Conventional Remedy: Benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland which occurs naturally as part of the ageing process.
Situated at the base of the penis, the prostate gland encircles the urethra, the tube that transports urine from the bladder. As the gland enlarges, it narrows this tube, making urination more difficult. The main symptoms of BPH are reduced flow, increased frequency of urination and the need to get up at night to pass water. The treatment options include surgery and medication. Some patients with milder symptoms opt to reduce their fluid intake in the evenings as a way of decreasing night-time symptoms.
Medications work by reducing the swelling of the gland or by relaxing the smooth muscle of the prostate itself. One type of medication also reduces blood pressure, which can sometimes be helpful if a sufferer is hypertensive. Care must be taken when introducing this type of drug, however, in case blood pressure drops suddenly.
Surgery involves "shelling out" the prostate gland using an instrument that is passed through the penis. Possible side-effects of this kind of surgery include incontinence and impotence. It is the only treatment option, however, if the enlarged prostate causes a complete blockage of urinary outflow.
Dr Muiris Houston
Alternative Remedy: AS with many such degenerative conditions, preventive steps are best and need to be taken early on. Men in their 40s should try to increase the amount of oily fish they eat or consider taking fish oil supplements. The essential fatty acids these contain are considered beneficial in preventing BPH. It is also known that the inclusion of pumpkin seeds in the diet on a regular basis can play a role in improving urinary flow. Pumpkin seeds are a traditional remedy both for this condition and for irritable bladder. Other foods that are high in zinc are also important.
The best-known herbal remedy for BPH is probably saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). In six-month studies conducted on men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH, this remedy significantly improved symptoms. A doubleblind, randomised equivalence study comparing the effects of saw palmetto extract with orthodox medication (alfuzosin) showed similar improvements in urinary flow rates and residual urinary volume in the two groups.
Another effective remedy for BPH is the root of the stinging nettle. Using this, similar improvements were found in lower urinary tract symptoms to those achieved with saw palmetto extract. Other traditional remedies for BPH include horsetail and golden rod herbs. While these herbs can improve urinary symptoms and are also used for irritable bladder symptoms, they do not appear to effect a reduction in the size of the prostate, though they can prevent further increase if taken regularly. Trials of treatments are usually conducted over a long period of time as the results of taking herbal medicine are often not clear until after 20 weeks. If you suffer with this condition, and would like to try herbal medicine, you should consult a trained herbal practitioner.
Medical herbalist Helen McCormack
The Association of Medical Herbalists can be contacted on tel: 091-638183.