There is no single treatment for BPH. There are many factors to take into consideration, including your symptoms and health, the size of your prostate, and your goals. Some men want to avoid surgery or relieve symptoms quickly.

Medications

For men with mild to moderate symptoms, medications are often the first step as they offer a convenient starting point. They don’t cure BPH, but they can improve urinary discomfort.

Alpha-blockers relax the tight muscles around the prostate and at the bladder opening, making it easier for urine to pass through. They usually have a quick effect, and many men notice relief within a few days. Examples include:

• Tamsulosin (Flomax)
• Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
• Doxazosin (Cardura)

Possible side effects include dizziness or fatigue, especially when first starting the medication.

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are medications that work differently. Instead of relaxing muscle, they shrink the prostate by blocking the hormone that drives prostate growth.
Examples include:

• Finasteride (Proscar)
• Dutasteride (Avodart)

Because they change the size of the gland, they take a while to work, typically 3 to 6 months, but their benefits may last for a longer time.

Sometimes, both types of medication are used together for added benefit.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

If medications don’t offer enough relief or cause side effects, doctors may suggest minimally invasive therapies. These are usually office-based treatments. They work by opening the urethra, allowing urine to flow more freely.

UroLift

UroLift lifts and holds enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra using tiny permanent implants. Recovery is fast since no tissue is cut or taken away. Sexual function is often preserved. Many men see improvement in just a few days.

Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy

Rezūm uses controlled bursts of steam to shrink excess prostate tissue. The body gradually reabsorbs this tissue after treatment. No incisions or stitches are required. While some temporary urinary irritation is expected, most men go on to experience lasting relief from their symptoms.

Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE)

PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that helps shrink an enlarged prostate. A doctor blocks the small blood vessels that supply the prostate, which makes the gland slowly get smaller and reduces pressure on the urethra. Most men have less urinary trouble as the prostate shrinks over time.

GreenLight™ Laser Therapy

GreenLight™ Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a targeted laser to vaporize overgrown prostate tissue and quickly restore urine flow. Most men experience fast symptom relief.