Insights & Discussion
Pumpkin seed oil can alleviate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia with no side effects, though not as efficiently as tamsulosin.
In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, patients aged 50 years or above suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia were included. These patients were divided into two groups, with one group being administered tamsulosin nightly and the other receiving pumpkin seed oil twice a day. Variables such as age, weight, height and body mass index of the patients were taken into account. The international prostate symptom score was noted for each patient at the start, then after one and three months into the treatment. Other factors recorded include the quality of life associated with BPH, prostate-specific antigen serum, prostate and postvoid residual volume and maximum urine flow. Information regarding any drug side effects was also recorded.
Following a comparison of the two groups, it was observed that there was no significant difference in principal variables at any point during the trial. However, both groups saw a notable reduction in the international prostate symptom score and an improvement in quality of life. The decrease was comparatively more significant in the tamsulosin group after one and three months. Patients administered pumpkin seed oil experienced no side effects, unlike those in the tamsulosin group who experienced dizziness, headaches, retrograde ejaculation and erythema with pruritus.
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Chinese herbal medicine can significantly reduce the risks of complications and need for surgery associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
2022 International Journal of Urology Effects of Chinese herbal medicine in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan Ou SC, Huang ST, Lin MC, Chen WC, Huang CP, Lin HJ
Cohort Study Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Chinese Herbal Medicine Dan Shen
The methodology of the retrospective cohort study involved analyzing data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, covering the period between 2001 to 2013. 4142 patients newly diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into Chinese herbal medicine users and non-users. To compare these groups, they employed 1:1 propensity score matching, and the risk of complications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazard model.
The results showed that during the study period, the risk of complications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was considerably lower in the Chinese herbal medicine group compared to the non-Chinese herbal medicine group, even when other variables were controlled for. The Chinese herbal medicine users had a significantly lower risk of urinary tract infection and urine retention. Plus, the Chinese herbal medicine users experienced a lower incidence rate of surgery related to benign prostatic hyperplasia and enjoyed a longer surgery-free interval than non-Chinese herbal medicine users. Among the Chinese herbal medicine, Salviae miltiorrhizae and Ji-Sheng-Shen-Qi-Wan were prescribed the most by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
Pumpkin seed extract treatment could potentially offer symptomatic relief for patients experiencing moderate lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia.
2022 Clinical Phytoscience Beneficial effects of pumpkin seed soft extract on lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a meta-analysis of two randomized, placebo-controlled trials over 12 months Vahlensieck W, Heim S, Patz B, Sahin K
Meta-Analysis Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Pumpkin Seed
The study methodology involved a meta-analysis of two separate studies that were randomized and placebo-controlled, focusing on the effectiveness of pumpkin seed extract in addressing urinary tract symptoms indicative of benign prostate hyperplasia. The participants included in these studies were those patients whose International Prostate Symptom Score was 13 points or higher at the baseline. The method of analysis involved assessing the response rates of patients and the improvement in prostate symptom scores at a 12-month follow-up.
The discussion of results revealed that the response rates in the group receiving pumpkin seed extract were marginally higher than that of the placebo group, giving pumpkin seed extract a slight edge. Additionally, there was a minor difference observed in the change from the baseline to 12-month Prostate Symptom Score in favour of pumpkin seed extract. The meta-analysis in general indicates that a treatment involving pumpkin seed extract may result in symptomatic relief for patients suffering from moderate urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia.
Lower testosterone levels in aging men correlate with a larger prostate volume.
2021 Scientific Reports Relationship between serum total testosterone and prostate volume in aging men Xia BW, Zhao SC, Chen ZP, Chen C, Liu TS, Yang F, et al.
Cohort Study Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Prostate Volume Testosterone
The study analysed the relationship between testosterone levels and prostate size in aging, overtly healthy males. Data was collected from 416 men who underwent routine health exams and these individuals were revisited after a span of four years. Variables not only included testosterone levels and prostate size, but also examined associated obesity-related factors such as waist circumference, body mass index, and insulin levels.
The analysis focused on drawing correlations between various factors. Specifically, comparisons were made between men with lower testosterone levels and larger prostate sizes, and those with normal testosterone levels. Both initial prostate sizes and the change in size over the four-year period were evaluated in conjunction with testosterone levels. The role of testosterone levels was further intricately reviewed by adjusting for the age factor, to understand how this relationship may change over time.
In investigating the results, it was observed that men with lower testosterone did tend to have significantly larger prostates, and higher levels of obesity-related factors compared to those with normal testosterone levels. It was also found that there was a negative correlation between testosterone levels and prostate size, that is, as testosterone increased, prostate size showed a substantial decreasing trend.
Moxibustion was found to be an effective and safe treatment improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
2018 The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine Moxibustion for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Bae G, Lee S, Hong J, Lee I, Kim S, Choi J, et al.
Systematic Review Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Moxibustion
The study used a randomized controlled trial method, comparing the effects of moxibustion and placebo treatment on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Participants were divided into two groups: one that received the moxibustion treatment on specific acupuncture points, and another placebo group that received a sham treatment mimicking moxibustion without therapeutic effect. Outcome measures assessed were International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life index, and occurrence of adverse events.
The study found significant improvements in the moxibustion group in regards to the measured prostate symptom score and urinary flow rate when compared to the placebo group. The quality of life index was also significantly higher for the moxibustion group. Moreover, adverse events were rare and mild in both participant groups.
Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds can effectively reduce obstructive urinary symptoms in patients dealing with symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy, performing as well as saw palmetto and prazosin.
2018 Evidence-Based Practice Do pumpkin seeds or pumpkin supplements reduce symptoms of BPH? Edwards R, Shadiack A
Randomised Controlled Trial Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
In the methodology of this research, the scientists observed and compared the effects of pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto and prazosin on patients suffering from symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy. The main purpose of the experiment was to determine which substances could alleviate obstructive urinary symptoms to the greatest extent. Effects of these substances were noted on a consistent basis to accurately gauge their efficacy.
In the discussion of results, it was found that both pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds exhibited a notable reduction in obstructive urinary symptoms among the patients. Pumpkin seed extract was observed to not perform better than placebo, implying it didn't contribute significantly to symptom relief. Interestingly, pumpkin seed oil was found to be on par with saw palmetto and prazosin in terms of alleviating BPH-related symptoms. This discovery positions pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds as potential natural solutions for addressing urinary symptoms linked to benign prostatic hypertrophy.
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