Does acupuncture help an enlarged prostate? If not, what treatments, medications or natural approaches actually help BPH?
Quick Answer: Can Acupuncture Help an Enlarged Prostate?
Acupuncture may modestly improve urinary symptoms in some men with BPH, particularly over the short term, but the evidence is still limited and it has not been shown to reliably shrink the prostate.
- Research has reported improvements in symptom scores in some studies, but results are inconsistent and study quality varies.
- A 2024 review of electroacupuncture trials reported improvements in urinary symptoms and some urine-flow measurements, but did not find a significant reduction in prostate volume.
- Acupuncture should therefore be considered, at most, a complementary option for symptoms, not a cure for BPH.
- Proven treatments include lifestyle measures, BPH medications and, when needed, minimally invasive procedures or surgery.
- Men with urinary retention, repeated infections, kidney problems, bladder stones or significant bleeding should not delay standard urological evaluation while trying complementary therapies.
What Does Research Say About Acupuncture for BPH?
Acupuncture has been investigated as a complementary treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The evidence is more cautious than the older version of this page suggested.
A 2017 systematic review included eight randomized trials involving 661 men. Acupuncture produced statistically significant short-term improvement in urinary symptom scores compared with sham acupuncture, but the investigators emphasized uncertainty about the clinical importance of the effect and the need for better long-term studies.
More recently, a 2024 systematic review of electroacupuncture included nine randomized trials involving 1,045 patients. The analysis reported improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), urinary flow and residual urine.
However, there was substantial variation between studies for several outcomes, and there was no significant difference in prostate volume.
Acupuncture may help some urinary symptoms, but we do not yet have sufficiently strong evidence to regard it as an established treatment for the underlying prostate enlargement.
Does Acupuncture Help 75% of Men With Enlarged Prostate?
I would not use that figure.
The old version of this page stated that approximately 75% of men over age 50 improved with acupuncture. That is not an appropriate general estimate based on current evidence.
Results vary according to:
- how acupuncture was performed;
- whether electroacupuncture was used;
- the comparison treatment;
- severity of urinary symptoms;
- duration of treatment;
- study quality;
- and length of follow-up.
A patient should therefore not be promised a particular likelihood of success.
Can Acupuncture Shrink an Enlarged Prostate?
There is no convincing evidence that acupuncture reliably reduces prostate size.
This distinction matters because improvement in urinary symptoms does not necessarily mean that the prostate itself has become smaller.
Urinary symptoms can change through effects involving:
- bladder function;
- bladder sensation;
- smooth-muscle tone;
- pelvic-floor function;
- and other neurological or physiological mechanisms.
In fact, even some established BPH medications improve symptoms without significantly shrinking the prostate.
Acupuncture vs Established BPH Treatments
| Treatment | Main Goal | Can Reduce Symptoms? | Can Reduce Prostate Size? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture | Possible complementary symptom relief | Possibly, short term in some studies | No reliable evidence |
| Alpha blockers | Relax smooth muscle and improve urinary symptoms | Yes | No meaningful shrinkage |
| 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors | Reduce DHT-driven prostate growth | Yes, gradually | Yes |
| Minimally invasive procedures | Reduce or bypass obstruction | Yes | Depends on procedure |
| Surgery | Remove or destroy obstructing tissue | Often substantially | Removes/reduces obstructing tissue |
What Treatments Are Proven to Help BPH?
The right treatment depends mainly on:
- how bothersome the symptoms are;
- prostate size;
- urine flow;
- how much urine remains in the bladder after urination;
- whether complications have developed;
- other medical conditions;
- sexual-function priorities;
- and the patient’s preferences.
Current European guidance recommends watchful waiting for men with mild-to-moderate symptoms that are not very bothersome and recommends lifestyle and self-care information before or alongside other treatment.
Read our complete guide to BPH treatment options .
Medications for Enlarged Prostate
Several evidence-based medication classes are available.
Alpha Blockers
Medicines such as tamsulosin, alfuzosin, silodosin, doxazosin and terazosin reduce smooth-muscle tone around the prostate and bladder outlet.
They can improve urinary symptoms relatively quickly but do not shrink the prostate or prevent long-term prostate growth.
5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors
Finasteride and dutasteride reduce conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
In appropriately selected men—particularly those with larger prostates—they can gradually reduce prostate volume and lower the risk of progression, urinary retention and future surgery.
Tadalafil
Daily tadalafil may also be used in selected men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH, particularly when erectile dysfunction is also present.
Learn more in our BPH Medications guide .
Which Lifestyle Measures Can Help BPH Symptoms?
Lifestyle changes cannot reliably shrink an enlarged prostate, but they may reduce urinary symptoms.
Useful measures can include:
- reducing fluid intake before bedtime when nocturia is troublesome;
- moderating caffeine and alcohol if they worsen frequency or urgency;
- avoiding excessive fluid intake while still maintaining adequate hydration;
- using relaxed and double-voiding techniques;
- treating constipation;
- maintaining regular physical activity;
- and reviewing medicines that may worsen urinary symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes Have a Real Role
The 2026 European guideline gives a strong recommendation to provide men with lower urinary tract symptoms with lifestyle and self-care information before or alongside medical treatment.
Do Kegel Exercises Treat an Enlarged Prostate?
Kegel exercises strengthen or improve control of the pelvic-floor muscles, but they do not shrink prostate tissue or remove bladder-outlet obstruction caused by BPH.
Pelvic-floor exercises can be useful for certain urinary-control problems, particularly incontinence in appropriate patients, but they should not be presented as a way to make urine flow freely through an obstructing prostate.
If pelvic-floor dysfunction or urinary leakage is present, individualized pelvic-floor therapy may be appropriate.
What About Saw Palmetto, Pygeum and Other Supplements?
Supplements should be judged individually rather than grouped together as “natural cures.”
Saw Palmetto
Research on saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is mixed and highly dependent on the extract used.
NCCIH notes that large studies and systematic reviews have found that saw palmetto generally performs no better than placebo for urinary symptoms, although European guidelines allow a weak recommendation for a specific hexane-extracted preparation and emphasize that any benefit is likely modest.
Pygeum
There is some limited evidence that Pygeum africanum may improve certain BPH symptoms over the short term.
However, it should not be described as an established way to shrink the prostate or cure BPH.
“Natural” Does Not Mean Risk-Free
Supplements may:
- interact with prescription medicines;
- vary considerably between manufacturers;
- contain different doses or extracts;
- cause side effects;
- or delay more effective treatment.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about supplements you use, especially before prostate surgery or other procedures.
What If Medications Are Not Enough?
Men with persistent bothersome symptoms, significant obstruction or BPH complications may be offered a minimally invasive procedure or surgery.
Modern options can include:
- TURP;
- HoLEP;
- GreenLight laser vaporization;
- prostatic urethral lift (UroLift);
- water-vapor therapy such as Rezūm;
- Aquablation;
- prostate artery embolization in selected patients;
- and simple prostatectomy or other enucleation procedures for some very large prostates.
The best procedure depends on prostate anatomy, symptom severity, treatment goals, medical conditions and the expertise available.
See our BPH Surgery & Procedures guide .
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered relatively safe when performed by a properly trained practitioner using sterile, single-use needles.
Possible adverse effects include:
- minor bleeding or bruising;
- temporary soreness;
- dizziness or faintness;
- and, rarely, infection or injury when performed improperly.
Tell the practitioner if you:
- take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines;
- have a bleeding disorder;
- have an implanted electrical device when electroacupuncture is being considered;
- or have significant medical conditions.
When Acupuncture Should Not Delay Urological Care
Seek prompt medical care if you develop:
- complete inability to urinate;
- fever or chills with urinary symptoms;
- visible blood in the urine;
- severe lower-abdominal or urinary pain;
- repeated urinary infections;
- known kidney problems related to urinary obstruction;
- or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Complementary therapies should not delay investigation of potentially significant urinary obstruction or another prostate or bladder disorder.
Dr. Albana’s Answer
Hello,
Acupuncture may help urinary symptoms in some men, but I would not describe it as a cure for an enlarged prostate.
Research suggests there may be a short-term improvement in symptoms such as frequency, urgency or weak flow in some patients. However, the studies are still limited, and acupuncture has not been shown to reliably shrink the prostate itself.
Therefore, if you wish to try acupuncture, I would regard it as a complementary treatment rather than a substitute for proper BPH assessment and established therapy.
If symptoms are mild, lifestyle measures and monitoring may be enough. If symptoms are more troublesome, medicines such as an alpha blocker, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, tadalafil or selected combinations may be considered depending on the individual situation.
If obstruction is significant or complications develop, minimally invasive procedures or surgery may be more appropriate.
I would also be cautious about herbal remedies. Saw palmetto and Pygeum have been studied, but neither should be promised to cure BPH or reliably shrink the prostate.
— Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc, Family Physician / General Practitioner
Most Asked Questions About Acupuncture and BPH
Does acupuncture cure an enlarged prostate?
No. There is limited evidence that acupuncture may improve some urinary symptoms in the short term, but it is not proven to cure BPH.
Can acupuncture shrink the prostate?
Current research has not shown that acupuncture reliably reduces prostate volume. Symptom improvement does not necessarily mean that the prostate has become smaller.
Can acupuncture improve frequent urination?
Some studies of men with BPH have reported improvements in urinary symptom scores, which can include frequency and urgency. The evidence remains limited, however, and frequent urination can have causes other than BPH.
Is electroacupuncture better for BPH?
A 2024 systematic review reported symptom improvements with electroacupuncture, but the included trials varied considerably and longer, higher-quality studies are still needed before firm conclusions can be made.
Should I stop tamsulosin if acupuncture helps?
No medication should be stopped simply because symptoms improve after acupuncture. Discuss changes with the clinician who prescribed your BPH treatment.
Is saw palmetto better than acupuncture?
Evidence for both approaches is limited. Saw palmetto research is also complicated by major differences between extracts and products. Neither should be considered a reliable cure for BPH.
What actually shrinks an enlarged prostate?
Finasteride and dutasteride can gradually reduce prostate volume in appropriately selected men. Procedures and surgery can remove, vaporize, enucleate or otherwise reduce the effect of obstructing prostate tissue.
Can BPH be cured naturally?
No lifestyle measure or supplement has been proven to reliably cure BPH. Lifestyle measures may improve symptoms, while medical or procedural treatment may be needed according to severity.
Related Enlarged Prostate Guides
Medical References
-
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
5 Tips: What You Should Know About Complementary Health Approaches
for BPH.
Updated August 2026.
NCCIH -
Zhang W, Ma L, Bauer BA, Liu Z, Lu Y.
Acupuncture for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A systematic review and
meta-analysis.
PLoS One. 2017;12(4):e0174586.
PubMed -
Chen R, Huang H, Zhan S, et al.
Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for benign prostatic
hyperplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(8):e37324.
PubMed -
European Association of Urology.
EAU Guidelines on the Management of Non-neurogenic Male Lower
Urinary Tract Symptoms.
2026.
EAU Guideline -
American Urological Association.
Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign
Prostatic Hyperplasia: AUA Guideline.
2026.
PubMed -
Trivisonno LF, et al.
Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due
to benign prostatic enlargement: A systematic review and
meta-analysis.
Investig Clin Urol. 2021;62(5):520-534.
PubMed
Medical information notice: This page provides general health education. Acupuncture should not delay appropriate evaluation of significant urinary symptoms, urinary retention or other prostate and bladder conditions. Individual treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.
Written & medically reviewed by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc • Family Physician / General Practitioner • Last medically reviewed: August 2026