[Drug therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

BPH patients with Vahlensieck stage II or III disease are suitable for drug treatment. The points of attack are reduction of testosterone, conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, conversion of testosterone to estrogen using GnRH analogues, antiandrogens and alpha reductase inhibitors or aromatose inhibitors. Furthermore a reduction in obstruction is achieved through the use of phytopharmaceuticals containing 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors. At present, Curcurbitae pepo seeds, Urtica dioica root, Pollinis siccae extract and Sabal serrulata seed extract are approved for the treatment of prostatic diseases in Germany. The use of alpha-1-sympathicolytic treatment may reduce muscular tone in the prostate. Combination of the various modes of action may also offer an effective form of treatment.