Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Treatment

BPH treatment decisions are based on a patient's condition. Your physician will discuss the pros and cons of each option during your BPH treatment planning.

BPH patients for whom surgery is the most effective treatment benefit from Mayo Clinic's extensive expertise in urologic surgery. Mayo Clinic pioneered minimally invasive techniques to treat enlarged prostates, including laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and more recently, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). Read more about surgical treatments for BPH.

However, many men can be successfully treated for BPH through behavioral therapy and/or medications.

Behavioral Therapy

In some cases, BPH symptoms can be reduced and controlled by specific behavioral changes. Such changes may eliminate or delay the need for surgery. Behavioral changes found most helpful in controlling BPH symptoms include:

• Reducing fluid intake in the evening
• Eliminating bladder irritants from the diet, such as caffeine and alcohol
• Moderate, regular exercise
• Double voiding (empty the bladder, wait a few moments, and void again)
• Regular urination cycles

Medications

Mayo Clinic physicians often prescribe drugs and medications to control BPH for patients exhibiting moderate symptoms. The main categories of medications include:

• Alpha-blockers: These drugs ease urination by relaxing the muscles where the bladder narrows toward the urethra. Several forms of alpha-blockers have been approved for BPH treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: These drugs shrink the prostate gland but may only cause noticeable improvements in men with significantly enlarged prostates and may take months to be effective.
• Anticholinergics: These drugs are used to increase the bladder's capacity, inhibit involuntary contractions and delay the urge to urinate.

Some patients may respond better to a combination of several drugs rather than a single drug.

Mayo physicians are also investigating experimental therapies to shrink the prostate, such as injecting enzymes and/or other substances. Your physician will discuss the pros and cons of each option in detail during treatment planning.