Living with BPH? Looking for non surgical solutions? Okay well you may have heard of a drug called Flomax. I mean how could you not? It’s been used to provide relief from BPH symptoms for some time now.

And it is true. Alpha blockers like Flomax have been widely used to treat ailments like enlarged prostates. These drugs work by relieving the muscle tension around the prostate and bladder. They provide relief from problems with urination however they do not affect the size of the prostate unlike enzyme inhibitors. You see, alpha blockers are used to treat mild to moderate BPH. Their fast-acting formulation gives significant improvement within a few days for many or within weeks for others.

Okay so like the ads on TV suggest Flomax is a widely used successfully by guys with BPH. So what?

Well there are some nagging side effects associated with this drug you might want to be aware of. The most common being low blood pressure, fainting spells, dizziness, headache, stuffy nose and the like. However these usually diminish over time.

Moreover those already dealing with low blood pressure conditions should avoid Flomax altogether most likely.

The potential of successful treatment of BPH with this drug should take into account the degree of prostate enlargement. Those with more serious enlargements will most likely improve using combination treatments using both alpha blockers and enzyme inhibitors.

Also Flomax is not necessarily your best bet. At least not the cheapest bet. Other cheaper, safer and at least as effective drugs are available. For instance the generic drug Doxazosin falls into that category. But since it is not supported by a big advertising budget it is not as well known.

BPH is a common condition among men. This is a huge market for drug makers and Flomax is the most popular brand. So much so even those who suffer from mild prostate enlargement have been clamoring for it. This results in increased health care cost as the cheaper alternatives have been ignored.

Now that we know some of the dirty little secrets about Flomax, how do you decide what to do in your case?

Obviously in consultation with your doctor you can try cutting back on the coffee and alcohol. You can limit fluid intake in the evening prior to bedtime to reduce the need to get up during the night. And for sure be open to lesser known but possibly just as effect alternatives.

About the Author: Leonard Z Sennish shares more about the typical symptoms of enlarged prostate at the popular website ProblemProstate.com. Whether it’s PSA results, preferred treatments for prostate cancer, or ways to keep your prostate healthy, you’ll find the help you need and more at that site.