alpha-Blockers for Treatment of the Prostatitis Syndromes

The prostatitis syndromes are among the most common and frustrating clinical challenges for urologists in outpatient practice. Available treatment, especially for the chronic prostatitis syndromes, is poor, with no standard therapy producing significant cure rates. alpha-Blocker therapy has been advocated (with various levels of evidence) as a treatment modality for all categories of the prostatitis syndromes. This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of alpha-blocker therapy in patients with prostatitis. Further trials of longer duration, perhaps employing combination therapies, are indicated to better evaluate the role of alpha-blockers in the management of the prostatitis syndromes.