Finasteride for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Effectiveness, Advantages and Disadvantages

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition that affects men as they age. It causes the prostate gland to enlarge, which can lead to a number of urinary symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and weak urine stream.

Finasteride is a medication that is commonly used to treat BPH. It works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that ¹ stimulates the growth of the prostate gland.  

Effectiveness

Finasteride is a safe and effective medication for the treatment of BPH. Studies have shown that finasteride can significantly improve urinary symptoms in men with BPH. It can also help to reduce the size of the prostate gland.

Advantages

Some of the advantages of using finasteride to treat BPH include:

• It is a safe and effective medication.
• It can be taken once a day.
• It can significantly improve urinary symptoms.
• It can help to reduce the size of the prostate gland.
• It can help to prevent the progression of BPH.

Disadvantages

Some of the disadvantages of using finasteride to treat BPH include:

• It can cause side effects, such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and gynecomastia (enlarged breasts).
• It can take several months for finasteride to work.
• It is not effective for all men with BPH.

Conclusion

Finasteride is a safe and effective medication for the treatment of BPH. It can significantly improve urinary symptoms and help to reduce the size of the prostate gland. However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of finasteride. If you are considering taking finasteride to treat BPH, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Additional Information

• Finasteride is available in two forms: a 1mg tablet for hair loss and a 5mg tablet for BPH. The 1mg tablet is typically taken once a day, and the 5mg tablet is typically taken once a day for BPH.
• It can take several months for finasteride to work.
• Finasteride is not effective for all men with BPH.
• Finasteride can cause side effects, such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and gynecomastia (enlarged breasts).
• If you are considering taking finasteride, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.