Ways to Reduce Prostate Size: Home & Medical Treatments

Effectively manage your symptoms and discover the most suitable treatment options for you. The prostate gland is a crucial component of the male reproductive system that may expand with age, exerting uncomfortable pressure on the urethra. This can lead to urinary challenges, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and even the formation of bladder stones. By implementing lifestyle changes and utilizing medication, the majority of men can alleviate their urinary issues. However, some men may need to consider minimally invasive or traditional surgical procedures to optimize their well-being. In this guide, we will outline the most effective methods for addressing your symptoms, enhancing prostate health through lifestyle adjustments and medication, and explore potential surgical interventions to empower you and your healthcare provider in making well-informed decisions about your health.

To effectively manage symptoms, reduce alcohol and caffeine intake, and adopt a high-fiber, low-fat diet. Empty your bladder completely while urinating to lessen urges and frequency. Consult your physician regarding alpha-blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for targeted prostate shrinkage with minimal side effects. Explore options such as Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT) for minimally invasive procedures to alleviate symptoms by removing prostate tissue.

Reduce alcohol consumption, as well as caffeine, soda, and artificial sweeteners. These substances can irritate the bladder and exacerbate urinary symptoms like frequent urination. To alleviate these issues, lower your daily intake of coffee, caffeinated tea, soda, and alcohol (especially in the evening).

• Aim to consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day, equivalent to 2 cups of coffee, which is about half the recommended maximum for healthy adults.
• Limit alcoholic beverages to 2 per day or 14 per week.

Reduce fluid intake in the 2 hours before bedtime. Minimize consumption of water, tea, juice, and other beverages before sleep to avoid nighttime urinary discomfort and frequent bathroom visits.

• Ensure adequate hydration throughout the day by consuming at least 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily.
• If engaged in intense exercise or facing hot weather conditions, increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration.

Adopt a diet rich in fiber and low in fat to promote regularity and alleviate symptoms. Incorporate more fiber-rich foods such as fruits with skin, vegetables, lentils, nuts, beans, and whole grains to combat constipation, which can worsen prostate symptoms and bladder pressure.

• Diversify your daily fruit and vegetable intake, including at least one serving of citrus fruit. Fiber-rich choices include broccoli, apples, pears, carrots, Swiss chard, raspberries, and strawberries.
• Most men require 30-38 grams of fiber daily based on age. While fiber supplements are safe, they may cause constipation. Prioritize obtaining fiber from your diet rather than supplements whenever possible.
• Opt for lean protein sources like chicken and fish over red meat or fatty cuts. A high-protein, low-fat diet is associated with reduced prostate inflammation risk.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise. Although the precise link between exercise and prostate health is not fully understood, numerous studies suggest that regular aerobic activities like brisk walking lead to improved outcomes for men with prostate issues. If your current lifestyle is sedentary, start with short walks and gradually increase workout durations by 5-10 minutes.

• If already active, engage in more intense aerobic exercises such as swimming, cycling, or running.
• Kegel exercises may also help alleviate urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
• Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise can relieve bladder pressure and reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Use the double-voiding method to completely empty your bladder. After urinating, wait for about 30 seconds before trying again. Avoid straining. This technique can help reduce the frequency of UTIs and the need for frequent bathroom visits.

• Apply this method before bedtime, during travel, or when access to a restroom is limited.
• If an enlarged prostate causes incontinence or leaks, consider using absorbent pads or underwear until symptoms improve.
• Some doctors may suggest bladder training exercises to manage sudden urges to urinate. Consult your doctor for specific exercises that may help.

Discuss potential side effects of your current medications with your doctor. Inform your doctor if you experience urinary issues after starting a new medication for another condition. Certain drugs like decongestants and antidepressants can worsen urinary symptoms or contribute to prostate enlargement.

• Your doctor can recommend alternative medications that may manage your condition without affecting your prostate.
• Avoid discontinuing prescribed medication or switching without consulting your doctor.

Take note of symptoms related to an enlarged prostate, such as frequent urination. Watch for signs like a weak urine stream, dribbling, increased nighttime urination, difficulty initiating urination, or the need to strain. If you experience these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor for proper diagnosis.

• Less common symptoms include UTIs, urinary retention, or blood in the urine.
• These symptoms may indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) but can also be linked to other bladder and kidney conditions.
• Remember, symptom severity is not directly proportional to prostate size. A slightly enlarged gland can cause significant symptoms, while a larger prostate may cause only mild symptoms.

Consult your doctor about alpha-blockers if you experience difficulty urinating. Alpha-blockers can relax bladder and prostate muscles, improving urine flow and reducing frequent urination. Follow your doctor's instructions for alpha-blocker use and report any worsening symptoms or side effects.

• While rare, alpha-blockers may cause dizziness. However, they typically alleviate symptoms within a few weeks.
• Most alpha-blockers can be safely combined with other medications. Check with your pharmacist for potential drug interactions with your current medications.
• Mirabegron and anticholinergic drugs can also help relax an overactive bladder, making it easier to urinate normally.
• Your doctor might prescribe diuretics to increase daytime urination or desmopressin to reduce nighttime urine production.

Ask your doctor about 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for reducing a significantly enlarged prostate. These inhibitors limit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to abnormal prostate growth. They can shrink your prostate, alleviate urinary symptoms, and reduce the need for surgery.

• Common inhibitors include finasteride and dutasteride, which may take several months to show improvements.
• Combination therapy with alpha-blockers may also be recommended.
• Be aware of potential side effects like dizziness, and consult your pharmacist for any medication interactions.

Consider Tadalafil if you also experience erectile dysfunction (ED). Tadalafil (Cialis) is effective for relieving both ED and urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate. It can benefit men with either condition or both.

• Common side effects include back pain and headaches.
• Discuss the timing of symptom relief with your doctor and be cautious of potential drug interactions, especially with nitroglycerin.

Explore Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT) as an option. TUMT targets specific prostate tissue causing urinary blockages using microwave energy, particularly beneficial for mild-to-moderate blockages.

• Most discomfort during TUMT can be managed with local anesthesia and pain medication.

Discuss Transurethral Radiofrequency Needle Ablation (TUNA) with your doctor. This procedure uses radio waves to treat tissue compressing the urethra, improving urine flow.

• TUNA is minimally invasive and usually performed without a hospital stay.
• Possible side effects include temporary discomfort during urination.

Consider holmium laser treatment (HoLEP) as a surgical option without incisions. HoLEP uses a laser fiber to vaporize prostate sections blocking the urethra, offering shorter hospital stays and recovery times.

• Typically, only 1 night of hospitalization is necessary after HoLEP.

Ask your doctor about a prostatic stent if surgery and medication aren’t suitable. A prostatic stent is a coil placed in the urethra to keep it open, though it may pose risks such as shifting position or causing urinary tract infections.

• Discuss potential complications and risks with your doctor before considering a prostatic stent.

Discuss more advanced surgical options if necessary. Surgical procedures such as open prostatectomy, TURP, PUL implants, water ablation, Greenlight XPS, and prostate artery embolization may provide comprehensive symptom relief, depending on your condition and medical history.

• Each surgical option has specific benefits and risks, so consult your doctor to determine the most suitable procedure for your situation.

• Exercise caution with herbal remedies. While herbs like saw palmetto and pygeum are believed to have benefits for enlarged prostates, they lack FDA regulation and may pose risks. It's crucial to consult your doctor before considering any alternative treatments.