How to Shrink an Enlarged Prostate

The prostate is a gland in the male body, located just behind the bladder. As men age, this gland can get enlarged. This is a condition known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. One of the main symptoms is frequent urination, especially at night. The bladder also gets affected by not being able to empty properly. This then causes disturbances with urination such as a weak stream and in the worst of cases, the inability to urinate at all. If you suffer from an enlarged prostate, there are ways to shrink it both conventionally and naturally.

Instructions

• 1

  Take proper medication. Two of the most common medications for prostate enlargement are finasteride and dutasturide. These drugs lower the levels of hormones that the prostrate produces that cause it to shrink. They also help increase urinary flow.

• 2

  Take saw palmetto, an extract from a berry that grows on shrubs in coastal areas. It is used as an alternative to drugs for treating the prostate. It can be found in supplement form at health food stores.

• 3

  Get surgery. You can get a surgery done where part of the prostate is removed. This is a procedure called TURP or transurethral resection of the prostate. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the urethra through the penis and a portion of the prostate is removed.

• 4

  Try some pygeum. Pygeum Africanum is a natural substance that comes from the bark of a tree. It has three active ingredients: oleanic acids, beta-sitosterol and docosanal, which help to reduce inflammation and swelling of the prostate.

• 5

  Avoid foods and beverages that can cause inflammation. Some of these include deep fried foods, processed foods, highly refined foods and foods that are high in fat. Also avoid high amounts of caffeine and alcohol.

• 6

  Eat some tomatoes. Tomatoes have a substance in them called lycopene which has been known to be beneficial for the prostate. To increase the absorption, eat cooked tomato products like sauce or ketchup.

• 7

  Avoid fluids before bed. Drinking fluids in the evening, especially right before bed, can cause frequent feelings of urination and exacerbate symptoms of the prostate.

• 8

  Avoid using decongestants. These are over the counter medicines that are used for colds and allergies. Use of these medicines can take a toll on the muscles in the bladder and prostate, causing urination to be difficult.