Other drugs used in benign prostatic hypertrophy

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), also calledprostate enlargement, is a noncancerous increase in size of theprostate gland.Symptoms may includefrequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, weak stream,inability to urinate, orloss of bladder control.Complications can includeurinary tract infections,bladder stones, andchronic kidney problems. The cause is unclear.Risk factors include a family history,obesity,type 2 diabetes, not enough exercise, anderectile dysfunction.Medications likepseudoephedrine,anticholinergics, andcalcium channel blockersmay worsen symptoms.The underlying mechanism involves the prostate pressing on theurethrathereby making it difficult to pass urine out of thebladder.Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms andexaminationafter ruling out other possible causes. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, a number of procedures, and surgery.In those with mild symptoms, weight loss, decreasingcaffeineintake, and exercise are recommended, although the quality of the evidence for exercise is low.In those with more significant symptoms, medications may includealpha blockerssuch asterazosinor5α-reductase inhibitorssuch asfinasteride.Surgical removal of part of the prostate may be carried out in those who do not improve with other measures.Some studies have suggested that certain plant extracts may help mitigate symptoms of BPH.Examples include saw palmetto (Serenoa repens),stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) root,beta-sitosterolfrom African star grass (Hypoxis rooperi), andpygeum(extracted from the bark ofPrunus africana).However,meta-analyseshave called these conclusions into question,highlighting methodological problems showing no difference from aplacebo, and lack of support from larger scale trials. As of 2019[update], about 94 million men aged 40 years and older are affected globally.BPH typically begins after the age of 40.Theprevalenceof clinically diagnosed BPH peaks at 24% in men aged 75–79 years.Based onautopsystudies, half of males aged 50 and over are affected, and this figure climbs to 80% after the age of 80.Althoughprostate specific antigenlevels may be elevated in males with BPH, the condition does not increase the risk ofprostate cancer.