Are you tired of getting up several times a night to pee? Maybe your urine stream has gotten weaker, or you have trouble getting it started. These problems can make everyday life frustrating.
An enlarged prostate may be to blame. The good news is that medication can often ease your symptoms. If you’re looking into medication for BPH prostate problems, here’s what you should know about your options.
What Is BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) means your prostate has grown larger than normal. It’s not cancer, but it can cause trouble when you pee.
Your prostate sits just below your bladder. As it grows, it can squeeze the tube that carries urine out of your body.
Common symptoms include:
- A weak or slow urine stream
- Trouble starting to pee or a stream that stops and starts
- Feeling like your bladder isn’t empty
- Needing to pee more often or urgently
- Waking up at night to use the bathroom
Even a slightly enlarged prostate can cause symptoms. And a very large prostate doesn’t always cause problems.
What Medication Is Used for BPH?
The right medication depends on your symptoms, prostate size, and overall health. Some medications make it easier to pee, while others shrink your prostate over time.
How Do Alpha Blockers Treat BPH?
Alpha blockers relax muscles around your prostate and bladder so urine can flow more easily.
Common options include tamsulosin, alfuzosin, silodosin, doxazosin, and terazosin.
These medications often start working within days. They can improve your urine stream, but they won’t shrink your prostate.
Possible side effects include dizziness, low blood pressure when standing, and changes in ejaculation.
Can Medication Shrink an Enlarged Prostate?
Yes. Finasteride and dutasteride lower a hormone that causes your prostate to grow.
Over time, these medications can shrink your prostate and lower your risk of being unable to urinate or needing surgery.
The downside? They work slowly. You may need to take them for several months before noticing a difference.
Possible side effects include a lower sex drive, erection problems, and changes in ejaculation.
These medications also lower PSA levels, which can affect prostate cancer screening results. Make sure your doctor knows you’re taking them.
Can You Take Two BPH Medications Together?
Yes. Your urologist may prescribe an alpha blocker along with finasteride or dutasteride, especially if your prostate is large.
The alpha blocker offers faster relief while the second medication slowly shrinks your prostate.
Does Tadalafil Help With BPH?
Yes. Tadalafil (Cialis) treats erectile dysfunction, but a daily 5 mg dose can also ease BPH symptoms.
It may be a good option if you’re having trouble with both urination and erections.
Side effects can include headaches, flushing, indigestion and a stuffy nose.
IMPORTANT: Never take tadalafil with nitrate medications for chest pain. The combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
What Medications Help With Frequent Urination?
Sometimes your urine stream improves, but you still feel like you’re constantly running to the bathroom.
Your urologist may recommend medication that targets your bladder, such as:
- Solifenacin or tolterodine: These calm bladder muscles to reduce sudden urges to pee. Side effects may include dry mouth and constipation.
- Mirabegron: This relaxes your bladder so it can hold more urine. It can raise blood pressure in some people.
Your doctor may check how well your bladder empties before prescribing these medications. You may also take them with an alpha blocker.
What Happens if BPH Medication Doesn’t Work?
Medication works well for many men, but sometimes it isn’t enough.
Your urologist may recommend a procedure if your symptoms keep getting worse, side effects are too bothersome, or BPH causes other health problems.
If you suddenly can’t urinate at all, seek medical care right away.
Find Relief With Medication for BPH Prostate in Lake Barrington, IL
You don’t have to put up with a weak urine stream or constant bathroom trips.
At Comprehensive Urologic Care, we treat men with BPH in Lake Barrington, Elgin, and Crystal Lake. We’ll review your symptoms and help you find the right treatment, whether that’s medication or another option.
Take the first step toward fewer bathroom trips and better sleep. Schedule an appointment with Comprehensive Urologic Care to explore your treatment options.