6 Most Effective Homeopathic Medicines for Enlarged Prostate

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia or BPH is the medical term for non-cancerous enlargement of prostate gland which puts pressure on the urethra and blocks the flow of urine resulting in different types of urinary complications. A prostate gland of more than 30cc usually indicates benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Homeopathy can offer an alternative treatment to surgery, prostate enlargement being one of them, without having any adverse effects. Homeopathic medicines halt the further progression of the increase in size of prostate gland and side-by-side assist in symptom management. If one follows the prescribed homeopathic regimen, one will be able to see remarkable improvement in symptoms like frequent urination, urgency to urinate, interrupted urine stream, straining to urinate, and sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder. The use of homeopathic medicines if started in early stages of BPH helps to restore normal urine flow, may reduce prostate size, and also help to prevent complications that tend to occur later on.  Medicines, like tamsulosin and finasteride, are often prescribed in mainstream medicine to manage symptoms of BPH. With prolonged use, they may exhibit unwanted side effects like dizziness, less semen, problems with ejaculation, sexual weakness (erectile dysfunction), and decreased libido. Prolonged use can also create dependency as on discontinuing these medicines, the symptoms would return, maybe with greater intensity. On the other hand, homeopathy uses gentle, harmless, non-toxic, and non-habit-forming medicines that treat BPH naturally without any unfavorable effects. One may discontinue homeopathic medicine on advised homeopathic protocol after the desired outcome is obtained.

Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)

The top six homeopathic medicines to treat BPH are Sabal Serrulata, Conium Maculatum, Lycopodium Clavatum, Baryta Carb,  Chimaphila Umbellata and Staphysagria.

1. Sabal Serrulata – Top-grade Medicine For BPH

It is the most effective medicine to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It is a natural remedy sourced from fresh berries of the plant saw palmetto. It can be used to manage almost any symptom of enlarged prostate and has given great clinical results in BPH cases. It can be given to manage frequent desire to pass urine, especially at night. Secondly, it can be used when there is difficulty in the initial urine flow. Force is required for initiating urine. Sabal Serrulata also helps treat interrupted urination. Dribbling urine (slow, intermittent drop by drop trickle) is another problem where it is indicated. Burning sensation while urinating can also be treated well with this medicine. Last but not least, Sabal Serrulata effectively treats the complaint of erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain erections firm enough to have sexual intercourse) from an enlarged prostate.

When to use Sabal Serrulata?

Sabal Serrulata can be used to manage increased frequency of urination.

How to use Sabal Serrulata?

It yields the best results when used in the form of mother tincture (Q). Sabal Serrulata Q (8 to 10 drops in half a cup of water) can be used twice or thrice a day as per the intensity of the symptoms.

2. Conium Maculatum – For Interrupted Urine Flow in BPH

It is extremely effective in cases of interrupted urine flow due to an enlarged prostate. Urine starts and stops several times before complete voiding. After passing urine, burning or pricking pain may be felt in the urethra. Dribbling of urine can also be there.

When to use Conium Maculatum?

Those who experience interrupted urine flow due to enlarged prostate can use this medicine.

How to use Conium Maculatum?

It can be used in different potencies from low to high as per the complaint. In BPH cases, its use is recommended in 30C potency. Conium 30C can be taken two times a day for good results.

3. Lycopodium Clavatum – For Frequent Urination At Night

For frequent urination at night from BPH, Lycopodium Clavatum works wonders. Persons who need it also need to wait to start urination. Urine takes time to come out, it passes with strain. Lycopodium is also beneficial to manage erectile dysfunction linked with prostate issues.

When to use Lycopodium Clavatum?

This medicine can be prescribed to manage frequent urination at night in BPH cases. Its use is also recommended to manage erectile dysfunction associated with prostate enlargement.

How to use Lycopodium Clavatum?

Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with low potency during the initial days. Lycopodium 30C potency can be taken one or two times a day.

4. Baryta Carb – To Manage Sudden Urge To Urinate

Baryta Carb is known to effectively treat the problem of sudden urge to urinate. Males who need this medicine have to rush to urinate when the urge occurs with inability to retain urine. Burning sensation while passing urine may also be observed. Dribbling after urination can also be present. Frequency of urination increases due to these complaints.

When to use Baryta Carb?

Baryta Carb can be considered when a person faces a sudden urge in urination and has to rush immediately to urinate.

How to use Baryta Carb?

Baryta Carb works most wonderfully in 30C potency. Baryta Carb 30C can be taken twice a day to control urination urgency in BPH cases.

5. Chimaphila Umbellata – When There is Difficulty In Starting Urination

Chimaphila Umbellata is helpful when a person needs to strain hard to start passing 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?

Chimaphila is the most appropriate prescription to manage complaints of excessive straining to start urination in cases of BPH.

How to use Chimaphila Umbellata?

Though it can be used in different potencies, it is more powerful in mother tincture form. Chimaphila Q (5 to 7 drops in half a cup of water) can be used twice a day.

6. Staphysagria – For Sensation Of Incomplete Bladder Emptying

Staphysagria is a well-indicated medicine to manage cases having a sensation that the bladder has not emptied completely after urination. There is a sensation as if a drop of urine is rolling in the urinary tract continuously. Pressure is felt on the bladder. There is a frequent urge to pass the urine. Burning sensation may be felt in urethra during urination.

When to use Staphysagria?

Staphysagria can be used in cases of BPH based on the key symptom of sensation of incomplete bladder emptying.

How to use Staphysagria?

Though this medicine can be taken in both low and high potency but initially 30C potency is good to start with. The recommended dosage of this medicine is Staphysagria 30 C usually once a day. Keep away from using its high potencies without consulting homeopathic physician.

Note  You may use any of the medicines in the recommended potency and dosage for about one month. To continue further, seek advice from a homeopathic doctor. In case of acute retention of urine, it is strictly advised to take immediate help from conventional mode of treatment.

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 frequent urination at night (nocturia), could it be due to 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 urinary stream necessarily 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 does that 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 are the grades of BPH, and what do they 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 prostatitis different from benign prostate hyperplasia?

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 people with BPH vulnerable to urinary tract infections (UTI)?

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.