Effective Ways to Shrink Your Prostate Naturally

Effective Ways to Shrink Your Prostate Naturally

If you have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as frequent urination or problems emptying your bladder, you may be asking how to naturally decrease your prostate. While medication and surgery are standard treatment choices, some natural therapies might help relieve symptoms and shrink the prostate gland. 

What is Enlarged Prostate?

The prostate gland, which is positioned under the bladder in males, is important in the reproductive system. The prostate gland normally develops bigger as men age owing to hormonal changes. 

This disorder, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), affects many men, with the risk rising with age. BPH symptoms affect around 50% of men in their 50s, and this figure rises to 90% in those aged 80 and above123.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

The following are common signs of an enlarged prostate:

  • Urination frequently, especially at night (nocturia)
  • The need to urinate is pressing.
  • Difficulty initiating or sustaining a continuous flow of urine
  • Insufficient or intermittent urine flow
  • Feeling the desire to strain when urinating

Natural Treatments for an Enlarged Prostate

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle Changes

Simple lifestyle changes can have a substantial influence on the management of an enlarged prostate. Here are some lifestyle modifications you may make:

Avoiding Red Meat: Red meat, particularly processed meats, has been linked to an increased risk of prostate problems. It may be good to choose lean proteins and incorporate plant-based alternatives.

Practice Yoga and Meditation: Stress management activities such as yoga and meditation may help decrease inflammation and increase overall prostate health.

Consume More Fruit and Fiber: A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber has been linked to a decreased incidence of prostate problems. These foods are high in minerals and antioxidants.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening: Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the prostate and improve urine function.

Avoid drinking fluids before going to bed: Limiting fluid consumption one to two hours before going to bed can help minimize nocturia and enhance sleep quality.

Before going out, limit your fluid intake: Restricting fluid consumption before leaving the house can assist with urine urgency and frequency in public places.

Urinate as soon as you feel the urge: Responding quickly to the desire to pee helps minimize bladder overstretching and lessen the strain on the prostate.

Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol can both irritate the bladder and aggravate symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Modifying their consumption may bring relief.

Herbal Supplements

For decades, herbs and supplements have been used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. While there is minimal scientific data to support their usefulness, they have shown promise in decreasing prostate gland size. Here are some examples of popular herbal supplements:

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is an herbal treatment derived from the fruit of the Serenoa repens tree. It has been used traditionally to address urinary issues and reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. 

While its exact mechanism of action is still unclear, saw palmetto is believed to inhibit the production of certain hormones that contribute to prostate enlargement.

Ryegrass Pollen Extract

Ryegrass pollen extract is derived from rye, timothy, and maize grasses. This supplement is known to alleviate prostate discomfort and reduce prostate gland enlargement. 

Some individuals have reported a decrease in nighttime urine frequency with its use; however, long-term effects are still not well understood.

Pygeum

Pygeum is an herbal remedy derived from the bark of the African plum tree. It has been traditionally used to treat urinary issues associated with an enlarged prostate. 

While its long-term safety is yet to be established, Pygeum has shown potential in reducing prostate-related symptoms.

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral that aids in immune function and may have anti-inflammatory properties. 

According to research, chronic zinc deficiency may raise the risk of BPH and prostate cancer in men over the age of 50.

Taking zinc supplements or increasing zinc intake via food can reduce a person’s risk of zinc insufficiency. Zinc can also reduce DHT synthesis and prevent this androgen from attaching to receptors, potentially alleviating BPH symptoms.

It may be found in a variety of foods such as meat, dairy, and nuts.

Cranberry

Cranberry

Cranberry is well-known for its urinary health advantages. Cranberries are high in phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory effects. According to a 2020 rat research, cranberry powder may be beneficial for BPH by blocking 5-alpha-reductase.

Furthermore, a 2020 pilot research reveals that a solution comprising cranberry and other natural extracts may be good for those with BPH who are having urinary symptoms.

It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any herbal supplements to ensure they are safe for your specific health needs.

Medications

Medication is frequently used to treat an enlarged prostate. These drugs operate by either relaxing bladder and prostate muscles or decreasing the synthesis of hormones that lead to prostate enlargement. Here are some examples of widely given medications:

Alpha Blockers

Alpha-blockers do not shrink the prostate, but they relax the muscles within the bladder and prostate, making it easier to urinate

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors

These medications inhibit the production of hormones that cause the prostate to enlarge. They can help reduce prostate size and alleviate symptoms, but they may take several months to show noticeable effects

Medications for Erectile Dysfunction

Certain medications used to treat erectile dysfunction can also affect the smooth muscle in the bladder and prostate, providing relief from BPH symptoms

It is important to note that medications may have side effects, and individual responses may vary. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable medication for your specific situation.

Surgical Interventions

In cases where lifestyle changes and medications do not provide sufficient relief, surgical interventions may be recommended. Common surgical approaches include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and Greenlight Laser therapy. 

However, these procedures may carry the risk of retrograde ejaculation, where semen flows back into the bladder during ejaculation.

Conclusion

An enlarged prostate may have a substantial influence on a man’s quality of life, but there are several natural therapy alternatives. Lifestyle adjustments, herbal supplements, medicines, and surgical treatments can all help to manage and relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate. 

However, to find the best technique for your unique circumstance, you must talk with a healthcare practitioner.

Dr. Nicolette Natale is a physician, with a background in Psychology, General Medicine, and English Literature, combining her expertise to provide readers with the most accurate, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive information regarding healthcare. She received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, and her bachelor’s in English Literature and Psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Natale seeks to empower individuals with knowledge, fostering a greater understanding of holistic health and encouraging a proactive approach to well-being

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Dr. Kimberly Langdon

Kimberly Langdon

Dr. Kimberly Langdon has been an MD for 31 years, board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with 19-years of clinical experience. She graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, earning Honors in many rotations. She then completed her OB/GYN residency program at The Ohio State University Medical Center, earning first-place accolades for her Senior Research Project and Score of 98th percentile on a National Proficiency Test.

During her clinical career, she delivered over 2000 babies and specialized in minimally invasive procedures, menopause, endometriosis, menstrual disorders, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. After retiring from clinical practice, she founded a medical device company to commercialize her two patented and four patent-pending medical devices for both life-threatening and non-life-threatening infections.

Kimberly Langdon M.D.

Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Coologics, 2010-present
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-langdon-m-d-41847610/
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine 1987-1991
The Ohio State University Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program 1991-1995
Private practice 1995-2010

Po-Chang Hsu

Po-Chang Hsu

Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., received his medical doctorate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. During his medical school training, Dr. Hsu worked with various patients, including adult and pediatric patients with acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Hsu’s interests include neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and sleep medicine.

Before medical school, Dr. Hsu finished a master’s degree at Harvard University and wrote a thesis on neuroimaging in schizophrenia patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospital. Dr. Hsu was also a part of the 2008 NASA Phoenix Lander Mission team, which sent a robotic spacecraft to the North polar region of Mars. Dr. Hsu also had research experience on neuroimaging in neonates at Boston Children’s Hospital, another Harvard Medical School-affiliated Hospital.

Since graduating from medical school, Dr. Hsu has worked as a full-time medical writer and consultant. In addition, he has experience writing and ghostwriting books and articles for physicians and health technology start-up companies. Dr. Hsu believes good communication between healthcare providers and patients creates the best results.

Publications

-Peer Reviewed Journal Article:
Kounaves, S.P., Hecht, M.H., West, S.J., Morookian, J.-M., Young, S.M.M., Quinn, R., Grunthaner, P., Wen, X., Weilert, M., Cable, C.A., Fisher, A., Gospodinova, K., Kapit, J., Stroble, S., Hsu, P.-C., Clark, B.C., Ming, D.W. and Smith, P.H. The MECA wet chemistry laboratory on the 2007 phoenix mars scout Lander. Journal of Geophysical Research. 2009, Mar; 114(E3): 10.1029/2008je003084.

-Poster Presentation:
2011 Harvard Psychiatry Mysell Poster Session; Boston, MA
Hsu, P.C., Rathi, Y., Eckbo, R., Nestor, P., Niznikiewicz, M., Thompson, E., Kubicki, M., Shenton, M.E. (March, 2011). Two-Tensor Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Acoustic Radiations in Schizophrenia

Dr. Nicolette Natale

Nicolette Natale

Dr. Nicolette Natale is a physician, with a background in Psychology, General Medicine, and English Literature, combining her expertise to provide readers with the most accurate, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive information regarding healthcare. She received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, and her bachelor’s in English Literature and Psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Natale seeks to empower individuals with knowledge, fostering a greater understanding of holistic health and encouraging a proactive approach to well-being