5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
How It Works
5-alpha reductase inhibitors interfere with the effect of certain male hormones (androgens) on the prostate. This slows the growth of the prostate and can even cause it to become smaller, which may help improve the symptoms of Reference benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Opens New Window.
But since prostate size does not always correspond to the severity of a man's symptoms, these medicines will not give satisfactory results in every case.
When you stop taking the medicine, symptoms usually return.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 5, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
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