Effects of the aromatase inhibitor testolactone on human benign prostatic hyperplasia

The aromatase inhibitor testolactone was used for endocrine treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Thirteen patients (mean age 79 years) with complete urinary retention (BPH stage IV) without improvement after 4 weeks of bladder drainage by suprapubic catheter were treated with testolactone 100 mg, b.i.d., for 6 months. Nine men (mean age 80 years) with identical conditions who did not receive hormonal therapy served as controls. Results, treatment group: In 7 patients spontaneous micturation reoccurred after an average treatment period of 8 weeks (group A); 6 patients continued to need the catheter (group B). Prostatic volume decreased in all patients, and an average volume reduction of 26% was found in group A, whereas in group B the decrease averaged 15%. Finally, the testosterone/estradiol ratio significantly increased in all patients during treatment.

Prostatic volume did not change nor did spontaneous micturation occur during the whole observation period.