Study: NSAIDs Increase Risk of Acute Urinary Retention in Men

According to the Harvard's Men's Health Watch, a link has been uncovered between benign prostatic hyperplasia and NSAIDs. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is referred to as the increase size of the prostate in middle aged and elderly men. This happens when sufficiently large nodules compress the urethral canal that causes partial or complete obstruction of the urethra which interferes the normal flow or urine. This leads to symptoms of urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, and increased urinary tract infections.

NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs that are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and anti inflammatory effects. NSAIDs are used to reduce pain, fever as well as inflammation.

In the Netherlands, researchers have found that the risk of acute urinary retention was twice as high in men who were taking NSAIDs as in men who were not taking the drugs. Ironically however, researchers in America who have been evaluating the long term effects of the NSAIDs on the prostate, found that daily use was also linked to a reduced risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms as well as slow urinary flow rates.

The study in the Netherlands found that men who have slow urine flow should avoid anything that makes their situation worse. The most common offenders that can make BPH worse that what it already is, is over the counter cold and allergy remedies. The research suggests that NSAIDs which are found in ibuprofen and naproxen may also affect the prostate function. All research findings have been published in the September issue of Harvard's Men's Health Watch.

Now the American study showed emerging evidence that inflammation may play a specific role in the development of BPH. If the American study is correct, then the daily use of NSAIDs could delay the symptoms. In another study performed by the Dutch, cases of acute urinary retention were evaluated and results showed that men who had just began taking NSAIDs were at a higher risk. More studies between the three will be ongoing until further explanation can result from the study.