Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), the most common of the four types of prostatitis, requires long-term treatment, yet currently available treatment options are not always effective. Pollen extract has shown some benefits while being associated with few side effects.
According to a new report in Urologic Clinics of North America, previous preclinical studies of pollen extract for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome showed the extract had anti-inflammatory properties, antiproliferative effects, and an impact on smooth muscles of the bladder and urethra.
One of those studies, which was conducted by several of the same authors as the new report, compared pollen extract with placebo in 139 men with CP/CPPS from several urologic centers. The men were randomly assigned to take either pollen extract or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Compared with placebo, pollen extract significantly improved symptoms, pain, and quality of life without serious side effects.
Given the lack of any definitive treatments for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and the positive results seen thus far using pollen extract, including few side effects, pollen extract is a viable option.
Read more in our Prostate Cancer Health Center.
References
Wagenlehner FM et al. Pollen extract for chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urol Clin North Am 2011 Aug; 38(3): 285-92
Wagenlehner FM et al. A pollen extract (Cernilton) in patients with inflammatory chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a multicentre, randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Eur Urol 2009 Sep; 56(3): 544-51
