Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. But what does that mean for you or the man in your life? Well, an enlarged prostate occurs when the prostate grows against the bladder and urethra, causing the need for frequent urination. Conventional enlarged prostate treatment may include medications, while natural treatment approach focuses on lifestyle changes to help improve symptoms. (1)
Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty postponing urination
- Straining when urinating
- Weaker urine flow and taking longer to finish urinating
- Dripping and leaking after urination
- Feeling like the bladder is not empty after urinating
Enlarged Prostate Causes
- Aging: The prostate begins to slowly grow again around the age of 25. Prostate growth is different in every man. (2)
- Changes in male sex hormones during puberty: The changes in male sex hormones that occur as part of the aging process play a key role in prostate enlargement.
- A family history of enlarged prostate: Men with a family history of enlarged prostate are at an increased risk of developing signs and symptoms of the condition.
Enlarged Prostate Treatment
1. Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Certain lifestyle changes can help prevent enlarged prostate causes or help with symptoms. In fact, changes may be necessary to reduce your risk of developing an enlarged prostate or to help manage symptoms. (3) Therefore, consider these following recommendations:- Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Limit drinking fluids in the evening
- Try to urinate at least once every three hours
- Engage in physical activity regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Increase your intake of healthy fats
2. Pelvic Floor Training
Enlarged prostate treatment may include pelvic floor training or kegel exercises. These exercises can help strengthen the pelvic diaphragm muscles and improve urine loss for men, when it's involuntary or abnormal due to an enlarged prostate. By contracting then releasing the muscle, you are providing the bladder with additional support. To start, practice pelvic floor training 3-5 times each day as an enlarged prostate treatment. (4)3. Herbal Supplements
Certain herbal supplements can help manage symptoms of enlarged prostate. They include:- Saw Palmetto: Saw palmetto can be used as a remedy for urinary dysfunction, a common symptom of an enlarged prostate. Studies have shown that saw palmetto is a safe treatment for an overactive bladder. (5)
- Stinging Nettle Root: Research has shown that stinging nettle has hydrophobic constituents that can inhibit the membrane tissue activity of the prostate. This means the herb may help suppress prostate-cell growth and metabolism to act as a remedy for an enlarged prostate. (6)
- Pumpkin Seed Oil: According to a study published in Nutrition Research and Practice, pumpkin seed oil has the ability to reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate within three months. After six months, participants experienced a significantly improved rate of urinary flow. (7)
