Enlarged Prostate Medication: 5 Things Your Doctor Might Prescribe

An enlarged prostate affects many men as they age and treatment includes medication for symptoms. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

The prostate gland helps with the male reproductive system. As it begins to grow, usually for men in their 40s, urinary symptoms may occur because the gland is located beneath the bladder. Left untreated, an enlarged prostate can cause increasing discomfort because of difficulties urinating or frequent urges to urinate during the day and night.

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Treatment for mild to moderate symptoms is usually done through medication.

Here are five types of medication the doctor may advise for men with an enlarged prostate:

1. Alpha blockers relax muscle fibers in the prostate and bladder neck muscles so urination becomes easier, and the medication works relatively quickly. The prescribed drugs may include Uroxatral, Cardura, Flomax, Rapaflo, and Hytrin. Dizziness may be among the side effects, but also retrograde ejaculation, a harmless condition that causes semen to go back into the bladder, according to the Mayo Clinic.

2. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors help to shrink the prostate gland by preventing hormonal changes that cause an enlarged prostate. Proscar, Avodart, and Jalyn are often prescribed, according to WebMD. Retrograde ejaculation is a side effect.

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3. Combination therapy using alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors is prescribed if one of the medications alone has not been effective.

4. Cialis, normally prescribed for erectile dysfunction, may help in the treatment of an enlarged prostate, but the medication may be used when men experience both BPH and erectile dysfunction, says the Mayo Clinic.

5. Anticholinergics help with muscle relaxation in the bladder and urinary tract, but appear to be less effective than alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information under the National Institutes of Health. They have been prescribed to treat overactive bladders or incontinence, but the medication may be used for men experiencing one of these conditions along with an enlarged prostate.

If you're experiencing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, talk to your doctor about the best medications and treatment options for you.

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