ABSTRACT
The best responders are those with psychogenic symptoms and are mainly effective in arousal because they prolong the production of nitric oxide. Reducing alcohol intake if excessive, stopping smoking and losing weight if overweight are all recommended. The medicated urethral system for erections system of pellets gives around 30% of men some discomfort after use, which causes discontinued use of treatment. One randomised controlled trial showed a satisfactory effect in 40% of men. Alpha blockers relax the smooth muscle of the prostate; they haven proven more effective than placebo in randomised controlled trials. Dutasteride has been shown to reduce symptoms scored, reduce retention, reduce prostate volume, improve flow rates and reduce the need for surgery. Beta-sitosterol: trials have shown that this is more effective than placebo in short term. The side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms and impotence. Prostate-specific membrane antigen has been a target for vaccines, as has radioactively labelled monoclonal antibodies against prostate-specific membrane antigen.
