TLDR TURP is the best treatment for BPH, but some patients prefer medications like alpha-blockers and finasteride.
The document reviewed the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as of 1995, highlighting that transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was the gold standard but left 20% of patients unsatisfied. Medical treatments included alpha-blockers, which improved symptoms but did not reduce prostate size, and finasteride, which reduced prostate volume and improved symptoms but could cause decreased libido and impotence. Studies involving 1,645 patients showed finasteride's sustained benefits over 24 months, with ongoing research into combining therapies as alternatives to surgery.
187 citations,
January 1994 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.
73 citations,
January 1994 in “European Urology” Finasteride works better than Permixon in reducing dihydrotestosterone levels.
124 citations,
January 1993 in “The Prostate” Finasteride effectively inhibits 5α reductase, while plant extracts like Permixon and Bazoton don't show significant results.
1040 citations,
October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.
211 citations,
November 1990 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Finasteride effectively treats BPH, but needs more trials to understand potential.
1 citations,
June 2021 in “Singapore Medical Journal” Dutasteride and finasteride can help increase hair growth gene expression but need further improvement.
1 citations,
May 2017 in “Urologe A” Using tamsulosin and finasteride together for benign prostatic syndrome has increased and shows improvement in symptoms, but more reliable comparisons are needed.
4 citations,
April 2015 in “대한비뇨기종양학회지” For better medication adherence in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment, tamsulosin and finasteride should be packaged together and taken at the same time.
