An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can cause urinary and sexual difficulties. However, several natural remedies and lifestyle changes can slow or stop prostate growth.

Prostate enlargement happens when an accumulation of androgens prevents prostatic cell death and promotes cell proliferation, increasing the size of the prostate gland.

BPH is not usually a severe health threat, although it can affect a person’s quality of life.

In this article, we detail 10 natural remedies for an enlarged prostate and discuss its causes and risk factors.

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The severity of a person’s BPH symptoms will determine their treatment options. If the condition is negatively affecting the person’s quality of life, doctors may prescribe medications, such as alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or even surgical intervention.

Alpha-blockers help reduce BPH symptoms by relaxing muscles in the urethra and the neck of the bladder, which can improve urine flow.

The drug 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is an androgen that prevents the death of prostate cells and promotes their proliferation. Through these effects, it increases the size of the prostate gland. Inhibiting the production of this androgen can help slow or stop prostate growth.

Learn more about BPH, including its symptoms and medical treatments.

However, some people may wish to try natural remedies for BPH. Those wishing to try these remedies should consult a doctor or an integrative medicine physician first, if possible.

1. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Saw palmetto is a palm native to the southeastern United States. The extract of this plant is a popular herbal supplement for the treatment of BPH.

Saw palmetto is an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the number of estrogen and androgen (DHT) receptors.

ResearchTrusted Source has linked the daily consumption of saw palmetto extract with a reduction in BPH symptoms. The plant extract likely has this effect because it inhibits the production of DHT, a hormone that may play a role in causing prostate growthTrusted Source.

However, a 2012 reviewTrusted Source involving more than 5,600 participants concluded that no significant difference existed between saw palmetto and a placebo in treating the symptoms of BPH. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthTrusted Source has since reiterated similar findings.

Learn more about saw palmetto for BPH.

2. Rye grass pollen (Secale cereale)

Some people use herbal supplements made from rye grass pollen to treat BPH symptoms and reduce prostate inflammation.

Cernilton is a common branded rye grass pollen pharmaceutical. This medication may be effectiveTrusted Source in slowing or stopping prostate growth.

Rye grass extract contains substances that can inhibit prostatic cell growth and reduce inflammation, according to older studiesTrusted Source. In turn, this may help improve BPH symptoms, such as frequent urination and nocturia.

However, despite its popularity, contemporary research has not shown Cernilton to influence BPH symptoms in any large-scale scientific studies. Therefore, further research is necessary to establish the efficacy of this natural remedy.

3. Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle contains similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds as pygeum and saw palmetto. In fact, natural treatments for various urinary disorders often use nettle root in combination with saw palmetto.

A 2019 review found that nettle root extracts can effectively reduce BPH symptoms and improve the overall quality of life of people with the condition.

4. Pygeum africanum (Prunus africana)

Pygeum africanum extract comes from the bark of the African plum tree. This extract offers many potential health benefits and contains a wide range of fatty acids, alcohols, and sterols, such as beta-sitosterol. These substances have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the urogenital system. The urogenital system comprises the urinary and genital organs.

Current research on the efficacy of Pygeum africanum extract is lacking. However, an older 2007 study of BPH treatment outcomes across six European countries reported positive improvements in those taking the extract.

Researchers found that after 1 year of therapy, 43% of participants who received either Pygeum africanum or Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) showed an improvement in their International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) and in their quality of life.

However, other alternatives are more environmentally friendly, as the current overharvesting of pygeum bark is threatening the survival of the species.

5. Lycopene

Lycopene is a naturally occurring pigment present in many fruits and vegetables. A pilot study found that the daily consumption of lycopene-enriched extra virgin olive oil improved prostate health and reduced prostate-specific antigen levels.

Tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene available to most people, but a few other fruits and vegetables contain lower levels of this antioxidant.

Usually, the deeper the color of a pink or red fruit or vegetable, the higher its lycopene content.

Other sources of lycopene include:

6. Green tea

Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants, some of which research has shown to enhance the immune system and potentially slow the growth of benign prostate cells.

However, it is important to keep in mind that green tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the bladder and cause a sudden urge to urinate, potentially worsening BPH symptoms.

Learn more about green tea and BPH here.

7. Zinc

Estrogen inhibits the uptake of zinc in the intestines. As a person’s estrogen levels increase with age, their intake of zinc decreases.

Research suggests that a chronic zinc deficiency may increase the likelihoodTrusted Source of BPH and prostate cancer in those aged over 50 years.

Taking zinc supplements or increasing the dietary intake of zinc can lower a person’s risk of having a zinc deficiency. Zinc can also decrease the production of DHT and inhibit this androgen from binding to receptors, potentially reducing BPH symptoms.

Poultry, seafood, and several seeds and nuts, such as sesame and pumpkin seeds, contain zinc.

8. Soy

Soy is an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase and a low potency estrogen. Soy may block the receptor sites that the stronger estrogens use to increase the accumulation of DHT.

Beta-sitosterol is a major compound that occurs naturally in soy. An older clinical trial found that people with BPH who took a 20-milligram (mg)Trusted Source dose of beta-sitosterol three times a day experienced an increase in urinary flow and a decrease in residual urine volume in the bladder.

9. Omega-3

A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce the action of compounds that play a role in prostate inflammation.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids includeTrusted Source cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as eggs, walnuts, and some vegetable oils.

Learn more about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.

10. Cranberry

Cranberries contain phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory properties.

In a small 2010 study, 21 men took 500 mg of dried cranberry powder three times daily for 6 months. Compared with those in the control group, the participants in the cranberry group had a greater improvement in their IPSS, quality of life, and urinary flow measurements.

People can take steps to manage the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. These include:

  • attempting to urinate at least once before leaving the home to avoid urinary leakage or other potentially stressful incidents in public
  • double voiding, which involves trying to urinate a few minutes after urinating the first time to drain the bladder as much as possible during bathroom visits
  • trying not to drink fluids in the 2 hours before bedtime to avoid going to sleep with a full bladder
  • maintaining a moderate body weight
  • exercising regularly
  • avoiding or limiting products that cause dehydration, such as cold medications and decongestants
  • using absorbent urinary pads or pants to absorb urine leaks and decrease wetness and discomfort
  • using urinary sheaths, which are condom-shaped and fit over the penis, to drain urine into a small bag strapped to the leg
  • following urination with a urethral massage, which involves gently pressing the fingers upward from the base of the scrotum to try to squeeze out any urine remaining in the urethra and prevent any leakage later
  • limiting the intake of saturated fats, which are in red meat, fried foods, and dairy products
  • eating plenty of natural plants, particularly those rich in beta-sitosterol, such as green leafy vegetables, rice bran, wheat germ, peanuts, corn oils, nuts, and soybeans
  • avoiding dietary supplements or environmental exposures that may increase circulating hormone levels, such as pesticides, herbicides, and recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH)-rich dairy products
  • avoiding drugs that include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone, and human growth hormone

In the vast majority of cases, BPH is idiopathic, meaning that it has no known cause. Doctors and researchers are still trying to determine exactly how and why some people’s prostate cells start to divide abnormally.

As most cases of BPH affect people over 50 years of age, experts believe that BPH is related to hormonal changes, specifically those that occur naturally with age. These include changes in the levels of testosterone, estrogen, and DHT.

Factors that can increase the risk of an enlarged prostate include:

Most males have a 50% chance of having BPH by the age of 60 years and a 90% chance by the age of 85 years.

Limited research has associated BPH with an increased riskTrusted Source of prostate cancer and bladder cancer, with the risk of prostate cancer being particularly high in Asian people with BPH. However, the limitations of the included studies mean that there is a need for additional prospective studies with a strict design to confirm the findings.

Several types of foods and nutrients can reduce or trigger BPH and its associated symptoms.

Foods that may be beneficial for people with BPH include:

  • fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, legumes, beans, and dark, leafy greens
  • fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, which are usually dark red, yellow, or orange
  • foods rich in zinc, such as eggs, most types of seafood, and nuts
  • products that contain phytoestrogens, such as soy foods, chickpeas, alfalfa, and fava beans

Foods that people with BPH, or those at risk of developing it, should avoid or limit include:

Making dietary changes may help people manage or prevent an enlarged prostate and any resulting symptoms.