Avodart - A supremely efficient and superior medication for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Other articles: Cut hair loss with Avodart / Dutasteride

As men get older, they often begin to experience problems with their prostate gland. As we discuss below, the prostate gland grows larger with age and once a man reaches midlife and beyond, this enlargement can become problematic. Such problems usually manifest themselves as difficulties with urination. Indeed, so common is it for men to suffer from low level urinary problems as they age that many men simply dismiss the issue as a natural part of the aging process, albeit something of a nuisance, and fail to seek the appropriate medical help.

And whilst symptoms of an enlarged prostate are normally quite mild at first, they can become increasingly severe and this can have a significant impact on a man’s quality of life. Imagine, for example, never being able to get a full night’s sleep because you need to get up at least two or three times every night to go to the bathroom.

But there is no reason to suffer in silence - Avodart has been specifically designed to help men who suffer from an enlarging prostate gland. And by attacking the problem at its source, Avodart can provide relief from symptoms which in turn can radically improve a man’s quality of life.

So before we look at Avodart in more detail, it’s useful to understand a little bit more about the prostate and why it can cause problems for so many men as they age.

What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped organ that forms part of the male reproductive system (which is why only men suffer from prostate problems). It is made up of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. The gland itself is located in front of the rectum and just below the base of the bladder. It surrounds a thin tube called the urethra that passes through it. The urethra’s function is to allow urine and semen to flow out of the penis.

Although scientists do not yet know all the prostate's functions, it does play an important part in both male sexual function and reproduction. The gland produces a milky-coloured alkaline fluid that is squeezed into the urethra as sperm moves through it during orgasm. This prostatic fluid, which forms about 25-30% of the volume of a man’s semen, helps to nourish sperm and also makes the vagina less acidic, thus increasing the chances of sperm surviving through to the point of conception.

Why does the prostate gland start to enlarge in later life?

A man’s prostate gland goes through two main periods of growth during his life. Not surprisingly the first major growth spurt comes during puberty when sex hormones produced by the testicles cause the prostate to double in size.

At around the age of 25 the prostate starts to grow again and continues to grow during most of the rest of a man’s life and it’s this growth that can eventually cause the problems associated with prostate enlargement.

During this second period of growth it’s the cells in the central portion of the gland that reproduce more rapidly but the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the prostate to press against the urethra a bit like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination. Eventually, the bladder weakens and loses the ability to empty itself, so some urine remains in the bladder. This combination of the narrowing of the urethra and the partial emptying of the bladder leads to many of the problems associated with an enlarged prostate. The medical term given to this continued enlargement of the prostate gland is enlarging prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (often referred to as BPH).

How common is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is very common although it is very rare for a man to experience any symptoms of it before the age of 40. The likelihood of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia increases with age, which is why many men associate it with the natural aging process. It is estimated that 50% of men over the age of 50 have benign prostatic hyperplasia with this figure increasing to 90% of men over the age of 80! Given the fact that populations are increasingly aging, it’s inevitable that the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia will also rise.

What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia vary between men - both in type and severity. In some cases the condition does not cause any noticeable problems at all. Because of this variance in type and severity of symptoms, possibly only about half the men with benign prostatic hyperplasia find their symptoms severe enough to warrant a trip to their doctor’s office to seek the appropriate medical treatment - although this reluctance to seek medical help may also stem from men’s general disinclination to seek medical help particularly when they will have to discuss a gland that is associated with both sex and urination.

As mentioned above, many of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia stem from the obstruction of the urethra and the gradual loss of bladder function that this causes. Indeed, usually the first sign that something is wrong is the development of mild urinary problems. Again some men may not realise that they should seek medical help at this stage because they consider such symptoms as simply a sign that they are getting older. However, if left untreated, the symptoms may worsen to such an extent that they impact upon many aspects of a man’s life particularly as the symptoms can play havoc with sleeping patterns or may lead to someone being “caught short” on a regular and possibly embarrassing basis.

The most common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia include:

Interestingly, the size of the prostate gland does not always determine how severe the obstruction or the symptoms will be. Some men with greatly enlarged glands have little obstruction and few symptoms while others, whose glands are less enlarged, have more blockage and greater problems.

What are the risks associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia?

What is certain is that if it is left untreated and/or the condition worsens, mild benign prostatic hyperplasia can become severe which can cause serious health problems over time. Urine retention and strain on the bladder can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence - the inability to control urination.

In rare cases prostate surgery may be required, particularly where the condition has been left untreated. It is estimated that surgery is required in 4 out of every 100 untreated cases.

And if the bladder becomes permanently damaged, treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia may be rendered ineffective. As is the situation with most medical complaints, the earlier the condition is diagnosed and treated, the lower risk of developing such complications.

Is benign prostate hyperplasia the forerunner to prostate cancer?

The short answer to this is no - although another reason that men may be reluctant to talk to their doctor is the fear that their urinary symptoms may indicate the development of prostate cancer.

However, it is important to tell your doctor about urinary problems you may be experiencing. In 8 out of 10 cases they will be diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia and can be treated accordingly. But it is true that these symptoms can also indicate other, more serious conditions that require prompt treatment. These conditions, including prostate cancer, can only be ruled out by a doctor's examination.

How does Avodart work?

The exact reason why the prostate gland should continue to enlarge as men grow older is not yet well understood. A number of theories have been proposed, one of which focuses on the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance derived from testosterone in the prostate, which may help control its growth. Most animals lose their ability to produce DHT as they age. However, despite falling blood testosterone levels, older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT in the prostate. This accumulation of DHT may encourage the growth of cells - a theory that is strengthened by the fact that men who do not produce DHT do not develop benign prostatic hyperplasia.

It is the action of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes that leads to the internal conversion of testosterone into DHT. Avodart works by preventing this conversion by using the active ingredient Dutasteride. Dutasteride belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

By inhibiting the action of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes and thereby preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT, Avodart causes the prostate to shrink over time which in turn eases and improves the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Unfortunately Avodart does not have an instantaneous effect. Just as it can take years for the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia to appear, so it can take time for treatment to take effect. Shrinking the prostate gland cannot be achieved overnight. Although some men may notice an improvement in their symptoms within three months of treatment, at least six months of treatment is usually necessary for symptom improvement.

But, although patience is needed, Avodart is particularly effective. This is because Avodart works to inhibit both isoenzymes of 5-alpha-reductase unlike other 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, such as Proscar (that contain the active ingredient finasteride), that only inhibit the actions of one isoenzyme. By inhibiting both isoenzymes, treatment with Avodart results in the near-complete suppression of serum DHT, making Avodart a supremely efficient and superior medication.

Are there any other conditions that can be treated with Avodart?

Acute urinary retention

Acute urinary retention (often referred to as AUR) is the sudden inability to urinate. If complications such as bladder damage and chronic kidney failure are to be avoided, acute urinary retention requires urgent medical attention. It is an acutely painful condition that causes the abdomen to become distended and generates severe lower abdominal pain.

Whilst both men and women can develop acute urinary retention, and it has a number of different causes, the most common cause in men over 60 is the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Indeed, for some men, acute urinary retention may be the first indicator that he is suffering from some form of obstruction. Taking Avodart reduces the risk of developing this painful and potentially catastrophic condition.

Male pattern hair loss

Not only is DHT the main androgen responsible for prostate enlargement, it also plays a significant role in male pattern hair loss including the shortening of the growing phase of the hair and the progressive miniaturisation of the hair follicles which leads to a decline in the number of visible hairs.

Avodart has been proven to be very effective in treating this type of male pattern hair loss particularly on the top of the head and in the mid-scalp area. By increasing the number of scalp hairs and by helping to fill in thin areas on the scalp, taking Avodart can significantly reduce or delay this type of hair loss. Results do vary between men and, in general, men will not re-grow all the hair that they have lost but after a period of treatment, the improvements may be significant.

Dosage

The usual dose of Avodart is 0.5mg daily. However, your doctor will prescribe your own dosage amount.

Avodart may sometimes be prescribed alongside another medication used to treat male urinary symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia known as Tamsulosin (Flomax).

Side effects

Fortunately Avodart has proven itself to be generally well tolerated with few if any side effects. However, if you should be unfortunate enough to experience side effects by taking Avodart, they tend to be mild in nature and will usually go away during treatment. The most common side effects are:

Caution and warnings

It is extremely important that Avodart capsules are never taken or even handled by women or children. The active ingredient in Avodart, Dutasteride, can be absorbed through the skin and can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with Avodart from a leaking capsule, the exposed area should be washed with soap and water immediately.

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 should receive a transfusion with blood that contained Avodart.

Men with liver problems should not take Avodart.

Cut hair loss with Dutasteride

Dutasteride, used to treat an enlarged prostate, is also a powerful, fast-acting weapon against hair loss

Dutasteride was developed for treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – an enlarged prostate – in men. Dutasteride is chemically similar to Finasteride (more commonly known under the trade names of Proscar®, Propecia® and Avodart®), but has proven more effective in clinical trials. Like Finasteride, Dutasteride has proved to be effective in treating male pattern hair loss as well as BPH.

Researchers have discovered that men who suffer from either male pattern hair loss or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), have increased levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT is produced from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Biochemical analysis reveals higher levels of 5-alpha-reductase in the bloodstream of men with BPH, and in the scalps of men with hair loss; and less of this enzyme in men with no BPH or no hair loss.

Dutasteride inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, blocking the formation of DHT. This interrupts a key trigger element in development of male pattern hair loss and in development of BPH. Finasteride only inhibits the specific enzyme known as type-II, whereas Dutasteride blocks both type-I and type-II. Dutasteride is, therefore, a lot more potent than Finasteride.  

Male patient before treatment with Dutasteride.	Male patient after 24 weeks of Dutasteride treatment.

Note:
DHT levels can be monitored using the Health Check Kit 

Caution:
Dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and therefore must not be handled or used by women.

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