[FAQ] Are there supplements that help with prostate inflammation?

Important: This FAQ post is for informational purposes only. This is not medical advice. If you are having any health issues, please consult with your doctor.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. The prostate goes through two main growth periods as a man ages. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. The second phase of growth begins around age 25 and continues during most of a man's life. As you age, your prostate may get larger. Benign prostatic hyperplasia often occurs with the second growth phase.

Normal and Enlarged Prostate

Normal vs Enlarged Prostate

As the prostate enlarges, it can then squeeze down on your urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty completely, leaving some urine in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and urinary retention--the inability to empty the bladder completely--cause many of the problems associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH is benign. This means it is not cancer. It does not cause nor lead to cancer. But BPH and cancer can happen at the same time.

BPH is common in aging men. About half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH. Up to 90% of men over age 80 have BPH.

The Best-Studied Prostate Support Supplements

  • Beta-sitosterol
  • Pygeum
  • Rye grass
  • Saw palmetto

Beta-sitosterol: This is a substance found in many plants. It doesn’t affect the size of the prostate, but it may help your bladder empty and give you a stronger urine flow. It may improve other BPH symptoms as well.

Studies with Harzol and Azuprostat, two supplements that contain beta-sitosterol from South African stargrass, have shown particular promise.

Pygeum: This comes from the bark of the African plum tree. It seems to help some men with BPH wake up less at night to pee, go fewer times during the day, have a stronger urine stream, and empty their bladders better.

Rye pollen  extract: This substance may improve a number of BPH symptoms, such as:
  • Dribbling after you finish peeing
  • Having to pee often throughout the day
  • Painful urination
  • Weak urine stream
  • Urgent need to pee

Some research shows that it may also shrink the prostate, give you a better flow, and help you empty your bladder.

Saw palmetto: This is a short tree that grows in North America. Some small studies have shown a benefit. However, several large studies do not show that saw palmetto reduces the size of the prostate or eases urinary symptoms. Men may try it hoping to relieve common BPH symptoms such as:

  • You have a hard time getting pee to start
  • You must go often throughout the day
  • A weak stream
  • An urgent need to urinate

It may also help with waking up at night to go to the bathroom and feeling like you still have to pee after you just went.

For men who’ve had success with saw palmetto, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to see results.

Supplements That Show Promise

Other supplements show hopeful signs of helping in studies so far, but there’s less research on these than the more common options.

Pumpkin seeds: These and pumpkin seed oil extract seem to help with BPH symptoms and may shrink the size of the prostate. It may also be helpful when used along with other supplements such as saw palmetto.

Stinging nettle: This is a type of herb, and its root may help with urine flow and waking a lot at night to pee. It’s sometimes used along with other supplements to treat BPH symptoms.

Supplements Where It's Too Early to Determine Efficacy

Then there are the supplements where it’s just too early to know whether they’re useful. Early studies look good, but doctors need much more data on them.

Some of these include:

  • Aqueous garlic (garlic extract in water)
  • Flaxseed
  • Milk thistle
  • Powdered, dried cranberry
  • Quercetin (found in apples, tea, and red grapes, for example)
  • Red clover
  • Selenium

Products that have the research-backed ingredients:

Here are links to some products on Amazon.com that contain some of the best, research-backed ingredients:

Again, this FAQ is for informational purposes only. If you are having prostate issues, please go see your doctor as soon as possible.

We hope this helps!

-The Fit Father Project Team