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Prostate disease and the
pharmaceutical industry
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Current treatments
There is a range of options for the treatment of BPH, the
choice being dependent on several factors, including:
- the nature and severity of the symptoms (medicines are
mostly used in those with mild to moderate symptoms)
- how much the quality of life is affected
- how much the flow of urine is restricted and how much
is left in the bladder after urinating (retention), and
- the preferences of the individual.
If the symptoms are sufficiently mild, no active treatment
may be needed at all, but if they worsen, then medical intervention
may become necessary. The standard surgical method, trans-urethral
resection of the prostate (TURP), remains the preferred method
for many men and accounts for about 90 per cent of all prostate
operations. If an operation is not warranted or not wanted,
then medicines can provide a real alternative. It should be
noted that there may be a number of reasons why medicines
may not be suitable for individual people. If that is the
case, the doctor or urologist will explain the reasons and
make alternative recommendations.
If medicines are chosen, there are currently two types which
can be used, the alpha-blockers and the 5-alpha reductase
inhibitors.
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