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Will BPH go away?

While it's difficult to completely reverse an enlarged prostate, there are several treatments that can relieve symptoms, reduce the size of the prostate and help restore normal urine flow. In fact, many men with prostate enlargement are able to achieve a positive quality of life with non-surgical treatments.

hhma.org - Is an Enlarged Prostate Curable? - Tufts Medical Center Community Care

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Can an Enlarged Prostate Be Cured?

An enlarged prostate—also referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—is a common condition among men as they grow older. It is characterized by the natural enlargement of the prostate, a small gland situated between the bladder and penis. The urethra, or the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis, is surrounded by the prostate, and often becomes squeezed and compressed as a result of prostate enlargement. This can cause a weakened urine stream and related issues like a frequent urge to urinate and difficulty sleeping through the night. Prostate enlargement tends to come with age. While it’s difficult to completely reverse an enlarged prostate, there are several treatments that can relieve symptoms, reduce the size of the prostate and help restore normal urine flow. In fact, many men with prostate enlargement are able to achieve a positive quality of life with non-surgical treatments.

Enlarged Prostate Treatment Options

A “watchful waiting” approach is taken in many BPH cases. Some men find that their symptoms are mild and resolve without treatment. However, when symptoms are disruptive or don’t improve over time, one or more of the following treatment options may be recommended.

Medication

Medication is often the first step of enlarged prostate treatment. There are multiple drugs that can help reduce BPH symptoms, including:

5-alpha reductase inhibitors that help shrink the prostate

Alpha blockers that relax prostate muscle fibers and bladder neck muscles

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, which are primarily prescribed to address erectile dysfunction, may help increase urine flow

Lifestyle Changes

There are several lifestyle factors that can contribute to or worsen prostate enlargement. For example, living a sedentary lifestyle can increase urinary retention, so many physicians recommend for patients to engage in routine exercise. Other common recommendations include:

Limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption

Reducing liquid consumption before bedtime

Using the bathroom at scheduled times, even when the bladder is empty

Losing excess weight

Avoiding the use of decongestants and antihistamines, if possible

Surgery

If prostate enlargement symptoms are disruptive or don’t respond to conservative approaches, surgery may be recommended. There are many minimally invasive procedures and surgical therapies available that can provide significant relief to men with prostate enlargement.

Our Approach to Urology & Enlarged Prostate Treatment

At Tufts Medical Center Community Care, our patients benefit from the world-class expertise of seasoned urologists, internal medicine physicians and other experts who frequently treat prostate conditions. If you would like to speak with a specialist regarding your symptoms or prostate enlargement treatment options, contact our friendly staff today. We will be happy to schedule you an in-person appointment at one of our easily accessible locations throughout north suburban Boston, or you can consult with our professionals virtually through our convenient telemedicine services.

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What can falsely lower PSA?

Other drugs may lower PSA levels in patients, which may indicate a false-negative result. These include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Cholesterol-lowering statins, such as Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin)

drugs.com - What medications can increase PSA levels? - Drugs.com

Some medications can increase levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, falsely indicating the presence of prostate cancer.

Medications that may raise PSA levels include:

Betamethasone, a steroid prescribed to reduce inflammation

Testosterone replacement therapy, including Jatenzo, a testosterone capsule for men with certain forms of hypogonadism, a condition that occurs when your sex glands produce little or no sex hormones. Other drugs may lower PSA levels in patients, which may indicate a false-negative result. These include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen

Cholesterol-lowering statins, such as Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin)

High blood pressure drugs known as thiazide diuretics

Medications used to treat an enlarged prostate or male pattern baldness, such as Proscar and Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride). Researchers are still looking at how medications affect PSA levels in patients with and without prostate cancer and what this means for screening and PSA testing during cancer treatment.

More on high PSA levels

PSA is considered elevated if it is 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood or higher. About 25% of men who end up having a prostate biopsy because of increased PSA levels are diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. In addition to certain medications, noncancerous conditions may also cause increases in PSA, including:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate)

Urinary tract infections

Prostatitis (an inflamed prostate gland).

PSA can also be elevated after a prostate biopsy and prostate surgery.

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