New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects most men as they age. About half of men in their 60s have BPH symptoms, rising to 90% by their 80s. Current treatment includes watchful waiting for mild cases, medications that relax the prostate or shrink it, and procedures ranging from minimally invasive office treatments to traditional surgery.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing new minimally invasive procedures that preserve sexual function better than older surgeries, medications that target specific prostate receptors with fewer side effects, and combination approaches that pair drugs with devices. Research is also exploring why some prostates enlarge more than others and whether inflammation drives symptoms as much as size does.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on prostate size, symptom severity measured by questionnaires, urine flow rates, and whether prior treatments have been tried.

What types of trials are currently open

• Procedure trials — Testing new minimally invasive treatments that use heat, steam, or targeted energy to remove prostate tissue without major surgery.
• Medication trials — Testing new drugs or combinations of existing medications to shrink the prostate or relax muscles with fewer sexual side effects.
• Device studies — Studying temporary implants or other devices that hold the prostate open without permanent surgery.
• Comparative studies — Comparing different treatments head-to-head to determine which work best for different sizes of prostates or symptom patterns.
• Quality of life studies — Following men with BPH to track how symptoms affect daily life and which treatments improve specific problems like nighttime urination.