How do alpha blockers work for bph

When drug treatment fails or when there are other problems with the prostate, such as frequent prostate infections, a doctor might recommend a prostatectomy. A prostatectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes all or a portion of the prostate.

In some people, this can alleviate symptoms with few or no side effects. However, a prostatectomy may cause incontinence , sexual dysfunction, and other health concerns. People should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of a prostatectomy, and talk to their doctors about which form of prostatectomy is likely to be the most effective. A less invasive treatment heats the prostate, often with a laser, and can slow prostate growth.

This procedure may require general anesthesia. Less frequently, a doctor may recommend the temporary or permanent use of a catheter. A catheter is a tube that goes through the urethra to help empty the bladder. It can help people whose prostates are very large and swollen.

A catheter can also be used as a temporary remedy when the prostate has swollen due to surgery or another medical procedure. Some herbal remedies may help with some symptoms of BPH. Those include:. It is essential to speak with a doctor before using any supplements. A person should also be aware that the United States Food and Drug Administration FDA do not monitor the effectiveness, quality, or safety of supplements.

A few lifestyle changes may improve symptoms, but they will not reverse BPH. Those remedies include:. Men should see a doctor if they suspect they have BPH, as some other disorders, including prostate cancer , might cause similar symptoms to BPH.

A person should see a doctor if they experience difficulty urinating, painful urination, or frequent urination. A person with BPH whose symptoms suddenly worsen should also see a doctor. BPH is a manageable condition but left untreated it can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. Not everyone responds to Flomax, so people who continue to experience strong urges to urinate or other urinary symptoms should discuss this with their doctors.

Another drug, a combination of multiple drugs, or the right lifestyle changes might improve symptoms. Dutasteride is a capsule medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate. Doctors may also prescribe it for hair loss. Learn more…. With combined therapy, both an alpha blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor are used together.

They may work better together than either drug does alone to stop BPH from getting worse. By taking two drugs, you may have more side effects than if you were taking just one. Some side effects may include dizziness, erectile dysfunction, weakness or lack of energy and a drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting or lying down to standing.

A urologist may add antimuscarinics for patients with overactive bladder symptoms. Overactive bladder is when the bladder muscles squeeze uncontrollably. It leads to frequent and urgent need to pass urine. It can lead to incontinence leaking. Antimuscarinics relax the bladder muscles. Phytotherapies are herbal treatments and are not recommended by health care providers. One popular herb is saw palmetto. The benefits of combination therapy are clear; however, side effects may be more likely.

The potential interactions of both BPH medications with other health issues and medications are more complicated with combination therapy.

Common side effects of combination therapy may include any of the issues from each drug class. If you have a larger prostate and potential side effects do not concern you, this may be an appropriate BPH treatment plan for you. Phytotherapies are herbal treatments that may appeal to those looking for natural BPH treatment options or BPH home remedies. There is a lot of information on the internet that promotes these as a solution. They are often sold online or as over-the-counter dietary supplements.

These may include various plant extracts as well as other substances that are promoted as alternatives to BPH medications. There is no reliable research to show that these treatments work. In addition, there is no guarantee that what is being sold contains any of the ingredients that are advertised.

Dietary supplements are classified as food, not medication. This means that they do not go through the same rigorous safety and quality inspections that pharmaceuticals must pass. The best research studies demonstrate that these BPH home remedies do not work.

Lower safety and testing standards mean that you do not know exactly what you are taking. These treatments carry risks without any potential benefits. In addition, they may result in patients prolonging urgent treatment that could result in long-term health complications. Now that you have explored BPH Medications and understand the risk and benefits of various treatment options, you may want to consider other solutions.

Surgery is not the only alternative to BPH medications. Additionally, research studies show that this procedure does not impact sexual function. All of these benefits can be achieved without the risk of side effects of BPH medications. This procedure is FDA-approved and is like nothing else that has ever been offered before to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It consists of a tiny implant that lifts the prostate and removes the pressure from the urethra.

Unlike other treatment solutions, there is a very high reward with very low risk.