Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous prostate enlargement that affects most men over 50. It causes urinary symptoms like weak stream, frequent nighttime urination, and incomplete bladder emptying. Current treatments range from watchful waiting to medications that relax the prostate or shrink it, to minimally invasive procedures and surgery.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing newer minimally invasive procedures using water vapor, laser, and robotics that aim to preserve sexual function better than older surgeries. Studies also explore combinations of existing medications, long-acting drug formulations, and whether treating related conditions like metabolic syndrome improves BPH outcomes. Some research examines whether certain supplements or dietary changes affect prostate size.
Minimally invasive procedures
Water vapor therapy, robotic waterjet ablation, and newer laser techniques aim to relieve obstruction with faster recovery and fewer sexual side effects than traditional surgery. Many of these procedures can be done without general anesthesia.
Combination drug therapy
Studies test whether combining alpha blockers that relax the prostate with drugs that shrink it works better than either alone. Researchers also explore adding medications for overactive bladder to treat the full range of urinary symptoms.
Prostatic artery embolization
This outpatient procedure blocks blood vessels feeding the prostate, causing it to shrink. Early studies show promise for men who can't tolerate surgery or medication.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on prostate size, symptom severity measured by questionnaire, whether you've tried medications, and overall health status for procedure trials.
What types of trials are currently open
- Procedure comparison trials — Comparing new minimally invasive techniques to standard surgery or to each other, measuring both symptom relief and preservation of sexual function.
- Medication trials — Testing new drug combinations, longer-acting formulations, or medications that work through different mechanisms than current options.
- Device trials — Testing implants or devices that hold the prostate open without removing tissue, aiming for quick recovery and reversibility.
- Lifestyle intervention studies — Examining whether weight loss, exercise, or dietary changes reduce BPH symptoms or slow prostate growth.
- Quality of life studies — Following men after various treatments to understand long-term outcomes, sexual function, and satisfaction with different approaches.
Recently added Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia trials
Receive a new sealant during prostate water ablation surgery
Randomized, single-blinded investigational study to assess the safety of PuraStat following the Aquablation procedure
Receive one of two prostate treatments to improve urinary symptoms
This clinical trial aims to determine whether Prolieve® (microwave with balloon dilation) is as effective as UroLift® (prostate implants) for treating moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms in men aged 50-80 with enlarged prostates (BPH) who have failed oral medications. The main questions are: 1. Is Prolieve non-inferior to UroLift in improving IPSS symptom scores at 3 months? 2. Does Prolieve cause less pain and avoid the need for injected anaesthesia? Researchers will compare Prolieve (LA urethral gel only, no injections) against UroLift (LA urethral gel with or without local anaesthetic injection) to see if Prolieve offers similar relief with better tolerability. Participants will stop their BPH medications for 2-4 weeks, undergo one of the two same-day office procedures, and attend follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months for symptom scores, flow tests, and bladder scans.
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