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How Do I Know If I Have To Take Avodart My Whole Life?
Question: Hi. I am 67 years old male in good general health. Three years back, I had BPH. I have been taking Avodart 3 times a week and a natural prostate supplement which has stanol and some vitamins. It is working ok but my prostate has not really shrunk much.
1) Do I have to keep taking avodart for the rest of my life?
2)Is there any other combination of medicines that I should try?
3)Are there any surgical methods that will fix BPH without any risk to the penis. I am afraid of methods where you go in from the front hole in the penis.
Thank you.
1) Do I have to keep taking avodart for the rest of my life?
2)Is there any other combination of medicines that I should try?
3)Are there any surgical methods that will fix BPH without any risk to the penis. I am afraid of methods where you go in from the front hole in the penis.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Treatment for BPH depends upon many factors
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query .
Based on the facts that you have posted you seem to have been obstructive voiding symptoms due to BPH and have been taking Avodart thrice a week .
At the outset I would like to state that BPH is a ageing process and size of the prostate does not regress with medicine .
The modality of treatment is depends upon the following factors
1) Size of the prostate as detected on Ultrasound Scanning
2) Severity of symptoms most important being nocturnal frequency of urination (Nocturia)
3) Urine outflow as determined by Uroflowmetry
4) Quality of life that has been affected by BPH
5) Associated UTI
6) Amount of urine that remains in bladder after passing urine what is called as Post Void Residual urine (PR)
As regards your fear about surgery for BPH .All the recent modalities of treatment for BPH involve passing endoscopes through penis and there is no risk involved to penis .
I would suggest you to consult qualified Urologist for clinical and digital rectal examination and get following basic tests done to confirm the diagnosis.
1) Urine routine and culture.
2) Ultrasound scanning of abdomen and pelvis
3) Serum PSA.
He would be the best judge to decide the modality of treatment .
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions,I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.
Treatment for BPH depends upon many factors
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query .
Based on the facts that you have posted you seem to have been obstructive voiding symptoms due to BPH and have been taking Avodart thrice a week .
At the outset I would like to state that BPH is a ageing process and size of the prostate does not regress with medicine .
The modality of treatment is depends upon the following factors
1) Size of the prostate as detected on Ultrasound Scanning
2) Severity of symptoms most important being nocturnal frequency of urination (Nocturia)
3) Urine outflow as determined by Uroflowmetry
4) Quality of life that has been affected by BPH
5) Associated UTI
6) Amount of urine that remains in bladder after passing urine what is called as Post Void Residual urine (PR)
As regards your fear about surgery for BPH .All the recent modalities of treatment for BPH involve passing endoscopes through penis and there is no risk involved to penis .
I would suggest you to consult qualified Urologist for clinical and digital rectal examination and get following basic tests done to confirm the diagnosis.
1) Urine routine and culture.
2) Ultrasound scanning of abdomen and pelvis
3) Serum PSA.
He would be the best judge to decide the modality of treatment .
Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions,I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your response.
I have been seeing a urologist.My quality of life is ok wth the medicines I am taking. Assuming that I do not want to have surgery done, my questions are:
1) Is it ok to take Avodart thrice a week for say 20 years?
2) Are there serious side effects of Avodart if taken for say 20 years?
3) Is there any other medicines that are worth trying?
Thank you.
I have been seeing a urologist.My quality of life is ok wth the medicines I am taking. Assuming that I do not want to have surgery done, my questions are:
1) Is it ok to take Avodart thrice a week for say 20 years?
2) Are there serious side effects of Avodart if taken for say 20 years?
3) Is there any other medicines that are worth trying?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
One has to monitor the situation frequently
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .
Avodart arrests the further increase in size of the prostate .But all the drugs that are being prescribed for BPH may not have the same effect after few months or years hence may not be as effective after few years so it is always advised to check the status of size of prostate ,at frequent intervals or when the situations demands depending upon the severity of symptoms .One can not rely on only one drug nor any single modality of treatment life long .
Loss of libido ( Sexual desire ) and risk of cancer of prostate are few known side effects of Avodart
Tomsulosin once daily is being prescribed in BPH ,It helps to improve urine flow but does not reduce size of Prostate
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.
One has to monitor the situation frequently
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .
Avodart arrests the further increase in size of the prostate .But all the drugs that are being prescribed for BPH may not have the same effect after few months or years hence may not be as effective after few years so it is always advised to check the status of size of prostate ,at frequent intervals or when the situations demands depending upon the severity of symptoms .One can not rely on only one drug nor any single modality of treatment life long .
Loss of libido ( Sexual desire ) and risk of cancer of prostate are few known side effects of Avodart
Tomsulosin once daily is being prescribed in BPH ,It helps to improve urine flow but does not reduce size of Prostate
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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