Medical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Where do we stand?

Male lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently due to benign prostatic enlargement. Medical therapy is strongly recommended in patients with moderate to severe symptoms. Lower urinary tract symptoms may require a different medical approach using drugs with different mechanisms of action. Alpha-1 blockers, muscarinic receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are the most frequently used drugs. 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors are commonly prescribed to reduce prostate volume and to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia progression. Currently, medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic enlargement can be tailored according to different symptom characteristics and severity, and to different patient comorbidities and preferences. For this reason, the decision-making process should be based on an accurate patient counselling with detailed clarification of potential benefits and, above all, potential side effects of different drugs. This non-systematic review of the literature presents an update of the current options for medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic enlargement, helping urologists in the decision-making and counselling process.