THE IMPORTANCE OF A 5-ALPHA-REDUCTASE INH IBITOR IN THERAPY FOR BPH WITH MILD-TO-MODERATE SYMPTOMS

Medical therapy in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyper plasia has changed very much during the last few years. Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which inhibits the predominant intrapr ostatic isoenzyme II of 5-alpha-reductase and therefore DHT, which is - among other factors - essential for the physiological growth of the prostate. However, it also has an important influence on developing BP H. It was shown in several studies that finasteride can increase urina ry flow rates, decrease the prostate volume, and improve the symptom s core and PSA value. The objective improvement in urinary flow rates wa s only moderate, but better results were obtained in the improvement o f patient symptoms. Large multicenter studies will be conducted to see if the efficacy of treatment can be improved by combination therapy w ith alpha-blockers.