Abstract
Background Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in elderly men and has a significant impact on their daily lives. Surgical procedures are currently used for the conventional treatment for BPH; but they have been associated with clinically significant adverse effects in patients.
Objectives The main purpose of this article is to evaluate the role of homoeopathic medicines for the treatment of BPH.
Materials and Methods Clinically diagnosed 30 subjects of BPH were given homoeopathy treatment and followed up for a period of 1 year. Homoeopathic medicines were prescribed to the subjects according to the principles of homoeopathy. Effects of homoeopathic medicines were analysed periodically by American Urological Association score (AUA score) and ultrasonography.
Results Marked amelioration of symptoms and reduction in size of prostate gland in BPH subjects were observed after homoeopathic treatment when analysed by AUA score and ultrasonography. There was marked reduction in various symptoms of BPH like nocturia, straining, incomplete sensation after urination, interrupted flow of urination with dribbling of urine and urgency significantly from 21.60 ± 4.64 units to 12.23 ± 3.68, that is, ∼57% reduction in symptoms of obstruction of bladder problem. The reduction was statistically significant (p = 0.001). However, transabdominal pelvic ultrasonic scan did not show statistically significant results.
Conclusion Homoeopathic medicines can prove to be an alternative treatment of BPH.
Keywords
homoeopathy - prostate gland - ultrasonography