Question: My husband takes Flomax for an enlarged prostate, and our sex life has changed dramatically since he started taking it. Is there a nutritional approach to his prostate problem?

Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

The prostate gland is an endocrine gland located near the rectum and the urethra. As a man ages, the prostate can enlarge and impinge on the urethra causing problems with urinary flow. Men with prostate problems will often complain of urinary frequency, difficulty in starting urination, and an inability to empty the bladder.

Conventional medicine’s approach to these problems are to initially prescribe drug therapies. Flomax works by binding to specific receptors in the bladder neck which causes the smooth muscle of the bladder to relax. This ultimately results in a lowered resistance to urinary flow and an increased ability to empty the bladder.

As with all medications that block important receptors, there are adverse effects of Flomax including altering sexual function. What options are there beside medication? If the prostate is severely enlarged, surgery may be warranted. A TURP procedure can open up the urethra, which can improve urine flow.

My experience has shown that taking the proper nutrients can improve prostate function and minimize the progression of prostatic enlargement. These nutrients include pomegranate extract, plant sterols, boswelia, pygeum africanum, pumpkin seed, flower pollen, and hydrangea root powder.

Eating a diet free of refined food supplies the body with nutrients that support prostate function. I have also formulated a product called Prostate Revive that has been helpful for many men.