Answer:
Dear
Gary,
Saw palmetto
(Serenoa repens) is the most commonly used herbal preparation in the
treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Saw palmetto
is used by over 2 million men in the United States for the treatment
of benign prostatic hyperplasia and is commonly recommended as an
alternative to drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
There
are studies where saw palmetto did not improve symptoms or objective
measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Numerous
human trials report that saw palmetto improves symptoms of benign
prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) such as nighttime urination, urinary flow,
and overall quality of life, although it may not greatly reduce the
size of the prostate.
The effectiveness
may be similar to the medication finasteride (Proscar®) with fewer
side effects. Although the quality of these studies has been variable,
overall they suggest effectiveness.
Saw palmetto
has not been thoroughly compared to other types of drugs used for
BPH, such as doxazosin (Cardura®) or terazosin (Hytrin®).
Most available studies have assessed the standardized saw palmetto
product Permixon®.
Although
a 2003 study by Willetts et al. reported no difference over a 12-week
period and a 2006 well-designed study by Bent et al. reported no difference
over a 12-month period, overall the weight of available scientific
evidence favors the effectiveness of saw palmetto over placebo.
Schiff
Prostate Health is a combination of natural ingredients, scientifically
formulated to promote healthy prostate function.
Schiff
Prostate Health contains Lycopene, the red color compound of tomatoes
and standardized Saw Palmetto extract.
Schiff uses a supercritical fluid extract (CO2) method to concentrate
the lipid fractions of Saw Palmetto berries without use of harsh solvents.
Medications
are the most common way to control mild to moderate symptoms of BPH.
They're the preferred way to treat BPH, unless your condition is severe
enough to require surgery.
Medications
significantly reduce major symptoms for about two-thirds of men who
try them. If medications don't work, a minimally invasive treatment
or surgery may be the best option.
The two
types of medications currently used to treat BPH are alpha blockers
and enzyme inhibitors.
Alpha
blockers relax muscles around your bladder neck and make it easier
to urinate. Four alpha blockers have been approved by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia):
Terazosin (Hytrin)
Doxazosin (Cardura)
Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
All four
alpha blockers are equally effective. Terazosin and doxazosin cost
slightly less and tend to cause low blood pressure more often .
Enzyme
(5-alpha-reductase) inhibitors shrink the prostate gland. Two have
been approved by the FDA for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia):
Finasteride (Proscar)
Dutasteride (Avodart)
Both drugs are equally effective. They cost more than alpha blockers.
