Avodart – The effective treatment for enlarged prostate

Avodart is specifically designed to help men who suffer from an enlarging prostate gland and the problems associated with this condition. The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped organ that forms part of the male reproductive system. It sits at the base of the bladder with the urethra (the thin tube that allows urine and semen to pass out of the penis) running through it. The prostate gland plays an important role in male sexual function and reproduction. It produces a milky-coloured alkaline fluid that forms about 25-30% of the volume of a man’s semen. The fluid nourishes and transports sperm during ejaculation.

The prostate usually grows during specific periods of a man’s life. The first growth spurt is driven by the sex hormones produced by the testicles during puberty when the prostate doubles in size. Many men also experience a period of prostate growth beginning in their late 40s or 50s. At this time, cells in the central portion of the gland reproduce more rapidly, which results in prostate gland enlargement. The medical term given to this continued enlargement of the prostate gland is Enlarging Prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (often referred to as BPH). BPH is very common and the likelihood of developing it increases with age. It is estimated that 50% of men over the age of 50 have BPH with this figure increasing to 90% of men over the age of 80! Prostate gland enlargement is not related to the development of prostate cancer.

BPH varies in severity among men and does not always cause any problems. Only about half the men with BPH experience signs and symptoms that become significant enough for them to seek medical treatment. Because of its position in the male anatomy, an enlarging prostate puts pressure on the urethra. This can cause a whole raft of urinary problems which, in rare cases, may result in the need for prostate surgery, particularly if left untreated (surgery is required in around 4 out every 100 untreated cases). 
Usually the first sign that something is wrong is the development of mild urinary symptoms. Many men may simply dismiss these problems as just being a part of the natural aging process and fail to seek medical help.  However, if left untreated, the prostate may continue to grow which results in worsening urinary symptoms which can impact upon many aspects of a man’s life. Typical symptoms include:

• Urinating more than twice during the night
• Feeling the need to urinate frequently during the day
• Sudden strong urges to urinate
• Difficulty starting to urinate
• Weak urine stream that may also stop and start
• Difficulty in completely emptying the bladder - this may also cause urine to dribble afterwards

These types of urinary symptoms do not have to be simply part of growing older. Avodart has been proven to help men treat the symptoms of BPH and helps to reduce the risk of needing surgery for an enlarged prostate later in life.

Avodart also reduces the risk of developing acute urinary retention (AUR). AUR is the sudden inability to urinate and requires immediate medical attention if complications such as bladder damage and chronic kidney failure are to be avoided. It is an acutely painful condition producing severe lower abdominal pain and a distended abdomen. AUR is usually symptomatic of another condition that requires treatment. Although both men and women can develop AUR and there are a number of different causes for the condition, in men over 60 BPH is the most common cause.

The exact reason why the prostate should continue to enlarge as men grow older is not yet clear. However, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is known to be implicated in the development of BPH. Avodart prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the body. The active ingredient in Avodart is dutasteride, which belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. It’s the action of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes that leads to the conversion of testosterone into DHT.

By inhibiting both isoenzymes of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes, Avodart causes the prostate to shrink over time which in turn eases and improves the symptoms of BPH. However, patience is needed as shrinking the prostate cannot be achieved overnight. Although some men notice an improvement in their symptoms within three months, at least six months of treatment is usually necessary for symptom improvement.

Avodart and Hair Loss

Avodart has also proved to be very effective in treating male pattern hair loss on the top of the head and in the mid-scalp area. This is not surprising given that, in an adult male, DHT appears to be the main androgen responsible not only for prostate enlargement, but also for male pattern baldness, the shortening of the growing phase of hair, the progressive miniaturisation of hair follicles and a decline in the number of visible hairs. Avodart significantly reduces or delays this type of hair loss by increasing the number of scalp hairs and helps to fill thin areas on the scalp. It should be noted, however, that results do vary between individuals and, in general, men will not re-grow all the hair that they have lost.

Dosage

Your doctor will prescribe your dosage amount. The usual dosage is 0.5mg daily.

Avodart is sometimes prescribed with another medication called tamsulosin (Flomax).

Side effects

Avodart is generally well tolerated. If side effects are experienced at all, they tend to be mild in nature and usually go away during treatment. The most common side effects are impotence, decreased libido, breast tenderness and breast enlargement (gynecomastia) and a decline in ejaculate volume.

Caution and warnings

Avodart should never be taken, or handled, by a woman or a child. The active ingredient, dutasteride, can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle the capsules. Avodart can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. This is because DHT is responsible for the development of the external genitals in the male foetus. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.

Blood should not be donated whilst taking Avodart and for at least 6 months after treatment has ended. Avodart can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant woman received a transfusion with blood that contained Avodart.

Men with liver problems should not use Avodart.