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

ContextLower 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.ObjectiveTo 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 acquisitionReview was undertaken of all articles published on phytotherapies in the urologic literature from 1990 to the present.Evidence synthesisOnly 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.ConclusionsSerenoa 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.