The prostate gland is a gland about the size of a walnut that surrounds the first part of urethra just below the urinary bladder in males. Its job is to secrete prostatic fluid. Prostatic fluid is a component of the semen and forms around 30% of the total semen. Prostate gland muscles also aid the expulsion of semen during ejaculation. The approximate weight of prostate gland ranges between 8-15 grams. The normal size of the adult prostate gland is about 15cc to 30cc. A prostate gland of more than 30cc usually indicates benign prostate hyperplasia. Benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH refers to a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It is also termed as benign enlargement of the prostate. The enlargement of the prostate gland blocks the urinary outflow and results in many urinary symptoms. Homeopathic medicines for prostate enlargement can potentially save a person from surgical intervention.
Homeopathic Medicines for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
1. Sabal Serrulata – Top Grade Medicine for BPH
Sabal Serrulata is one of the top grade medicines for benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP). There are many symptoms that guide the use of Sabal Serrulata. The first among them is difficulty and pain once you start urinating. The person also experiences a frequent desire to pass urine at night. Dribbling urine is another problem. Aching pain in the prostate that extends to the abdomen is another symptom indication for prescription of Sabal Serrulata. Retention of urine from prostate enlargement can also be treated well with medicine Sabal Serrulata. It is also the treatment for emission of prostatic fluid during stool or urination. Last but not least, Sabal Serrulata effectively treats the complaint of erectile dysfunction from an enlarged prostate.
2. Conium Maculatum – For Interrupted Urine Flow in BPH
Conium Maculatum is another extremely effective medicine for benign prostate hyperplasia. A major indication for use of Conium Maculatum is interrupted urine flow from enlarged prostate. Here the urine starts and stops several times before complete voiding. After passing urine, burning pain may be felt in the urethra.
3. Cantharis Vesicatoria and Sarsaparilla Officinalis – For Burning Pain while Passing Urine
Cantharis Vesicatoria and Sarsaparilla Officinalis are top rated medicines for burning pain while passing urine in BPH. Cantharis Vesicatoria is prescribed if the burning in urethra is felt before, during or after passing urine. There is also a constant desire to pass urine in such cases. In some cases, the scalding sensation is extreme, with passing of urine in drops. Sarsaparilla Officinalis is taken when there is severe burning pain at the conclusion of urination.
4. Lycopodium Clavatum – For Frequent Urination at Night
For frequent urination at night from benign prostate hyperplasia, Lycopodium Clavatum works wonders. Besides frequent urination at night due to enlarged prostate, another guiding feature for use of Lycopodium Clavatum is the need to wait to start urinating. In short, a person who needs Lycopodium Clavatum passes scanty urine during the daytime and suffers profuse urination at night.
5. Baryta Carb – For Dribbling Urine
Baryta Carb is known to effectively treat the problem of dribbling after urination in benign prostate hyperplasia cases. Another indication for using Baryta Carb in BPH is sudden urge to urinate, with the inability to retain urine. The urine may be scanty. Burning while passing urine may also be observed.
6. Clematis Erecta and Chimaphila Umbellata – When there is Difficulty in Initiating Urine
Clematis Erecta and Chimaphila Umbellata are very helpful in treating benign prostate hyperplasia. Clematis Erecta is indicated when there is difficulty in starting to urinate due to prostate enlargement. The person needs to strain hard before urine starts to flow. Intense burning may arise while passing the last drops of urine. Dribbling after urination may also be present in some cases. Chimaphila Umbellata is just as helpful where a person needs to strain hard to start passing urine. Urine is scanty and may also be offensive. Burning or scalding while passing urine may also be present. In extreme cases, the urine is passed with a lot of strain, with the body inclined forwards.
7. Thuja Occidentalis – For Urgency to Urinate
In case of marked urgency to urinate in benign prostate hyperplasia, Thuja Occidentalis is the most appropriate prescription. The urine stream is small. Frequent urge to pass urine may be present. Burning or cutting pain while urinating may be observed. Thuja Occidentalis also effectively treats involuntary urination at night.
8. Agnus Castus – For Sexual Complaints in BPH
Agnus Castus is a very well indicated medicine for treating sexual complaints in men from benign prostate hyperplasia. Agnus Castus can treat weak erections or complete loss of erections from prostate enlargement. Loss of sex drive in men who suffer BPH can also be treated well with Agnus Castus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does benign prostate hyperplasia occur?
The exact cause of benign prostate hyperplasia is not yet known. It is, however, age related. An imbalance in male hormones as age advances is thought to play a role in benign prostate hyperplasia.
2. What are its symptoms?
A few key symptoms can aid a clinical diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia. However, to get a confirmed diagnosis, medical investigation is necessary. The clinical symptoms of BHP include straining to begin urination, frequent urge to pass urine, weak urine stream, dribbling after urination, urgent need to urinate, interrupted urination and sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder. In case of a urinary tract infection, pain and burning while urinating is also felt.
3. Is benign prostate hyperplasia related to age?
Yes, benign prostate hyperplasia is an age related complaint in males. There are more than 50% chances for prostate gland enlargement between the age of 50 years and 60 years.
4. Can benign prostate hyperplasia cause sexual dysfunction?
Yes, benign prostate hyperplasia can lead to sexual complaints. Complaints of erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive are common in BHP.
5. I have frequent urination at night (nocturia), could it be due to BPH?
Yes, it could be. Frequent urination at night is one of the indicating features of benign prostate hyperplasia. But, there are many other conditions that can cause frequent urination at night as well; diabetes, urinary tract infection and overactive bladder, for example. Therefore, detailed case evaluation and investigation must be carried out before a conclusion can be drawn.
6. Does a weak urinary stream necessarily mean prostate enlargement?
No. A weak urinary stream is one of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. However, urinary stricture may also lead to a weak urinary stream.
7. Do we need to conduct tests to investigate suspected benign prostate hyperplasia?
Various tests need to be conducted. Investigations include an ultrasound of the prostate gland, transrectal ultrasound, cystoscopy, postresidual volume test, urinary flow test. A urine test is also conducted to rule out urinary infection. PSA (prostate specific antigen) is checked. If the PSA value is above normal, biopsy of prostate tissue needs to be done to rule out cancerous changes.
8. What is PSA and what does it signify?
PSA is prostate specific antigen. It is produced by prostate gland cells. PSA is a screening test to rule out prostate cancer in men. The normal PSA value is below 4.0 ng/mL. A raised PSA arouses suspicion of cancer of the prostate gland. Therefore, in such cases, a biopsy of prostatic tissue is recommended.
9. I have been advised surgery for BPH, can natural medicines help avoid it?
Homeopathy can work wonders in such cases and help avoid surgery. The conventional system of medicine considers benign prostate hyperplasia a case for surgical intervention. Homeopathy is very effective in treating benign prostate hyperplasia. In fact, most cases of mild to moderate enlargement of prostate gland respond exceedingly well to natural treatment.
10. My USG shows post voidal residual urine with enlarged prostate, what does that mean?
Residual urine refers to the urine remaining in the urinary bladder at the end of micturition. Residual urine from benign prostate hyperplasia shows incomplete emptying of the bladder due to obstructed urinary outflow. A post residual urine volume of less than 50ml is normal. In elderly people of over 65yrs of age, post residual volume ranging between 50 ml – 100ml is normal. However, acute urinary retention, where a person is completely unable to pass urine, needs to be treated as a medical emergency.
11. What are grades of BPH, what do they signify?
There are three grades of benign prostate hyperplasia and they show the level of progression of the disease. In BPH grade 1, there are no troublesome symptoms and no significant obstruction. In BPH grade 2, bothersome symptoms appear, but there is no significant obstruction. In BPH grade 3, there is significant obstruction and post residual urine volume of more than 100ml.
12. Is prostatitis different from benign prostate hyperplasia?
Yes, prostatitis and benign prostate hyperplasia are different conditions. Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. The main cause of prostatitis is bacterial infection. On the other hand, benign prostate hyperplasia is enlargement of the prostate gland, which is mainly age related.
13. Why are people with BPH vulnerable to urinary tract infections (UTI)?
In men with benign prostate hyperplasia, urine outflow is obstructed. This results in incomplete emptying of the urinary bladder. The urine that remain in the urinary bladder gives a chance for bacteria to grow and leads to urinary tract infection.
14. What lifestyle changes can I adapt to manage benign prostate hyperplasia?
Reducing daily fluid intake, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, limiting intake of fluids towards the evening and trying to void urine whenever the urge arises are some basic lifestyle patterns to adapt to be able to live more comfortably in spite of this condition. Going to void urin