A look at common prostate medicines used to treat benign enlargement.

Australians will find there are a variety of prostate medicines that can help them fight back against non-cancerous enlargements of this gland. While the medical community leans on a few specific types of prostate medicine, alternatives to exist, as well.

Three of the main types, alpha-blockers, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, and anti-cholinergics, are commonly suggested by doctors.

Seeking out help for enlarged prostate problems is sometimes a difficult task for men. Doing so, however, is almost always advised when symptoms interfere with everyday living. Although surgical solutions can sometimes help, most patients find themselves preferring to give prostate medicines a try first. To this end, there are roughly four major types of medicines available to help. Three of the main types, alpha-blockers, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, and anti-cholinergics, are commonly suggested by doctors.  The fourth alternative involves the use of natural medicines to ease symptoms and even attack the causes of enlargement.

While many prostate medicines can help, sometimes men will find more radical treatments are necessary. The first step, however, often lies in giving one or several forms of prostate medicine a try. The most common forms of medicine and how they work include:

• The Alpha blocker class. This class of medicines, commonly prescribed as terazosin and tamsulosin, will help relax the prostate gland. When this is achieved, uncomfortable symptoms such as blocked urine flow can be relieved.
• 5 alpha reductase inhibitor class. Prostate medicines that fall into this class, such as dutasteride, help shrink the prostate. If medication treatment is successful, the prostate will shrink and reduce impact on nearby organs like the bladder.
• Anti-cholingeric class. Oxybutynin, for example, can ease frequent urination problems and put men back on the path to enjoying life.
• Natural remedies. Herbal supplements like saw palmetto and pygeum are known to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Clinical studies support the use of natural supplements to prevent and ease prostate issues. Substances like flaxseed  and pumpkin seeds  have proven very useful.

Although invasive procedures are never desired, they are sometimes necessary. Many men, however, are likely to discover that prostate medicines are very effective.