Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Glenn S Gerber1

  • 1Section of Urology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 6038, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. ggerber@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu

Current Urology Reports
|August 1, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

No Effect of Music on Anxiety and Pain During Transrectal Prostate Biopsies: A Randomized Trial.

Urology·2018
Same author

Prostate cancer detection following diagnosis of atypical small acinar proliferation.

The Canadian journal of urology·2017
Same author

Endoscopic Evidence That Randall's Plaque is Associated with Surface Erosion of the Renal Papilla.

Journal of endourology·2016
Same author

Hospital-Based Analysis of Trends and Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Pyelolithotomy.

Journal of endourology·2016
Same author

Empiric antibiotics for an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level: a randomised, prospective, controlled multi-institutional trial.

BJU international·2013
Same author

Management of ureteral calculi.

Journal of endourology·2010
Same journal

Effective Mentorship in Urology Fellowship Training: Qualities, Models, and Equity.

Current urology reports·2026
Same journal

Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

Current urology reports·2026
Same journal

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms as an Indicator of Occult Neurologic Disease: A System-first Framework for Urologic Practice.

Current urology reports·2026
Same journal

Association Between Ambient Temperature and Urolithiasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Current urology reports·2026
Same journal

Is Open Partial Nephrectomy Still an Option in the Robotic Era?

Current urology reports·2026
Same journal

Artificial Intelligence in Urologic Documentation: A Review of Emerging Capabilities and the Ongoing Need for Human Oversight.

Current urology reports·2026
See all related articles

Phytotherapy, including saw palmetto, offers symptom relief for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) beyond placebo. Further research is needed due to product standardization issues.

Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Urology
  • Pharmacognosy

Background:

  • Phytotherapy is increasingly popular for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in American men.
  • Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is the most frequently used herbal agent, often alongside Pygeum africanum and beta-sitosterol.
  • Lack of product standardization hinders a full understanding of phytotherapy's efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on the use and effectiveness of phytotherapeutic agents for BPH.
  • To highlight the potential benefits and limitations of herbal treatments in managing BPH symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trials and histologic evidence concerning phytotherapy for BPH.
  • Analysis of the impact of herbal agents like saw palmetto on prostate tissue and symptoms.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Well-conducted clinical trials suggest phytotherapeutic agents provide symptom improvement in BPH patients, exceeding placebo effects.
  • Histologic studies indicate saw palmetto may induce prostate atrophy and epithelial contraction.
  • Despite variability, evidence supports the efficacy of certain phytotherapeutic agents for BPH.

Conclusions:

  • Phytotherapy, particularly saw palmetto, shows promise in improving BPH symptoms through mechanisms beyond placebo.
  • Physicians should be open to and educated about herbal therapies to counsel patients effectively.
  • Standardization of herbal products remains a critical area for future research to ensure consistent outcomes.