Phytotherapeutical Alternatives for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Obesity

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a very common urinary disorder affecting middle-aged men, giving place to lower urinary tract symptoms, which are detrimental to the quality of life. Obesity increases the risk and severity of its symptoms requiring earlier medical interventions for its treatment. Current pharmacotherapy has serious adverse effects that can lead to discontinuation of the treatment. Phytotherapy is an alternative being used in European countries for sev- eral years; however, the evidence for its efficacy is contradictory and remains to be clearly defined. It is of transcendental importance to homogenize quality of plant extracts, as well as to test them in specific age groups to obtain evidence whether plant extracts alone or in combination have the potential to serve as the only therapy or as adjuncts with more tra- ditional treatments for BPH. This review also assesses the fact that no clinical trials have been performed in obese pa- tients, despite the direct link between obesity and prostate disease.