How to Shrink Your Prostate: Home & Medical Treatments

Treating an Enlarged Prostate: Home and Medical Treatments

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. This condition can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including frequent urination and difficulty passing urine. Fortunately, there are a number of methods for treating BPH at home and with medical interventions.

Home Treatments

Depending on individual symptoms, a variety of home treatments may be recommended to reduce the size of the prostate, or to help reduce symptoms.

• Lifestyle Changes – Making changes to your diet, reducing stress, and avoiding certain medications may help reduce symptoms. Increased physical activity, such as walking, can help to reduce symptoms and reduce the size of the prostate.
• Herbal Remedies – There are a number of herbal remedies that can be taken to help reduce symptoms of BPH. Saw palmetto, pygeum, and stinging nettle are some of the most popular. It is important to spoke to a doctor before taking any herbal supplements, as some can interact with medications.
• Heat Therapy – Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to the lower abdominal area may help reduce symptoms associated with BPH.

Medical Treatments

If home treatments are not successful in reducing the size of the prostate or in alleviating symptoms, then a doctor may recommend a more invasive medical approach.

• Medication – Alpha blockers are often prescribed to relax the muscles of the bladder and urethra, and to improve urine flow. Other medications, such as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, can help reduce symptoms of BPH by shrinking the prostate.
• Surgery – Surgery, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), involves the partial removal of the enlarged prostate. There are a number of newer, minimally-invasive laser treatments that may also be used.

Treating an enlarged prostate can significantly improve quality of life, and help to reduce the risk of more serious conditions. It is important to speak to a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms associated with BPH.

Treatments for Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), affects over 50% of men aged 51 and older and is a common cause of frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and other urinary problems. Fortunately, there are a variety of medications and natural treatments available to help shrink your prostate and alleviate symptoms.

Home Treatments

Though you should check with your doctor for a comprehensive treatment for your individual health needs, there are certain natural home treatments you can try to improve your prostate health:

• Eat foods rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes and watermelon.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Eat fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Cut down on red meat and dairy products, which are known to aggravate BPH.
• Exercise regularly to improve circulation to the prostate area.
• Limit alcohol intake to preserve overall health.

Medical Treatments

There are several medical treatments available to treat prostate enlargement, depending on your health situation and symptoms. Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment option for you.

• Alpha-blocker medications reduce smooth muscle tension, allowing easier urination.
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors slow the growth of the gland and can reduce the size of the prostate.
• A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure to remove part of the prostate.
• Hormone therapy may be used to reduce prostate growth.
• Minimally invasive therapies that use lasers or microwaves to reduce prostate tissue can be used.
• In extreme cases where other treatments are ineffective, prostatectomy (surgery to remove the prostate) may be necessary.