Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age dependent condition that affects old men. The condition is associated with symptoms like frequency in urination, hesistancy, nocturia, weak urine stream and sexual dysfunction. There is thus, need for update of the medications of the disease. Most BPH patients use conventional methods that include drugs targeting 5-alpha reductase enzyme and invasive surgery. These conventional methods lead to severe side effects including erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia. People prefer to go for phytotherapy for the management of the condition to avoid these adverse effects. Finasteride, for example has been found to cause erectile disfunction unlike Serenoa repens whose side effects are infrequent and mild. This review provides information on conventional methods of alleviating the condition as well as phytotherapy options. Alternative medicine alleviate the symptoms of BPH but have less severe or no side effects.
Highlights
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive noncancerous enlargement of the epithelial cells and smooth muscle of the prostate gland accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms [1]
The two main classes of conventional therapeutic agents used to manage BPH are the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) and the alpha blockers [7]. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors act by inhibiting conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the main sex hormone in prostate cells and mediator of BPH progression [6]
A long term combination therapy with finasteride and doxazosin help reduce the symptoms associated with BPH compared to using each drug alone [6]. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors lead to ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia these side effects should be monitored when using these drugs [11]. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors lower prostate specific antigen (PSA) by 50% after 6 months on therapy and they affect prostate cancer diagnosis [11]
Summary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive noncancerous enlargement of the epithelial cells and smooth muscle of the prostate gland accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms [1]. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors act by inhibiting conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the main sex hormone in prostate cells and mediator of BPH progression [6]. They slow prostate growth and initiate decrease in prostate size. Alpha blockers quickly improve urine flow but do not reduce the size of the prostate and they do not decrease the risk of future urinary retention and most patients will undergo BPH-related surgery [10]. Invasive Therapies (MITs) and TURPs are expensive and health care systems do not advice BPH patients to undergo these procedures These side effects have resulted to BPH patients turning to phytotherapy for the management of BPH. This review paper provides information on the bioactive compounds in these plants and how they contribute to BPH management
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
