Enlarged prostate treatments evaluated

COLOGNE, Germany, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The treatment choice for an enlarged prostate needs careful consideration, but new surgical techniques are often overpromoted, researchers in Germany said.

For many men, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate are just annoying, but for some men, an enlarged prostate means going to the toilet so often that a good night's sleep has become a thing of the past.

One in 5 men in their 50s are affected by an enlarged prostate -- or "benign prostatic hyperplasia" -- but the majority of men in their 70s will have symptoms.

The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care in Cologne, Germany, evaluated treatments and concluded prostate surgery can be very effective, but the adverse effects are a major concern for many men.

"Some of the newer techniques might have fewer adverse effects, but they may be so much less effective that the symptoms return, as bad as ever, within a couple of years," Peter Sawicki said in a statement.

About 3 out of every 10 men in Europe handle their symptoms without medication or surgery, perhaps 1 in 10 will have surgery and the rest will use medications, including herbal medicines.

The Institute's Web site at informedhealthonline.org provides more information.