Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

What are the treatments for the condition?

Prostatism is usually treated first with medicines called alpha blockers, such as doxazosin or terazosin. These drugs were first used to treat high blood pressure. Tamsulosin is the first alpha blocker developed specifically for BPH. These drugs relax the muscle in the prostate and at the bladder neck, which allows better urine flow.

The FDA has approved a fourth drug, finasteride, to treat BPH, but its action is different. It works to suppress testosterone, which can shrink the size of the prostate and improve symptoms. Some studies suggest that finasteride can shrink the prostate by about 30%. This may take several months, and often the improvement is not as dramatic as that seen with alpha blockers. But finasteride has been shown to reduce the long-term risk of a complete inability to urinate. And that can result in less need for surgery.

If medicine does not work, or cannot be taken, surgery is an option. The most common operation has been transurethral resection of the prostate, also called TURP. This involves passing a special tiny telescope, called an endoscope, through the urethra. The endoscope has an electrified loop, which is passed into the area of the prostate that surrounds the bladder neck. Under anesthesia, the electrified loop is used to scoop out tissue from the prostate and free the flow of urine. This surgery has a success rate of about 85%.

Because TURP is costly, inconvenient, and invasive, there has been great effort to find other ways that will relieve BPH symptoms. A variety of energy sources have been tried, including high-intensity sound waves, lasers, heat, and radio waves. Sometimes tubes called stents are placed in the urethra to hold it open. Some of these procedures require a small amount of anesthesia, and others require none at all. In general, these procedures are less risky than TURP but do not work as well. Many of these techniques are still being perfected.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Medicines used to treat BPH may all cause side effects, such as dizziness, low blood pressure, and impotence. Specific side effects depend on the drug used.

Dangerous complications after TURP are unusual. The most common side effect of TURP, which occurs in about 4% to 6% of people who have the procedure, is a need to place a urinary catheter for a short time after the operation. Some bleeding is normal after surgery, but it should clear up by the time the person goes home from the hospital. Drinking a lot of water will help flush out the bladder and speed healing. As with any surgery, there may be some temporary discomfort for a few weeks. This will decrease as time goes on.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Those treated with medicines often need treatment for life or until symptoms get bad enough to require surgery. Most people recover from TURP quickly. Blood in the urine gradually disappears over the first week or so. Symptoms of bladder blockage are usually relieved right away. The degree and speed of return to normal bladder function is often related to the severity of the condition and how long it existed before treatment began. In some cases, a second TURP or other prostate surgery may be needed later.

How is the condition monitored?

Those treated with medicines can often monitor their own symptoms at home. After TURP or prostate surgery, the person is seen from time to time by the healthcare provider and watched for a return of symptoms. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor right away.