Prostate woes

Phytotherapy and hydrotherapy (Sitz bath) for relieving the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

ACCORDING to the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the most common form of prostate problems for men over the age of 50 is prostate enlargement. Another name for prostate enlargement is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra, like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination.

Eventually, the bladder weakens and loses the ability to empty itself. Urine remains in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and partial emptying of the bladder cause many of the problems associated with BPH.

Symptoms of BPH

The symptoms of BPH contain two elements:

Obstructive (voiding symptoms)

? Weak (slow) urine stream

? Having to strain to start urination

? Straining to urinate       

? Dribbling after urination       

? Incomplete emptying of the bladder       

Irritative (storage symptoms)

? Urgent need to urinate

? Frequent need to urinate

? Increased frequency of urination at night

? Urge incontinence

BPH appears to be caused by an accumulation of the male sex hormone, testosterone, in the prostate. Once in the prostate, testosterone is converted into a more potent compound called dihydrotestosterone. This is the compound that causes the prostate cells to multiply excessively causing the prostate to enlarge.

Note: It is important to have your symptoms checked by a health professional to be certain they are not caused by prostate cancer.

Natural treatment options

Hydrotherapy: Sitz bath

A Sitz bath is a common form of hydrotherapy that may be used to relieve BPH symptoms. A Sitz bath helps relax the smooth muscle in the prostate, easing the constriction of the urethra and bladder neck and increasing blood circulation to the pelvic region.

This procedure costs you almost nothing, takes 20 minutes, and can yield positive results in a matter of a few days.

What you’ll need:

1. Two Sitz baths – an inexpensive plastic basin that fits into the bowl of your toilet and overflows from the basin into the toilet bowl.

2. Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) – available at most pharmacies.

3. A thermometer that can be immersed in water.

4. A watch or clock with a second hand.

The purpose of the Sitz bath is to apply alternate temperature changes to the prostate. The process of heating and cooling, combined with the effects of the Epsom salts, can effectively drain the acini (small ducts) of the enlarged prostate.

1. Begin by filling one Sitz bath with hot water. Try to use water that is at least 105 degrees F, but no more than 120 degrees F. Mix two to three tablespoons of Epsom salts into the hot water.

2. Fill the second Sitz bath with cold tap water or slightly iced water.

3. Begin by placing the hot Sitz bath inside the toilet bowl and sitting in the hot water. Lean forward, spread the legs and buttocks slightly so all the water covers the prostate area, rising above the base of your penis. Keep moving the hot water against the skin by rocking back and forth gently. Add hot water as needed to maintain water temperature. Sit in this bath for six minutes.

4. Trade the hot bath for the cold one by exchanging Sitz baths in the toilet. Sit for one minute in the cold bath, then repeat the cycle of hot and cold baths three times. Add more hot water to the hot bath if the temperature drops too low.

Phytotherapy: herbal supplements

Phytotherapy is the use of plant extracts to treat a medical condition. Some plant extracts have been used for centuries to treat urinary symptoms secondary to BPH. Today, there is wide variation in the use of these herbal products around the world. In some European countries – Germany, Austria, and France, for example – plant extracts are commonly used as initial treatment for men with urinary symptoms.

? Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Saw palmetto is one of the best researched herbal remedies for BPH. A three-year preliminary study in Germany found that 160mg of saw palmetto extract taken twice daily reduced nighttime urination in 73% of patients and improved urinary flow rates significantly. In a double-blind trial at various sites in Europe, 160mg of saw palmetto extract taken twice per day treated BPH as effectively as finasteride without side effects, such as loss of libido.

A review of all available double-blind trials has concluded that saw palmetto is effective for treatment of men with BPH and is just as effective as the drug finasteride.

Most recent studies have shown that to achieve the optimal benefits with saw palmetto, it is essential that fat-soluble saw palmetto extracts are standardised to contain 85% to 95% fatty acids.

Note: Most of the older preparations in the market are using the crude extract of the saw palmetto berries. The problem with the crude extract is that the quality of the powder may not be consistent. The potency may not be consistent.

? Pygeum (Pygeum africanum)

Pygeum is the second most popular herb for helping with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Pygeum extracts contain phytosterols which can inhibit prostaglandins synthesis, thereby reducing the abnormal high levels of prostaglandin normally found in BPH.

Pygeum has been approved in Germany, France, and Italy as a remedy for BPH. Controlled studies published over the past 25 years have shown that pygeum is safe and effective for men with BPH of mild or moderate severity.

? Tomato (Lycoparsion esculentum)

Lycopene contains phytosterols that gives tomatoes their bright red colour. Lycopene gets high marks from researchers for its apparently potent antioxidant properties. Research studies show that high levels of lycopene consumption have been associated with long-term protection of prostate health.

? Stinging nettle (Urtica dioca)

As men age, their sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) level increases, which makes them more susceptible to abnormal cell proliferation. Stinging nettle has a strong affinity for SHBG, thereby limiting the amount of testosterone and oestrogen than can bind to it and influence cell proliferation.

This extract may increase urinary volume and the maximum flow rate of urine in men with early-stage BPH. It has been successfully combined with both saw palmetto and pygeum to treat BPH in double-blind trials.

? Pumpkin seed (Curcubita pepo)

Pumpkin seed extracts contain phytosterols, curcubitin, and selenium. The extract inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. It also has an inhibitory effect on aromatase preventing androgens like testosterone from converting to oestrogen.

Here is a summary of prostate health benefits from all of the above mentioned herbal extracts:

? Increases urinary flow rate

? Decreases day-time urinary urgency

? Decreases night-time urinary urgency and frequency

? Reduces urinary retention and residual urine

? Reduces prostate size

? Encourages hormonal balance

Generally, when shopping for herbal product(s), one should preferably choose products that contain standardised extract(s) of herbs as they can guarantee the consistency of the product.

Since saw palmetto, pygeum, lycopene, stinging nettle and pumpkin seed extract have been demonstrated through scientific studies to support prostate health, one should look for a herbal formula that contains all these.

References:

1. Bach D, Ebeling L. Long-term drug treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia—results of a prospective 3-year multicenter study using Sabal extract IDS 89. Phytomedicine 1996;3:105–11.

2. Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon®) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients. Prostate 1996; 29:231–40.

3. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A systematic review. JAMA 1998; 280:1604–9.

4. Andro MC, Riffaud JP. Pygeum africanum extract for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a review of 25 years of published experience. Curr Ther Res 1995;56:796–817

This article is courtesy of Pahang Pharmacy. For more information, e-mail [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.