Natural Treatments for BPH
Natural treatments for BPH may combine a number of approaches including nutrition and supplements, exercise, lifestyle changes, hormone management and stress reduction. The purpose of natural treatments for BPH is to give the body and immune system the tools it needs to manage inflammation and control the hormonal actions that can cause excessive prostate growth.
You should also monitor your BPH symptoms to see if any activity, foods or drinks make those symptoms worse. Exposure to pesticides, toxins and additives in foods should also be minimized as much as possible. Caffeine and spicy foods can also irritate the prostate and make symptoms worse.
Supplements for BPH
Nutritional and herbal supplements have been shown to help relieve some of the symptoms of BPH and are one of the main natural treatments for BPH used in place of drugs and surgery.
Supplements that have been shown to be beneficial include: Vitamin D, Zinc, DIM, Saw Palmetto, Beta sitosterol, Pygeum africanum, Stinging Nettle Root, Rye pollen (cernilton), Quercetin, Curcumin and Green tea extract.
See also
Nutrition and Lifestyle
There are a number of lifestyle and dietary steps you can take to promote prostate health and help in the management of any symptoms of BPH.
 |
Maximize fruit and vegetable servings: Fruits and vegetables contain high levels of inflammation-fighting substances such as antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Several studies provide evidence that these foods—which are rich in potent phytonutrients—reduce the risk of developing BPH. (Kristel; Rohrmann; Schwarz) |
 |
Eat a low-fat diet: Research shows that men who followed a diet low in total fat and red meat had a lower risk of developing BPH. (Kristal) |
 |
Choose plant protein over animal protein: Plant protein gives you all the nutrients and health benefits needed for maximum prostate health. Diets rich in plant protein have been shown to reduce rates of cancer and prostate disease. Research also suggests that soy isoflavones can help prevent BPH (Ren), and that beans and lentils are associated with a reduced risk of BPH while poultry and eggs are associated with an increased risk. (Bravi) |
 |
Consume green tea: Green tea contains substances called catechins that travel throughout the body and take up residence in the prostate, where they can modulate the production and actions of hormones and may be useful in the treatment of BPH. (Liao) More on green tea and prostate health |
 |
Avoid foods and additives that are harmful to prostate health: Some foods, supplements, additives and nutrients are especially harmful to the prostate, including but not limited to meat, calcium, dairy foods, chondroitin, and foods high in sugar and fat. Read more on “Foods to Avoid” |
 |
Hydrate, but limit fluid intake late in the day: Staying hydrated by drinking pure water is essential for prostate health, but you also do not want to keep getting up at night. Do not consume large amounts of fluid at any one time, and do not drink anything after 7 PM. |
 |
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Numerous studies have shown a link between being overweight and having a high risk of BPH. (Moul; Parsons) Excess weight around the waist and hips is especially associated with a greater risk of BPH. |
 |
Exercise regularly. A recent review of 14 studies that evaluated the impact of exercise on BPH found strong evidence that exercise helps prevent the development of BPH. (Sea) A regular exercise program can also help prevent obesity, which is also a risk factor for BPH. (Parsons) Read more on exercise and prostate health |
 |
Lead a prostate friendly lifestyle. Smoking, sleep patterns, some medications and alcohol all affect your prostate. |
 |
Maintain hormone balance. Hormones play a role in enlargement of the prostate, thus it is important to try to maintain hormone balance to promote prostate health as a natural treatments for BPH. |
 |
Maintain a healthy sex life. Sex seems to be healthy for your prostate but can you have too much of a good thing? Read more about benefits of a healthy sex life |
 |
Avoid exposure to toxins. Stay away from chemicals and other substances that may increase the risk of developing BPH. An Australian study found that exposure to toxic metals at a non-substantial level increased the risk of BPH. (Fritschi) |
 |
Cut caffeine intake: Coffee, colas, some energy drinks, tea, and chocolate are likely caffeine sources and can irritate your prostate and worsen BPH symptoms. |
 |
Cut back on spicy and salty foods: These foods can make BPH symptoms worse. |
 |
Limit alcohol: A moderate amount of alcohol (1 to 2 drinks daily) is considered safe, but more than a moderate number of drinks can irritate the prostate and symptoms of BPH. |
 |
Avoid use of over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants: These can aggravate BPH symptoms. |
 |
Don’t hold it: Delaying urination can worsen BPH symptoms and even result in urinary tract infections. When you have to go, go. |
 |
If you have diabetes, keep it under control: High blood sugar levels and obesity, two characteristics of diabetes, are also risk factors for BPH. Therefore, if you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels under control. |
 |
Stay warm: The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and cold weather may be related to an increase in activity in the sympathetic nervous system when it is cold, which results in an increase in smooth muscle tone in the prostate and possible worsening of BPH symptoms. |
Experiment with natural therapies
Natural prevention and treatment approaches for BPH and prostate health can also include:
 |
Ayurvedic Medicine Ayurvedic healing is an ancient system based on the concept that disease is caused by an imbalance in the body and/or karmic disturbances such as having poor relationships or failing to fulfill your life’s purpose. Read more about ayurvedic medicine |
 |
Homeopathy Homeopathy is not supported by a lot of scientific data, however it has been used for several hundred years. Homeopathic treatments for prostate disorders include Sabal serrulat (also known as saw palmetto), Thuja,Bayta-carb, caladium, and carbonica. Read more about homeopathy |
 |
Prostate Massage Prostate massage is used to treat prostatitis, BPH, male infertility, and other prostate disorders, as well as sexual problems. Read more about prostate massage |
 |
Acupuncture Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese medicine practice based on the theory that life energy (qi, or chi) flows through the body through invisible channels called meridians. Read more about acupuncture |
 |
Reflexology The ancient healing art of reflexology is based on the concept that the body is divided into various zones, and that when pressure is applied to one area of a zone it is possible to relieve pain and other symptoms elsewhere in the same zone. Read more about reflexology |
 |
Stress Management Research shows that stress can worsen symptoms of prostate disorders. (Ullrich) Experts suggest that changes in hormone levels or the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system may explain the association between BPH, for example, and stress. Making stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, exercise, and good nutrition, a part of your daily routine may alleviate your symptoms. Read more about stress management |
 |
Meditation Numerous studies have been done to evaluate the effectiveness of meditation on stress in various populations and as a natural treatments for BPH. Read more about meditation |
 |
Yoga Yoga has been shown to be effective for relieving anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and back pain, and in helping cancer patients. |
 |
Tai Chi Tai chi is a graceful form of exercise that reduces stress and tension and helps various other health conditions. |
Botox and ED Drugs
Other alternate treatments for BPH include Botox injections into the prostate and well as the use of drugs for erectile dysfunction to treat BPH such as tadalafil (Cialis)
Can Lifestyle Modifications Treat BPH and Urinary Tract Infections?
Exercise, BPH and Urinary Tract Infections
References
Bravi BF et al. Food groups and risk of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Urology 2006; 67: 73-79 Natural treatments for BPH
Denis L et al. Diet and its preventive role in prostatic disease. Eur Urol 1999; 35(5-6): 377-87
Fritschi L et al. Occupational risk factors for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case-control study in Western Australia. Occup Environ Med 2007; 64:60-65 natural treatments for bph
Kristal AR et al. Dietary patterns, supplement use, and the risk of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: results from the prostate cancer prevention trial. Am J Epidemiol 2008 Apr 15; 167(8): 925-34
Liao S. The medicinal action of androgens and green tea epigallocatechin gallate. Hong Kong Med J 2001 Dec; 7(4): 369-74
Moul S, McVary KT. Lower urinary tract symptoms, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. Curr Opin Urol 2010 Jan; 20(1): 7-12 natural treatments for bph
Parsons JK. Modifiable risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms: new approaches to old problems. J Urol 2007 Aug; 178(2): 395-401
Ren GF, Huang YM. Inhibitive effect of soybean isoflavone on prostate hyperplasia in rats. Hunan Yi Ke D Xue Xue Bao 2003 Aug; 28(4): 343-46
Rohrmann S et al. Fruit and vegetable consumption, intake of micronutrients, and benign prostatic hyperplasia in US men. Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Feb; 85(2): 523-29
Schwartz S et al. Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. J Nutr 2008 Jan; 138(1): 49-53 natural treatments for bph
Sea J et al. Review of exercise and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Phys Sportsmed 2009 Dec; 37(4): 75-83 Natural treatments for BPH
Ullrich PM et al. Physiologic reactivity to a laboratory stress task among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology 2007; 70:487–91; and Ullrich PM et al. Stress, hostility, and disease parameters of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Psychosomatic Medicine 2005; 67:476–82.
