Herbal treatment for BPH proven ineffective

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, as the enlarged prostate condition is commonly known, can be treated relatively easily. However, men should make sure they are seeking the most effective treatments. While a prescription to buy Flomax can quickly improve urinary function, there are many other supposed therapies out there that are less effective.

For example, a team of researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine recently found that saw palmetto extract, a supplement commonly recommended for BPH, actually does little to assuage the symptoms of the condition.

The team assessed the efficacy of saw palmetto by administering either an active supplement containing the extract or a placebo to more than 300 men being treated for BPH. The researchers found little difference between the prostate health of either group.

"Now we know that even very high doses of saw palmetto make absolutely no difference," said Gerald Andriole, who led the study. "Men should not spend their money on this herbal supplement as a way to reduce symptoms of enlarged prostate because it clearly does not work any better than a sugar pill."