BPH Medication Comparison: Find the Right Treatment for Enlarged Prostate

When you're dealing with an enlarged prostate, a common condition in men over 50 that causes urinary symptoms like frequent urination, weak stream, and nighttime trips to the bathroom. Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, it's not cancer, but it can seriously affect daily life. The good news? There are several proven medications that target different causes of the problem—and choosing the right one makes all the difference.

Most doctors start with alpha blockers, a class of drugs that relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow. Drugs like tamsulosin and terazosin work fast—often within days—and help with urgency and flow. But they don’t shrink the prostate. If your prostate is significantly enlarged, you might need a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, a slower-acting medication that blocks the hormone responsible for prostate growth. Finasteride and dutasteride can reduce prostate size by up to 25% over six to twelve months, but they take time and may lower libido or cause other sexual side effects. Some men take both types together for better results, especially if symptoms are severe.

What about newer options? There are also combination pills that pack both an alpha blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor in one tablet, which simplifies dosing. And while some people turn to herbal supplements like saw palmetto, studies show they don’t work as well as prescription meds. If you’ve tried one drug and it didn’t help—or caused side effects—you’re not alone. Many men cycle through a few before finding their match. It’s not about finding the "best" drug, but the one that fits your body, symptoms, and lifestyle.

This collection brings together real-world comparisons of BPH medications, from how they stack up against each other in effectiveness and side effects, to what patients actually experience after months of use. You’ll find direct comparisons between common drugs, insights on cost and long-term use, and even how lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can support treatment. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or looking to switch because your current med isn’t working, you’ll find practical, no-fluff advice here.