If you’re a guy over fifty chances are your prostate has started to swell. A swollen prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is very common. Doctors aren’t entirely sure why it happens, but experts believe it has something to do with the normal fluctuation of sex hormones, such as testosterone, that happens as we age.
Some guys are never bothered by a swollen prostate. But most guys aren’t that lucky and they end up battling annoying symptoms that can disrupt their sleeping and waking hours.
Because of where it’s located when your prostate swells it can put pressure on your urethra, the tube that carries urine out of your body, and that can lead to some uncomfortable symptoms.
The most common symptoms of BPH are…
- Sudden urges to urinate that send you running for the bathroom
- A slow start once you reach the toilet
- A weak urine stream
- Dribbling when you’re done
- Feeling like your bladder is never fully empty
- Waking up in the middle of the night to go
Sound familiar? If so, there are a few things you should know. BPH does NOT increase your risk for prostate cancer. But because it can make fully emptying your bladder difficult it can lead to an increase in urinary tract infections and a higher risk for bladder stones. And there are a number of herbal remedies that could help relieve some of your most troublesome symptoms, improving flow and helping you to empty your bladder.
Get better flow and stop the bathroom dash
Following are four proven herbs that could help you soothe your own cranky prostate. Remember, not every remedy works for everyone. You may find one of them is more effective for you than another, so be patient.
1. Saw palmetto:
Saw palmetto has been soothing urinary symptoms for centuries. The herb has been in traditional medicine’s bag of tricks for hundreds or years. Research has shown that saw palmetto may shrink swollen prostate tissues helping to relieve urgency, waking up to pee at night, a weak stream and dribbling.
In a randomized placebo-controlled study, published in The Journal of Urology, saw palmetto shrunk swollen prostate tissues by over 30 percent in six weeks.2 And in another double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial a saw palmetto supplement led to significant improvements in urinary symptoms.3
Some larger studies haven’t shown the same positive results, but with countless men swearing by the benefits of saw palmetto it’s an herb worth considering if you’re struggling with a swollen prostate. But keep in mind you should allow four to six weeks to see significant results.
2. Pygeum:
Extracted from the bark of the African plum tree, pygeum has reportedly helped many men finally get a good night’s sleep or make it through an entire movie without a bathroom break. Like saw palmetto, this ancient remedy has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
A review published in The American Journal of Medicine that looked at 18 randomized controlled trials using pygeum to treat BPH concluded that the herb significantly improves urinary symptoms and flow measures.4 Men taking the supplement were more than twice as likely to report overall improvements in their symptoms. And the herb slashed nighttime peeing by 19 percent, improved bladder emptying by 24 percent and increased urine flow by 23 percent.
3. Beta-sitosterol:
You may have heard of beta-sitosterol before. The phytosterol has already shown promise as a remedy to help fight heart disease. But it turns out the plant extract may also help relieve some of the troubling symptoms of a swollen prostate.
A review of studies done on beta-sitosterol found that it improved men’s BPH symptoms, relieving urinary symptoms and improving flow.5 In the real world that may mean less treks to the restroom and finding it easier to empty your bladder.
4. Stinging nettle:
Stinging nettle is commonly used in Europe to treat BPH symptoms. Some men have found the herb helps improve their urine flow and reduces their nighttime trips to the toilet.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, published in the journal Urologe, a stinging nettle supplement improved urinary flow by 14 percent and decreased residual urine in the bladder by 40 to 53 percent in a group of men with BPH.6
These herbs have helped countless guys get their life back and one of them could turn out to be the key to controlling your BPH symptoms too. Try them as individual supplements or look for a comprehensive prostate formula that contains several to get more bang for your buck. It’s time to stop letting your prostate boss you around.
References:
1. “Benign prostatic hyperplasia: an overview,” Rev Urol. 2005;7 Suppl 9:S3-S14
2. “Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia,” J Urol. 2000 May;163(5):1451-6
3. “Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of saw palmetto in men with lower urinary tract symptoms,” Urology. 2001 Dec;58(6):960-4; discussion 964-5
4. “Pygeum africanum for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis,” The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 109, Issue 8, 1 December 2000, Pages 654–664
5. “Beta-sitosterols for benign prostatic hyperplasia,” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD001043
6. “Phytotherapie der benignen Prostatahyperplasie (BPH). Doppelblind Studie mit Extraktum Radicis Urticae,” Urologe [B],” 1987; 27: 223-6
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