Prostate health is a common concern for many men as they grow older. An enlarged prostate is a normal situation for men middle aged or older, and they will likely be relieved to know that an enlarged prostate is not connected directly to prostate cancer. However, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate can be anywhere from uncomfortable to debilitating, so finding the right treatment will be different for every patient.

The enlarged prostate condition that most men face is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, more commonly referred to as BPH. This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate and the chances of developing this condition increase with age. Most patients will be happy to know that of the four most commonly prescribed treatments most are non-invasive and can have very positive results. These treatments are:

Taking a “wait and see” approach. When the enlargement is not extreme and the patient is not in a great deal of pain or is not having to make significant changes in lifestyle, the patient and doctor may agree to wait and see what happens with no intervention. It is possible in some cases that merely changing the diet can have a positive effect.

Prescribed medications. There are a wide range of medications available to help treat the symptoms of enlarged prostate, such as urinary issues. They can also help slow the growth of the prostate which will also help eliminate other symptoms from appearing.

Surgery. This option is generally saved for the worst cases in which medication has no effect. A common procedure is called the transurethral resection of the prostate, in which a portion of the prostate is removed in order to bring relief.

Herbal supplements. These are now being considered more by doctors that wish to avoid invasive procedures or the side effects that come with synthetic drugs. Recent research has shown that supplements such as zinc, lycopene and flaxseed can have a positive impact on prostate health, though it should be said that these are not miracle drugs and may not work for everyone.

Once men reach the age of forty, they should start to talk to their doctors about the state of their prostate health. In some cases, they may even be able to prevent the symptoms of enlarged prostate from appearing by adding a daily supplement to a healthy diet. When the symptoms of enlarged prostate do arise, they will be happy to know that a wide range of treatments are available to them.