Are you a man over 50? If so, you’re likely familiar with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition that wreaks havoc on your daily routine with bothersome urinary symptoms.
From the annoyance of frequent trips to the bathroom to the frustration of struggling to urinate, BPH can throw a wrench into your well-being. Fortunately, there are effective solutions such as Flomax to alleviate your symptoms so you can regain control over your life.
Continue reading as a prostate specialist shares what you need to know about medication for treating BPH, answers, “Where can I get Flomax?” and discusses alternatives to medication, such as a minimally invasive treatment for BPH called prostate artery embolization.
If you have questions about Flomax or want to learn about other options for treating BPH, contact Prostate Specialists of Miami at (786) 500-5347 to schedule your consultation.
What is Prostate Hyperplasia, and What are the Symptoms?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common ailment afflicting many aging men. It’s characterized by non-cancerous prostate gland enlargement. As the gland grows, it puts pressure on the urethra and the bladder, disrupting urination.
Although the precise cause remains unclear, BPH is associated with aging and hormonal fluctuations. The prevalence of BPH rises markedly with increased age, with men over 40 being particularly susceptible.
An estimated 50% of men exhibit BPH symptoms by age 60, which escalates to 90% by age 80. Other risk factors include a family history of BPH, obesity, and insufficient physical activity.
BPH symptom severity varies. You might experience frequent night-time urination, urination hesitancy, weak urine flow, and feelings of incomplete bladder emptying. More serious symptoms could include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and impaired kidney function.
Considering BPH’s high prevalence and potential impact on your quality of life, effective management, such as Flomax medication, can be beneficial.
What is Flomax?
Flomax, or tamsulosin, an alpha-blocker developed by Yamanouchi Pharma and FDA-approved in 1997, has become a cornerstone in managing BPH symptoms. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, facilitating urination, and reducing BPH symptoms. It doesn’t, however, shrink the prostate or alter the condition’s course.
Flomax is administered orally once daily, and its effect is dose-dependent, with a controlled-release formulation available for steady medication levels.
Since its inception, Flomax has proved effective and safe in both clinical trials and real-world use, solidifying its status as a leading BPH treatment.
Flomax offers an avenue towards a more comfortable, manageable daily life if you’re struggling with BPH symptoms.
Side Effects of Flomax
Flomax, like other medications, can trigger side effects ranging from mild to severe, typically due to its intended physiological effects. The most commonly reported include the following:
- Dizziness, often from blood pressure drops when changing positions (orthostatic hypotension)
- Abnormal ejaculation characterized by decreased or absent semen during ejaculation
- Nasal congestion
Rare but severe side effects include allergic reactions, priapism (prolonged, painful erection), and intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, a potential cataract surgery complication. Immediate medical attention should be sought if severe side effects or allergic reactions occur.
It’s essential to discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider before starting Flomax. If bothersome or persistent side effects arise, seeking medical advice is crucial.
Never stop Flomax without consulting your healthcare provider, who may adjust the dosage or switch the medication.
Alternatives to Flomax
Although widely effective for many BPH patients, Flomax isn’t the only solution. Alternative treatments span from other medications to surgical procedures. Other alpha-blockers, like doxazosin, terazosin, and alfuzosin, operate similarly to Flomax by relaxing prostate and bladder neck muscles.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors, including finasteride and dutasteride, offer a different approach, shrinking the prostate by obstructing the hormonal changes fueling its growth. Combining an alpha-blocker with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor may be an option for men with larger prostates and more significant symptoms.
Minimally invasive procedures such as Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) have emerged as alternatives. In PAE, tiny particles are injected to block the arteries supplying the prostate, leading to gland shrinkage and symptom relief.
This outpatient procedure often entails shorter recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery.
Surgical interventions like Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) or Prostatectomy might be necessary for more severe cases, despite their invasive nature and longer recovery periods.
Choosing an appropriate treatment depends on several factors, including symptom severity, prostate size, other health conditions, and your preference. Discuss these alternatives with your healthcare provider to identify your best course of action.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage BPH Symptoms
Besides medications and medical procedures, lifestyle modifications can contribute to managing your BPH symptoms. While these changes may not shrink your prostate, they can help alleviate symptoms and enhance your quality of life. Here are some effective strategies:
- Diet has a substantial impact on BPH symptoms. Certain foods and beverages like caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and citrus fruits might intensify urinary symptoms. By identifying and limiting these triggers, one can better manage BPH symptoms.
- Fluid management, particularly reducing evening fluid intake, is useful in managing nocturia, a common BPH symptom. Maintaining appropriate daytime hydration is essential for overall health.
- Regular exercise aids in maintaining a healthy weight and decreasing BPH risk, given the established link between obesity and severe urinary symptoms. A regular workout routine and a balanced diet can mitigate BPH symptoms.
- Pelvic floor or Kegel exercises strengthen bladder-supporting muscles and enhance bladder control.
- Timed voiding or urinating on a set schedule trains your bladder to control urges. Bladder training aims to gradually extend the time between bathroom visits, increasing bladder urine-holding capacity.
- Double voiding, or urinating, pausing for a few minutes, and then urinating again, ensures the bladder is fully emptied, reducing frequency and urgency symptoms.
Discussing these lifestyle adjustments with your healthcare provider is vital to ascertain their appropriateness for your BPH and overall health.
Your provider can offer guidance on implementing these changes effectively and suggest additional strategies for BPH symptom management.
Where Can I Get Flomax?
If you decide on medication such as Flomax, you’ll need a prescription as it’s unavailable over the counter. Once prescribed, you can obtain Flomax from several sources.
- Local pharmacies, both standalone and within larger stores, are common sources. Pharmacies may also offer home delivery services, which are especially beneficial for patients with mobility issues.
- Online pharmacies, thanks to technological advancements, have gained popularity. They provide the convenience of filling prescriptions online, with medications mailed directly to your residence. This proves particularly convenient for patients with regular prescriptions.
- In certain situations, healthcare providers might supply Flomax samples, primarily for first-time users. This enables patients to test their response before committing to a full prescription.
Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions while taking Flomax, and maintain all scheduled appointments for progress monitoring and dosage adjustment, if necessary.
Act Now to Manage Your BPH and Contact a “Prostate Specialist Near Me”
Living with BPH can be challenging, yet gaining knowledge about the condition and medications like Flomax allows you to actively manage your health. Flomax has improved the quality of life for numerous men dealing with BPH symptoms and might be an option for you.
If you’re uncomfortable with medication, a minimally non-invasive treatment like PAE is another option. If you’d like more information about PAE, don’t search online for “prostate artery embolization near me,” contact Prostate Specialists of Miami instead.
When you choose Prostate Specialists of Miami, you’ll meet our lead physician, interventional radiologist Dr. Adam S. Gropper. Dr. Gropper has over 20 years of experience treating venous and vascular disorders, including BPH.
He has served as an Associate Professor at FIU Medical School and recently retired as Chief of Radiology at Jackson North Medical Center after 10 years of service.
Call (786) 500-5347 or complete our online form today to schedule your consultation to get relief from your BPH symptoms.
If you’d like to know if you’re a good candidate for a minimally invasive treatment for BPH called PAE, take our FREE 3-Minute Quiz to determine your International Prostate Symptom Score and see if you’re eligible for PAE.
Remember that any health journey demands time and patience. Consult with your healthcare provider to ensure your treatment is on track. Do not let BPH dictate your life – empower yourself with knowledge and take action!
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Prostate Specialists of Miami
15400 Biscayne Boulevard #104
Aventura, FL 33160
(786) 500-5347
https://prostatespecialistmiami.com/
