The Role of Serenoa repens in the Clinical Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Context: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are almost universal in men aged >50 yr. As men become more symptomatic, they frequently want to take either supplements or medications to improve their condition or to prevent it from worsening. Objective: To examine and to assess the efficacy and the role of Serenoa repens products in the clinical management of LUTS due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; BPH/LUTS). Evidence acquisition: Review was undertaken of all articles published on phytotherapies in the urologic literature from 1990 to the present. Evidence synthesis: Only randomized trials were included in this analysis. Special attention was given to the three major meta-analyses on this topic, and the large randomized comparative and placebo-controlled trials were highlighted. Conclusions: Serenoa repens products are a first-line intervention, usually patient initiated, in the management of BPH/LUTS. These products are generally considered very safe and have minimal side effects. The magnitude of their efficacy is still to be determined.