In certain circumstances, however, surgery can be the first-line treatment of BPH.
BPH cannot be cured but can effectively be managed with treatments.
The primary aim of BPH treatment is to alleviate LUTS and improve urinary flow.
Photo composite by Lecia Landis for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Less commonly, there are instances when prostate surgery may be a reasonable first-line option.
Who Treats BPH?
An enlarged prostate is typically treated by a specialist of the male reproductive and urinary tracts known as aurologist.
Medications
Several classes of drugs are commonly prescribed to people with BPH.
These may be used on their own (monotherapy) or with other drugs (combination therapy).
Alpha-blockersare the most common choice for the first-line treatment of BPH.
They can help prevent the progression of LUTS and/or reduce the need for prostate surgery.
These 5-ARIs work by blocking an enzyme calleddihydrotestosterone(DHT)that is responsible for prostate enlargement.
Among them are:
What Is Jalyn?
Jalyn is a fixed-dose combination drug containing 1.5 mg of dutasteride and 0.4 mg of tamsulosin.
It may also be considered when conservative treatments for urinary retention fail.
This includes treating people who want to avoid taking drugs daily or those who have experienced intolerable side effects.
Surgical options include:
Prostate gland surgery can cause side effects.
Some, like blood in urine, pain with urination, or difficulty urinating, are temporary.
BPH Therapies vs.
Surgery
The choice between medications or surgery for the treatment of BPH is a highly personal one.
While the drugs are less costly, they can delay surgical treatments.
This delay can increase the risk of postoperative complications once surgery is performed.
In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for BPH.
Speak with your urologist about any concerns you have about BPH treatments.
There may be alternatives to explore that are more appropriate for you as an individual.
If in doubt, do not hesitate to seek asecond opinionfrom a qualified specialist.
How Successful Is BPH Treatment?
Drug therapies for BPH vary in their effectiveness.
When used on their own, the drugs are only modestly effective.
Alternative options include:
There is some evidence of a benefit.
In the end, there is no standard approach to the surgical retreatment of BPH.
Surgery is generally advised when conservative treatments fail or complications (like recurrent UTIs) develop.
[Online ahead of print.]
