Patient guide
Enlarged prostate treatment without surgery in Hyderabad: foods, natural remedies and what actually works
Can an enlarged prostate be treated without surgery? What foods, herbs and habits really do, why saw palmetto did not beat a dummy tablet in trials, and the non-surgical procedure (PAE) that shrinks the prostate. Hyderabad guide.
Treatment without surgery: what works
- Tablets firstCut the risk of the condition worsening
- PAE: no cuttingShrinks the prostate through its blood supply
- Symptom score 21.8 to 11.2Two years after PAE, in 405 men
- Local anaesthesiaUsually a day-case
Can an enlarged prostate be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many men are never operated on. Mild symptoms are watched, moderate symptoms are usually treated with tablets, and for men who still have symptoms, there are procedures that do not involve cutting the prostate. The best choice depends on how bad your symptoms are, how big your prostate is and your general health.
Do foods or natural remedies shrink the prostate?
Honestly, no food or herb has been proven to shrink an enlarged prostate. The most-used herbal remedy is saw palmetto. A large review pooled 32 trials with 5,666 men and found that, in the best long trials, saw palmetto was no better than a dummy tablet at improving urine symptoms. In one 72-week trial, 42.6% of men on saw palmetto improved, against 44.2% on the dummy [1].
The same goes for most supplements and "prostate cures" sold online. They can interact with your medicines, and relying on them can delay proper treatment.
What habits do help with symptoms?
Some everyday changes can ease symptoms, even though they do not shrink the gland. A review of 111 studies found that drinking more fluid and more caffeine goes with passing urine more often and with urgency, in men and women [2]. The overall evidence was thin, mostly from observation, and for food and tobacco the results were inconsistent [2]. Sensible steps:
- Drink less in the evening, and cut down on tea, coffee and fizzy drinks in the late afternoon
- Go to the toilet before you leave home or go to bed
- Stay active and keep your weight healthy
- Do not try supplements without telling your doctor
Which tablets help, and do they work?
Tablets are the usual first treatment, and they do work. In a trial of 3,047 men, doxazosin cut the risk of the condition getting worse by 39%, finasteride by 34%, and the two together by 66%, compared with a dummy tablet [4]. Read our guide on BPH tablets for how long to take them and the side effects.
What if tablets are not enough? A procedure without cutting
If tablets are not enough, cause side effects, or you want to avoid surgery, prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a proven option. A thin tube is guided to the small arteries that feed the prostate, and tiny particles reduce the blood flow. The prostate gradually shrinks and the urine pipe opens up. Nothing is cut or removed. It is usually done under local anaesthesia, and most men go home the same day.
In an international study of 405 men with bothersome symptoms, the average symptom score fell from 21.8 to 9.3 at 3 months and was 11.2 at 24 months [3]. PAE is not right for every man, which is why we check your scans and health at the consultation first.
Find out where you stand
Take our free prostate symptom score below. It takes about two minutes and shows whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. If they are moderate or severe, you can share the result with our team and book a consultation in Hyderabad.
Frequently asked questions
- How can I reduce an enlarged prostate without surgery?
- Tablets are the usual first step. If they do not help enough, prostate artery embolization (PAE) shrinks the prostate without cutting, usually under local anaesthesia. Habits like drinking less in the evening ease symptoms but do not shrink the gland.
- Does saw palmetto work for an enlarged prostate?
- In a review of 32 trials with 5,666 men, saw palmetto was not better than a dummy tablet for urine symptoms [1].
- What foods should I avoid with an enlarged prostate?
- No food has been proven to shrink or grow the prostate. Drinking a lot of fluid and caffeine is linked with passing urine more often, so cut back in the evening [2].
- Is there a non-surgical procedure for an enlarged prostate?
- Yes. Prostate artery embolization (PAE) works without cutting and is usually a day-case under local anaesthesia. In 405 men, the average symptom score fell from 21.8 to 11.2 two years later [3].
- Where can I get non-surgical prostate treatment in Hyderabad?
- Dr. Nagateja Bonala offers prostate artery embolization at Clinic Seven in Kukatpally and at the Interventional Radiology OPD in Banjara Hills.
Check your prostate symptom score
References
- Tacklind J, et al. Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. Read the source
- Bradley CS, et al. Evidence of the Impact of Diet, Fluid Intake, Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Systematic Review. J Urol. 2017. Read the source
- Sapoval MR, et al. Two-Year Outcomes of Prostatic Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: An International, Multicenter, Prospective Study. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2024. Read the source
- McConnell JD, et al. The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med. 2003. Read the source
Want to discuss your options?
Speak with the Clinic Seven team.