The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

BENIGN prostatic hyperplasia is common in aging men. The resulting enlargement of the prostate gland can lead to urethral obstruction and even complete urinary retention. 1 2 3 The standard treatment is surgical resection of the prostate, 4 and there has been no effective medical therapy. Androgens are required to maintain the size and function of the prostate in men. The prostate does not become enlarged in boys castrated before puberty, and androgen deprivation leads to a reduction in the size of the prostate. 5 , 6 The androgen primarily responsible for prostatic growth and enlargement is dihydrotestosterone. Men who have 5α-reductase deficiency 7 , 8 and who therefore cannot . . .