There has been plenty of talk about the almost magical effects of daily tadalafil for those who have Erectile Dysfunction (ED). More recently, though, the word is spreading about tadalafil having double efficacy in treating the rather annoying symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
Benign Prostatic hyperplasia is essentially an enlarged prostate. The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It's positioned just below the bladder, and passing through it is the tube that carries urine out of the body (The Urethra). When the prostate becomes swollen, this can restrict the urethra and, in severe cases, stop the urine flow completely.
There are over 3 million new cases of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia a year in the USA alone. Statistics show that 50% of men over 50 and 90% of men over 80 will suffer from this condition. Some scientists also believe nearly all men will suffer from this condition if they live long enough, so to put it simply, BPH comes with aging.
Many men worry that an enlarged prostate means increased prostate cancer risk. Although symptoms are similar, this is not the case, so don't worry. However, it is possible to have both conditions at the same time.
What are the Symptoms of BPH?
- Difficulty urinating
- Weak urine stream
- Straining and finding it hard to start to pee
- Frequent urination
- Having the feeling of not completely emptying the bladder
- Accidental leakage (incontinence)
- Frequent trips to the toilet during the night
What Treatments are Available for BPH?
Treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia are, of course, available but not always needed. If your symptoms are mild, simple changes in your lifestyle can have dramatic results in improving the issues. However, it's essential to seek medical help if you are concerned about BPH so other conditions with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer, can be ruled out.
What Lifestyle changes can improve BPH?
Everybody knows that your lifestyle choices and what you eat and drink will dramatically affect your general health. What isn't so commonly known is that soda, too much alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine can irritate the bladder and prostate, aggravating urinary conditions. So, reduce your intake, and you will reduce the risk.
One of the common symptoms of BPH is needing to frequent the toilet during the night. So, trying not to drink for a couple of hours before bed can help enormously. Also, make sure to go to the toilet before long journeys to avoid being caught out.
Some people find that a technique called Double Voiding helps. Double voiding is simply waiting for a short while after having a pee, then trying again. Double voiding makes sure that you have emptied the bladder fully. Remember not to strain too hard.
Constipation can exacerbate BPH symptoms because of pressure on the bladder and prostate. So, eating more fruit and fiber should help avoid this problem. You should also check with your doctor that your meds are not an underlying cause of urinary problems. Some antidepressants, sedatives, and decongestants can make symptoms worse.
What Medication Can You Take for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
In some cases, BPH will clear up by itself with positive lifestyle changes. There are several approved medications for treating BPH, including the following.
Alpha-Blockers.
Alpha-Blockers help relax the muscles in and around the bladder, making it easier for urine to pass. Some medicines, such as Doxazosin, were initially developed to treat high blood pressure but were later found beneficial to men suffering from BPH.
Examples include
- Doxazosin
- Prazosin
- Alfuzosin
- Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Alpha-Blocker Side Effects
The main side effects of alpha-blockers are low blood pressure and dizziness, especially after sitting or lying down. For this reason, taking these medicines at bedtime is best to reduce the risk. They may also cause nausea and headaches.
Alpha-blockers will not reduce the size of your prostate, but they can relieve the symptoms, which unfortunately may worsen in the future and without further intervention.
Hormone Reduction Medication
Medications such as 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride and dutasteride) help men with enlarged prostates. Essentially, they alter the levels of hormones produced in the body, which enlarge the prostate, reducing its growth, which can ease the symptoms.
Hormone Reduction Medication Side Effects
Most men who take 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors suffer very few side effects. Still, side effects can include nausea, headaches, and retrograde ejaculation, which is a bit like ejaculating in reverse, where some semen comes back into the bladder instead of out the penis. These drugs can also cause a decrease in sex drive and trouble getting and maintaining an erection (Erectile Dysfunction).
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors
These FDA0-approved drugs are for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men and include Viagra (Generic Sildenafil), Levitra (Vardenafil), and, most importantly, Tadalafil (Cialis). Only Daily Tadalafil is FDA-Approved for BPH and ED and comes in 2.5mg or 5mg tablets, which, as the name suggests, are taken daily.
Cialis (Generic Tadalafil) was developed to treat ED, but researchers subsequently discovered that taking tadalafil for BPH effectively reduced the symptoms. Tadalafil works by increasing the level of a chemical in the body called Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). This chemical increases the blood flow to the penis (Improved Erections) but crucially also relaxes the bladder and prostate muscles, relieving BPH symptoms.
Dr. Gary Kline
"BPH can have a huge impact on a man's quality of life, with many older men suffering from the symptoms. Daily Tadalafil offers hope and is an ideal treatment, especially for those with E.D as well."
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors' Side effects
Luckily most side effects of tadalafil are mild but can include the following:
- Nausea
- Loose stools
- Headache
- Muscle and back pain
- Congestion
- Redness in the face
Rarely tadalafil can cause sudden vision and hearing loss, so if you suffer these side effects, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Surgery for BPH
Surgery is often the last resort when treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Urologists usually want to explore non-invasive options such as medication because of possible complications that can follow surgical procedures.
After prostate surgery, patients often experience difficulty urinating, pain, and increased frequency - which usually subsides after a couple of months. Incontinence is also common after prostate surgery; this is typically temporary and eases over time.
After prostate surgery, blood clots and blood may be present in the urine, usually passing within a couple of days. If any large clots pass or large amounts of blood, something could be amiss, and you need to contact your urologist. Blood clots can travel to other parts of your body and cause embolisms, requiring careful monitoring.
Following surgery, some men report erectile dysfunction as a problem. In most cases, this is psychological rather than a direct result of surgery. Talking with a doctor can certainly help, which is most likely to occur if the patient previously suffered from ED.
Other complications include
- Infection
- Scarring
- Recurring issues (approximately 10% of men will need further surgery within 5 years)
Does Tadalafil Work for BPH and Erectile Dysfunction?
The simple answer is yes for most men. The adage "Killing two birds with one stone" really applies in this case. In clinical trials Tadalafil for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia has been proven effective for men with and without ED, easing the symptoms that a swollen prostate can cause. One 12-week study showed that 5mg daily Cialis (Tadalafil) significantly improved BPH symptoms and ED in men.
So, as far as BPH medications are concerned, tadalafil daily is certainly a contender and is still the only ED medication approved to treat the symptoms of both BPH and ED.
