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Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD

En Español (Spanish Version)

Treatment

Talking to Your Doctor

Living With BPH

Resource Guide

Treatment is not needed for BPH that is causing no or mild symptoms. Many men with BPH will need medical treatment at some time. The goal of treatment is to improve the flow of urine. This should prevent urine retention and to reduce the risk of urinary infections.

Medicine or surgery may be used to treat BPH. Medicine may be used to relax the bladder or adjust hormone to shrink the prostate. It may be the choice for less severe BPH. Surgery may be needed for more severe BPH. There are several methods to remove excess prostate tissue.

Treatment involves the following:

Medications

Surgery

Alternative and complementary therapies

REFERENCES:

American Urological Association (AUA) Practice Guidelines Committee. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/guidelines/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(2010-reviewed-and-validity-confirmed-2014). Accessed September 21, 2020.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph. Accessed September 21, 2020.

Pearson R, Williams PM. Common questions about the diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(11):769-774.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD Last Updated: 11/3/2020

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