How is Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BHP) treated?

BHP treatment requires self care, medications and surgery. Your doctor will tailor treatment depending on the age, the presentation, the severity of symptoms and associated complications. There are some medications that can decrease symptoms of BPH. These are -

1. Alpha blockers like doxazosin, prazosin and terazosin, relax the muscles around the neck of the bladder; thus reducing the pressure that blocks the flow of urine.
2. 5 alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride, block a natural hormone that makes the prostate gland enlarge and can reduce the size of the gland and relive urine flow. These drugs may take 3 to 6 months to act. Side effects may include sexual dysfunction.
3. The coincident presence of infection or inflammation can be treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs as required.
4. Surgery. We discuss surgery in the next section.