When there is benign enlargement of prostate gland which puts pressure on the urethra and blocks the flow of urine, in medical terms it is called Benign Prostate Hyperplasia or BPH. The enlargement of prostate gland results in various urinary issues including difficulty in urination, frequent urination, and a weak stream of urine. A prostate gland of more than 30cc usually indicates benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).
Homeopathy helps manage it with non-invasive and holistic treatment. Homeopathic medicines not only puts an end to any further increase in size of prostate gland, it also manages well the symptoms. If one follows the prescribed regimen, one will see remarkable improvement in symptoms, such as frequent urination, urge to urinate, interrupted urine stream, straining to urinate, and unsatisfactory urination. Early intervention helps restore normal urine flow, it also may reduce the prostate size, and prevent any further complications that may occur later in life.
Conventional vs Homeopathy Treatment
Conventional treatment includes medicines like finasteride and tamsulosin that helps manage the symptoms. However use of these medicines over a period of time may lead to side-effects like dizziness, less semen, problems with ejaculation, sexual weakness (erectile dysfunction), and decreased libido. Prolonged use of these medicines can make one dependent and upon discontinuation of these medicines, the symptoms would return, even with more intensity.
On the contrary, homeopathy uses harmless, mild, non-toxic, and non-habit-forming medicines that treat BPH naturally without any side-effects. One may discontinue homeopathic medicines as per the protocol after the desired outcome but only when a qualified homeopath advices one to do so.
Why choose Homeopathy?
1. Gentle, Non-habit forming medicines: Homoeopathic medicines are derived from natural substances and unlike the conventional medicines, are non-habit forming. Once desired results are achieved, one can slowly stop taking the medicines under physician’s guidance.
2. Sustainable Efficacy: Since the homoeopathic mode of treatment is to address the underlying cause for BPH, it helps prevent recurrence and any complications in the long-term.
Top 9 Homeopathic Medicines for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
The best nine homeopathic medicines to treat BPH are Sabal Serrulata, Conium Maculatum, Lycopodium Clavatum, Baryta Carb, Chimaphila Umbellata, Staphysagria, Thuja occidentalis, Clematis erecta and Sarsaprilla officinalis.
1. Sabal Serrulata – Top Medicine For BPH
Sabal Serrulata is one of the best medicines for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It is sourced from fresh berries of the plant saw palmetto and thus offers a natural remedy. It is used to manage almost any symptom of enlarged prostate and is known it give great clinical results in BPH cases. Symptoms like frequent desire to pass urine, especially at night, difficulty in the flow of urine initially, interrupted urination, dribbling urine (slow, intermittent trickle) are managed very well by using this medicines. Cystitis with prostatic hypertrophy is also one of the indications to use this medicine. Last but not the least, Sabal Serrulata effectively treats erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain erections firm enough for a sexual intercourse) from an enlarged prostate.
When to use Sabal Serrulata?
Frequency of urination increases along with difficulty in initiating the urine stream are the key reasons to use Sabal serrulata.
How to use Sabal Serrulata?
— It gives best results when used in the form of mother tincture (Q)
— 8 to 10 drops in half a cup of water two or three times a day depending on the intensity of symptoms
2. Conium Maculatum – For Irregular Urine Flow in BPH
Conium Maculatum is a very effective medicine in cases of interrupted flow of urine due to the enlarged prostate. Urine starts and stops several times before complete voiding. After passing urine, burning or pricking sensation may be felt in the urethra. There may be dribbling of urine.
When to use Conium Macalatum?
When there is interrupted flow of urine due to enlarged prostate
How to use Conium Macalatum?
— 30C potency twice a day for good results
— Potency may be increased depending on how intense the symptoms are
3. Lycopodium Clavatum – For Frequent Night Urination
Lycopodium Clavatum is a homoeopathic medicine prepared from plant Club Moss. It works wonders in cases of frequent urination due to BPH. Urine initiation takes time, and a lot of strain. Lycopodium is also a very beneficial medicine to manage erectile dysfunction linked with prostate issues.
When to use Lycopodium Clavatum?
— Frequent urination especially at night along with difficulty in initiating urination in BPH cases
— Its use is also recommended to manage erectile dysfunction associated with prostate enlargement
How to use Lycopodium Clavatum?
— Lycopodium 30C potency can be taken once or twice daily
— This medicine works well in both low and high potencies
— Begin with low potency during the initial days
4. Baryta Carb – For sudden urge to Urinate
This medicine effectively treats the problem of sudden urge to urinate, a common issue in BPH. Males who need this medicine often have a feeling of immediate need to urinate and there is inability to control it. Burning sensation while urinating and dribbling after passing urine is be present that itself leads to increased frequency of urination.
When to use Baryta Carb?
Patient faces a sudden urge to urinate and has to rush immediately to pass urine
How to use Bartya Carb?
— Baryta Carb is most effective in 30C potency
— Can be administered two times a day to control urge to urinate
5. Chimaphila Umbellata – When There is Difficulty In Starting Urination
Chimaphila Umbellata is administered when a person strains excessively to initiate the flow of urine. In extreme cases, the urine is forcefully passed by bending forward. Urine is scanty and may be foul-smelling. Scalding (burning sensation) while passing urine may also be present.
When to use Chimaphila Umbellata?
Excessive straining to initiate urination in cases of BPH
How to use Chimaphila Umbellata?
— It is best advised to be taken in mother tincture form
— Recommended dose is 5 to 7 drops in half a cup of water two times daily
6. Staphysagria – For Incomplete Emptying of Bladder
Staphysagria is a very effective remedy to manage cases of incomplete emptying of the urinary bladder. There is a sensation of urine trickling out of the urinary tract drop by drop. There is pressure felt on the bladder and an urge to pass urine more frequently. Burning sensation may be felt in the urethra during urination. Strangely, not a single drop comes out.
When to use Staphysagria?
Frequency of urination increases along with difficulty in initiating the urine stream are the key reasons to use Sabal serrulata.
How to use Staphysagria?
— It gives best results when used in the form of mother tincture (Q)
— 8 to 10 drops in half a cup of water two or three times a day depending on the intensity of symptoms
7. Thuja Occidentalis – For Weak and Forked Stream of Urine in BPH
Thuja occidentalis is the most effective medicine to manage symptoms of BPH associated with a weak, split or forked stream of urine. Also associated with it is a sensation of tickling after passing the urine. There is sharp pains accompanied by frequent urination. The desire to urinate may be quite sudden and urgent, and difficult to control. Urine is foul smelling and becomes turbid or cloudy.
When to use Thuja Occidentalis?
Best medicine in cases of BPH with weak, split and forked stream of urine
Sharp, cutting pains after urination, along with sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate
How to use Thuja Occidentalis?
— It works well in 30C potency
— Can be administered twice a day for good results
8. Clematis Erecta – For Interrupted Flow and Dribbling after urination
Clematis erecta is a natural homoeopathic medicine obtained from plant Virgin’s bower. This medicine is the best when the flow of urine is interruptive and there is tingling sensation in the urethra lasting for some time after urination. Urination is followed by dribbling with burning sensation at the tip of the penis. The urethra feels contracted, and urine passes drop by drop with sensation of incomplete emptying of bladder.
When to use Clematis Erecta?
It is helpful when a person experiences interrupted flow of urine and there is dribbling after urination.
How to use Clematis Erecta?
This medicines is recommended in 30C potency and can be administered two times a day.
9. Sarsaparilla Officinalis – For post urination problems
Sarsaparilla Officinalis is the best suited medicine if there is difficulty once you have passed the urine. The urine is scanty and may contain blood (hematuria). There is severe pain at the end of urination. Urine may dribble while sitting. There is tenderness in the lower abdomen; the stream of urine is thin and weak.
When to use Sarsaparilla Officinalis?
This medicine is best administered when there is burning sensation post-urination. There may be a possibility of a feeble urine stream and dribbling even while sitting.
How to use Sarsaparilla Officinalis?
It can be used in various potencies depending on the intensity of the problem. In BPH cases, Sarsaparilla Officinalis 30C is commonly recommended. It can be administered twice daily for good results.
What are the Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate?
1. Frequent urge to pass urine, especially at night
2. Urgent need to urinate
3. Strain when one begins to urinate
4. Weak urine stream
5. Dribbling after urination
6. Interrupted urination
7. Sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder
8. In case of a urinary tract infection, pain and burning while urinating
What causes Prostate Hyperplasia?
The exact cause of benign prostate hyperplasia is not yet known.
1. Age-related: There are more than 50 per cent chances for prostate gland enlargement between the age of 50 – 60 years.
2. Imbalance in male hormones as age advances: Men produce testosterone (male hormone) and a little amount of estrogen (female hormone). With advancing age, the active testosterone in blood declines leaving back relatively high estrogen levels. As per scientific studies, these hormonal changes may induce prostate cell growth by promoting the activity of certain substances. As per another theory, increased levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may increase the growth of prostate cells.
3. Family history: Males having a family history of BPH like in father or brother are more at risk to have problems from an enlarged prostate.
4. Obesity: It increases the risk of BPH.
5. Certain medical conditions: Diabetes and heart diseases may increase risk of BPH.
Complications of BPH
Certain complications can arise in cases of BPH but not in every case. These are as follows:
1. Urine retention – In some BPH cases, urine retention can occur. Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency. To drain urine in such cases, catheterization or even surgical intervention may be required as per doctor’s advice.
2. UTI (urinary tract infection) – In BPH cases due to incomplete emptying of bladder, the chances of UTI increase.
3. Bladder stones
4. Bladder or kidney damage
How to confirm it is BPH?
Clinical diagnosis of BPH can be made based on the symptoms and digital rectal examination (here the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum to check for size of prostate gland). The most common diagnostic test to confirm enlarged prostate is ultrasound of the prostate gland. Next PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is recommended. PSA is a blood test used as a tool for screening prostate cancer. The normal PSA value is below 4.0 ng/ml. If the PSA value is above normal then further tests are required to rule out its cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I have an urge for frequent urination at night. Could it be BPH?
Yes, it could be. Frequent urination at night is one of the indicating features of benign prostate hyperplasia. However, there are many other conditions that can cause frequent urination at night, like diabetes, urinary tract infection and overactive bladder. Therefore, detailed case evaluation and investigation must be carried out before a conclusion can be drawn.
2. Does a weak stream of urine mean prostate enlargement?
No. A weak urinary stream is one of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. However, urinary stricture may also lead to a weak urinary stream. So proper evaluation of the case and investigations are required for confirmation.
3. My USG shows post-voidal residual urine with enlarged prostate. What could it mean?
Residual urine refers to the urine remaining in the urinary bladder after urination. Residual urine from benign prostate hyperplasia shows incomplete emptying of the bladder due to obstructed urinary outflow. A post residual urine volume of less than 50ml is normal. In elderly people over 65 yrs of age, post-residual volume ranging between 50 ml – 100ml is normal. However, acute urinary retention, where a person is completely unable to pass urine, needs to be treated as a medical emergency.
4. What do the grades of BPH signify?
There are three grades of benign prostate hyperplasia and they show the level of progression of the disease. In BPH grade 1, there are no troubling symptoms and no significant obstruction. In BPH grade 2, bothersome symptoms appear, but there is no significant obstruction. In BPH grade 3, there is significant obstruction with post-residual urine volume of more than 100 ml.
5. Is benign prostate hyperplasia different from Prostatitis?
Yes, prostatitis and benign prostate hyperplasia are different conditions. Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. The main cause of prostatitis is a bacterial infection. On the other hand, benign prostate hyperplasia is the enlargement of the prostate gland, which is mainly age-related.
6. Why are the patients with BPH prone to UTI also?
In men with benign prostate hyperplasia, urine outflow is obstructed. This results in incomplete emptying of the urinary bladder. The urine that remains in the urinary bladder gives a chance to bacteria to grow which leads to urinary tract infection.
7. Are there any lifestyle changes that can help manage BPH?
Reducing fluid intake in the evenings, limiting coffee/tea/alcohol, avoiding holding urine, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight proves very helpful in managing the cases of BPH.
8. Does BPH affect sexual life also?
Some men could experience changes in sexual function such as loss of libido, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation due to BPH or due to its medications.
9. Can BPH also be the reason for prostate cancer?
No. BPH does not lead to prostate cancer, although both conditions can occur together.
10. Can BPH be treated with homeopathic medicines?
BPH can be managed effectively with homoeopathic medicines if taken accurately under the guidance of a qualified homoeopath. Treatment depends on intensity of the symptoms and changes to lifestyle upon realization that one has BPH.