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Dr. Green
There are a variety of effective treatment options available for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. A provider can explain the options and make recommendations based on the severity of symptoms, how much the symptoms affect daily life, and the patient's preferences. Dr. Jerman, can you tell us about some of the treatment options for BPH?
Dr. Jerman
Absolutely, Dr. Green. In mild cases of BPH, lifestyle changes may be enough to relieve symptoms. Lifestyle changes may include:
- Reducing liquid intake
- Avoiding or reducing caffeine and alcohol intake
- Avoiding or monitoring the use of certain medications, such as decongestants, antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics
- Training the bladder to hold more urine for longer periods
- Exercising pelvic floor muscles, and
- Preventing or treating constipation
When lifestyle changes don't effectively reduce symptoms, medications may be prescribed. Some medications stop the growth of or shrink the prostate, and others relax smooth muscle tissue in order to improve urine flow.
In cases where medications prove ineffective, BPH can be treated using outpatient procedures that reach the prostate through the urethra. These minimally invasive procedures include:
- Transurethral needle ablation
- Transurethral microwave thermotherapy
- High-intensity focused ultrasound
- Water-induced thermotherapy
- Transurethral electrovaporization, and
- Prostatic stent insertion
When medications or outpatient techniques cannot effectively treat a prostate condition, a provider may recommend surgery to remove enlarged prostate tissue. These surgical procedures include:
- Transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP
- Laser surgery
- Transurethral incision of the prostate, or TUIP, and
- Open prostatectomy