What are the latest treatments for an enlarged prostate? The latest treatments for an enlarged prostate may help reduce prostate size or reduce symptoms. Treatments include water vapor thermal therapy, prostatic urethral lift, and prostate artery embolization.
TURP is the most effective treatment for most cases of BPH. However, in adults 65 and older, medications and minimally invasive treatments are preferable.
Rezūm therapy is a new minimally invasive treatment for benign prostate enlargement. Rezūm therapy uses the thermal energy from water vapour to ablate prostate tissue, resulting in a reduction in the size of the prostate.
Alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or terazosin (Hytrin), which relax muscle tissue. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar), which shrink the prostate. A combination of the two, which, when used long-term, may help your symptoms more than either medicine alone.
Aquablation therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for BPH that uses a precisely-delivered stream of water to reduce the size of the prostate. It's a long-lasting, safe, and effective treatment for BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms, and it can be performed on prostates of any shape or size.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
These medicines shrink the prostate. They do this by preventing hormone changes that cause the prostate to grow. Examples include finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart).
All men with BPH should avoid medicines that can worsen symptoms or cause urinary retention. These include certain antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine [Benadryl]) and decongestants (eg, pseudoephedrine, found in some cold medicines).
Can an Enlarged Prostate Be Cured? For most patients, BPH (enlarged prostate) is curable. Some people see a significant reduction in symptoms with medication alone. If medicine does not work, or your prostate is too large, surgery will often remove enough of the prostate to provide you with relief.
Laser surgery.
With this surgery, a urologist uses a high-energy laser to destroy prostate tissue. The urologist uses a cystoscope to pass a laser fiber through the urethra into the prostate. The laser destroys the enlarged tissue.
What is UroLift? The UroLift System is a straightforward procedure that utilizes tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra. There is no cutting, heating or removal of prostate tissue.
Rezum is a procedure that shrinks an enlarged prostate by heating it with short bursts of steam. It avoids the need for longer, more complicated surgery, with the operation taking around 20 minutes.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used to treat larger prostate glands. They shrink the prostate gland if it's enlarged. Finasteride and dutasteride are the two 5-alpha reductase inhibitors available.
BPH isn't life-threatening, so you won't need treatment unless symptoms are bothering you.
Key points to remember
Surgery can help if your enlarged prostate is causing serious problems—such as kidney problems or repeated urinary tract infections—or if medicines haven't helped. The most important thing in deciding whether to have surgery is how much the symptoms bother you. Surgery works well for most men.
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.
HoLEP (Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for men with any degree of prostate enlargement who have urinary symptoms, and men who are suffering from retention of urine, repeated urine infections or bleeding due to their enlarged prostate.
Normal prostate size
At birth, the prostate gland is about the size of a pea and continues to grow until the age of 20, when it weighs 15-20g. During the age of 30-45, prostate mass remained stable at 20g. The normal prostate size is: 4cm wide, 3cm long, and 2cm anterior and posterior diameter.
What are the dangers of an untreated enlarged prostate? If left untreated, the enlargement of your prostate gland leads to your urethra becoming blocked. Your symptoms will become more severe, and in time, you may develop serious conditions that require medical intervention, including: Complete blockage of the urethra.
Citrus: Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are all high in vitamin C, which may help to protect the prostate gland. Onions and garlic: One study found that men with BPH tended to eat less garlic and onions that men without BPH.
Research on black coffee and prostate cancer has shown that men who consumed six or more cups of coffee per day had a nearly 20% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The protective benefit is even higher for more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, with a 60% lower risk.
Drink tea. Both green tea and hibiscus tea are among the top drinks for prostate health. Both types of tea contain potent antioxidants. Studies show that green tea can help prevent prostate cancer from forming and may also slow the growth of aggressive prostate cancer.