Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a prevalent urological disorder in older men, primarily presenting as lower urinary tract symptoms. A majority of BPH may remain asymptomatic. By 2019, the prevalence of BPH rose to approximately 94 million men, compared to 51.1 million in 2000. Conventional treatments, including alpha-blockers and procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate, effectively alleviate symptoms but frequently entail adverse effects. The Unani system of medicine offers an alternative approach to managing BPH, classifying it as waram unuq al-mathāna (swelling of the bladder neck), with an underlying barid (cold) temperament associated with the accumulation of morbid phlegm. A 66-year-old male presented with symptoms, including frequent urination (12-15/day), weak urinary stream, urgency, and post-void dribbling. He was previously treated with allopathic medication without any symptomatic improvement and was advised to undergo surgery. Ultrasound imaging revealed an enlarged prostate (46 cc in volume) and a post-void residual urine volume of 416 cc. The patient received Majoon Rasheedi, a Unani formulation used for BPH for 45 days. The prostate volume reduced from 46 cc to 36 cc, while the post-void residual urine volume declined from 416 cc to 230 cc. His International Prostate Symptom Score improved significantly, dropping from 26 to 6, while the peak urinary flow rate increased from 10 ml/s to 13 ml/s, reflecting improved urinary function. This case highlights that a Unani formulation, Majoon Rasheedi, could help in BPH management, particularly in patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

Key words: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; LUTS; Unani Medicine; BPH; Traditional Medicine