Alternative Therapy For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease that affects men and those born male. BPH causes symptoms that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Treatment for BPH can reduce its severity and help you better manage your condition.
Your doctor assesses your prostate gland by performing either a digital rectal examination (DRE) or prostate ultrasound to measure how enlarged it is. You may also undergo urinalysis to screen for hematuria and urinary tract infections; this test is especially valuable if you have hematuria as it allows your doctor to check for signs of bladder or prostate cancer.
Your doctor will also inquire about your urinary habits and current symptoms to determine the most suitable treatment option. If your PSA level is elevated or if nocturia is frequent, they may prescribe medicines that alleviate these issues.
Treatments for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) include alpha-adrenergic blockers and androgen inhibitors. These medications work by relaxing the prostatic smooth muscle, decreasing swollen prostate tissue and relieving urinary obstruction. Plus, these drugs may lower blood pressure too!
Interstitial laser therapy may be an option for some men. It destroys extra prostate tissue and shrinks the gland, often providing immediate symptom relief with less risk of side effects than other surgical options.
Transurethral microwave therapy utilizes heat from microwaves to shrink the prostate gland and relieve symptoms associated with it. It’s best suited for men with mild-to-moderate prostate enlargement and related signs or symptoms.
This procedure uses a catheter that’s passed through your urethra to reach the prostate gland. A special electrode is then inserted into the urethra, emitting microwave energy which breaks down any excess prostate tissue.
Your doctor may suggest trying a transurethral needle ablation as well. In this procedure, radio waves are passed through thin needles in your prostate gland to heat up any part of it that’s blocking urine flow.
These techniques are less invasive than surgery and usually done as an outpatient, so you can resume your regular activities right away. Unfortunately, these treatments have not been studied long enough to determine if there are any long-term side effects or complications.
Alternative therapies for benign prostate hypertrophy are becoming more and more popular. While they can be less invasive than surgery and with fewer side effects, their effectiveness hasn’t been fully studied yet.
These treatments may be effective for relieving symptoms of BPH and are more cost-effective than other options. However, they might not be as successful at relieving swollen prostate tissue or urinary retention, which may cause lower back pain, bowel issues or bladder discomfort.
Your doctor may suggest other therapies, such as nonsurgical techniques like water vapor therapy or ablative techniques that vaporize overgrown prostate tissue to increase urine flow. These techniques are especially useful for men who cannot undergo certain surgical procedures due to taking blood-thinning medications.
