Comparison of Serenoa repens With Tamsulosin in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#aged #aged-80-and-over #humans #male #middle-aged

Comparison of Serenoa repens With Tamsulosin in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cai et al., 2020 | Am J Mens Health | Meta Analysis

Citation

Cai Tong, Cui Yuanshan, ... Gao Zhenli. Comparison of Serenoa repens With Tamsulosin in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Mens Health. 2020;14(2):1557988320905407. doi:10.1177/1557988320905407

Abstract

Studies reported that Serenoa repens was effective in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This article carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare Serenoa repens with tamsulosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after at least 6-month treatment cycle. Four studies involving 1,080 patients (543 in the Serenoa repens group and 537 in the tamsulosin group) were included in the meta-analysis. The results were as follows: compared with tamsulosin, Serenoa repens had a same effect in treating BPH in terms of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (mean difference [MD] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.33, 1.59], p = 0.20), quality of life (QoL) (MD 1.51, 95% CI [-1.51, 4.52], p = 0.33), maximum flow rate (Qmax) (MD 0.27, 95% CI [-0.15, 0.68], p = 0.21), postvoid residual volume (PVR) (MD -4.23, 95% CI [-22.97, 14.44], p = 0.65), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (MD 0.46, 95% CI [-0.06, 0.97], p = 0.08) with the exception of prostate volume (PV) (MD -0.29, 95% CI [-0.41, -0.17], p < 0.00001). For side effects, Serenoa repens was well tolerated compared with tamsulosin especially in ejaculation disorders (odds ratio [OR] = 12.56, 95% CI [3.83, 41.18], p < 0.0001) and decreased libido (OR = 5.40; 95% CI [1.17, 24.87]; p = 0.03). This study indicated that Serenoa repens had the same effect in treating BPH compared with tamsulosin in terms of IPSS, QoL, and PVR after at least 6-month treatment cycle, however, the latter had a greater improvement in PV compared with the former. And Serenoa repens did not increase the risk of adverse events especially with respect to ejaculation disorders and libido decrease.

Key Findings

And Serenoa repens did not increase the risk of adverse events especially with respect to ejaculation disorders and libido decrease.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1080
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Plant Extracts
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia
  • Serenoa
  • Tamsulosin
  • Urological Agents

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: saw-palmetto

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09