Saw palmetto and finasteride in the treatment of category-iii prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
March 2005
in “Current Urology Reports”
TLDR Saw palmetto helps with nighttime urination and urine flow, similar to finasteride.
This document discusses the use of saw palmetto and finasteride in the treatment of category-III prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Saw palmetto has been extensively studied in the symptomatic relief of CP, but there is little clinically significant evidence of the effects of saw palmetto as a 5-a reductase inhibitor. A meta-analysis of 16 randomized, double-blind clinical trials involving 2939 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) revealed that saw palmetto was superior to placebo with regard to nocturia and peak urinary flow, and suggested similar effectiveness when compared with finasteride. Definitive guidelines for the role of phytotherapy and finasteride in CP/CPPS will be shaped by future larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and better regulation of the herbal products available to consumers.
View this study on link.springer.com →
Cited in this study
research A randomized placebo-controlled multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of finasteride for male chronic pelvic pain syndrome (category IIIA chronic nonbacterial prostatitis).
Finasteride may help some male chronic pelvic pain patients, but more research needed.
research A Prospective, 1-Year Trial Using Saw Palmetto Versus Finasteride in the Treatment of Category III Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Finasteride improves chronic pelvic pain, saw palmetto doesn't.
research Comparison of Finasteride (Proscar®) and Serenoa repens (Permixon®) in the Inhibition of 5-Alpha Reductase in Healthy Male Volunteers
Finasteride works better than Permixon in reducing dihydrotestosterone levels.
research Comparison of finasteride (proscar®), a 5α reductase inhibitor, and various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5α reductase inhibition
Finasteride effectively inhibits 5α reductase, while plant extracts like Permixon and Bazoton don't show significant results.
Related
research Saw palmetto and finasteride in the treatment of category-iii prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Saw palmetto helps with nighttime urination and urine flow, similar to finasteride.