can vary in terms of quality, safety and effects; some men even report no improvement in symptoms at all after trying these herbs.
2. Benzodiazepines
BPH medications fall into two main categories. Each medication offers unique health benefits and side effects; in addition, each drug interacts differently with other medicines or health conditions you may have, making it important to discuss all available options with your healthcare provider and discuss how each may impact you personally.
Alpha blockers work by relaxing the muscles near the prostate and relieving pressure on the urethra, making urine flow more easily and alleviating pressure on urethra. Alpha blockers are often considered first line treatments for men suffering from BPH; examples include alfuzosin, doxazosin, silodosin and tamsulosin as alpha blockers; however these medications can raise your blood pressure so it’s essential to discuss risks with your healthcare provider if other problems exist such as cardiovascular or blood pressure issues exist.
Medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction, like Cialis (Tadalafil), targets smooth muscles of the bladder and prostate to ease symptoms associated with BPH. Furthermore, these drugs reduce urine production which facilitates easier urination. Desmopressin works to treat diabetes insipidus by decreasing urine production rates.
Men with mild BPH may find their symptoms improve on their own without needing medical intervention, through lifestyle changes such as avoiding fluids in the hours leading up to sleep or going out, using mild diuretics such as caffeine sparingly, and pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback – these treatments tend to be less invasive and present less long term health concerns than surgery.
3. Antidepressants
No longer is surgery the only treatment option for BPH; now there are multiple medications that may provide relief from its symptoms. Each class of drugs approaches this condition differently and offers its own set of health benefits and possible side effects – your doctor can provide advice about which one would work best for your situation; but it’s essential that you understand how each drug works before making a decision to take one.
Antidepressants are used to treat depression and other mental health conditions by altering the neurotransmitters in your brain that influence mood. Newer antidepressants tend not to worsen urination problems; however, older tricyclic antidepressants (also called tricyclics ) known as tricyclic antidepressants decrease bladder muscle contractions and may amplify lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH; examples of tricyclics include amoxapine (Asendin), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline (Tofranil) and doxepin (Sinequan).
Follow your doctor’s directions when taking prescribed medications, particularly antidepressants. Missed doses, altered dosage or abrupt cessation can cause serious withdrawal symptoms; your physician may need to gradually taper off antidepressant dosage before ceasing altogether – this process could take weeks or months.
Many over-the-counter complementary and alternative supplements, including saw palmetto, have been touted as treatments for BPH; however, none have been scientifically proven effective. Furthermore, these remedies may interact with certain prescription medicines like blood thinners or painkillers which could make the condition worse.
Avoid “home remedies,” as these don’t have to go through the same rigorous safety and quality inspections that pharmaceuticals are subject to. Instead, try lifestyle changes that could help manage BPH symptoms more effectively; such as cutting back on high-protein meals, caffeine and alcohol consumption and practicing pelvic floor muscle training such as biofeedback.
4. Decongestants
BPH symptoms include weak urine flow, urinary frequency and urgency to urinate as well as bladder pain. BPH can even interfere with sleep by causing nocturia (waking during the night to pass urine). BPH can range from mild, moderate or severe symptoms.
Men with mild symptoms often find relief through lifestyle adjustments and medications to alleviate or eliminate their symptoms. Medication comes in many forms including pills, liquids and injectables which each have their own set of health benefits, side effects and interactions with other health conditions.
Your doctor will use your medical history and physical exam to diagnose BPH. They may also inquire into family history as well as any medications (over-the-counter or otherwise), supplements, or vitamins you are currently taking; blood and urine tests will be performed to rule out other causes for your symptoms such as urethral stricture (tightness in the urethra), bladder stones or cancer.
Some medications may help alleviate voiding (peeing) symptoms by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. These drugs, known as alpha blockers, include terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), and silodosin (Rapaflo), without decreasing prostate size but improving urine flow.
Some supplements, like saw palmetto, can exacerbate BPH. To be on the safe side, it’s wise to consult your physician prior to taking any supplement and to get their opinion as this can give a greater insight into its functioning and potential risks. They may also assist you in choosing an individualized treatment plan which may include minimally invasive procedures to remove extra prostate tissue or surgery to shrink down the bladder size – the goal being improved quality of life and avoided complications.
5. Alcohol
Men with large prostate glands near their bladder may suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition leads to symptoms including urinary frequency, urgency and incomplete emptying of the bladder. For years it was thought that alcohol worsened BPH symptoms because alcohol affects bladder muscles directly – men who consume an excessive amount may find more difficulty controlling their bladder muscles leading to increased urinary frequency and urgency symptoms.
Alcohol intake has also been shown to lead to increased urine production, dehydration and irritation of the bladder lining. Furthermore, the breakdown products of alcohol can produce acetaldehyde that produces an irritating burning sensation in the bladder lining – hence why people with BPH must stay hydrated by drinking enough water each day.
Some research, including a meta-analysis involving 19 studies and 120,091 participants, has demonstrated that moderate alcohol consumption – defined as 36 grams per day for women — decreases the risk of incident BPH. While this may be helpful, it won’t help those already living with BPH who experience urinary symptoms from it.
Studies have demonstrated that finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used for both treating erectile dysfunction and BPH, reduces alcohol cravings. However, you should always follow your physician’s directions when taking medications such as Tadalafil treatment for BPH as doing so may interfere with blood flow and lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing and headaches.
