Any good supplements for prostate health that don't block androgen receptors?

[Craig74]

Saw palmetto and lycopene both seem to benefit the prostate by reducing the effects of androgen which seems to defeat the purpose (at least part of it) of TRT. Are there supplements that reduce prostate inflammation / support prostate health without impacting androgen... or at least selectively impact androgen in the prostate itself?

 

[BradJohnson]

Your post caught my eye because I suffered since TRT inception with BPH.

I’m 65 years old, been on TRT for 3 years: the BEST “non-medical” option for BPH (for me anyway), is RED Maca Root. Secondary to that is “research quality” tadalafil - check Blue Sky Peptides for that.

A little goes a long way, and I find it extremely effective in treating BPH.

it’s available on Amazon - make sure you get RED!!!

4 Benefits of Maca Root (and Potential Side Effects)

Maca root is a supplement known for its potential benefits for fertility, libido, and menopause. Learn its possible benefits, safety, and more.

www.healthline.com

 

[BradJohnson]

Following up previous post - here’s what I use from Amazon and I swear by it:

Amazon.com

 

[DragonBits]

I feel that while supplements may help reduce the effects of BPH, they simply delay the need for more aggressive treatment.

So for me, I do use lycopene and have taken LEF's Ultra Prostate Formula, and it did seem to help lowering PSA, sooner or later I need to do something more aggressive.

I did see a lot of changes with my hormone profile while taking LEF's UPF.

But I don't yet have any serious problems, when I saw serious perhaps my "flow' is reduced" but not enough to be obvious to me.

Aassuming my PSA increases(current 4.3), my urologist agreed to do an MRI to determine size and shape.

So I have explored the various options, and decided I like prostate artery embolization (PAE).

 

[thyronine]

Anecdotally, restoring my undetectable serum progesterone to mid-range removed my own prostate issues that arose shortly after starting TRT.

 

[FurryDude]

Your post caught my eye because I suffered since TRT inception with BPH.

I’m 65 years old, been on TRT for 3 years: the BEST “non-medical” option for BPH (for me anyway), is RED Maca Root. Secondary to that is “research quality” tadalafil - check Blue Sky Peptides for that.

A little goes a long way, and I find it extremely effective in treating BPH.

it’s available on Amazon - make sure you get RED!!!

4 Benefits of Maca Root (and Potential Side Effects)

Maca root is a supplement known for its potential benefits for fertility, libido, and menopause. Learn its possible benefits, safety, and more.

www.healthline.com

How much do you use and how often?

 

[jobshopper]

Anecdotally, restoring my undetectable serum progesterone to mid-range removed my own prostate issues that arose shortly after starting TRT.

How much progesterone are you taking?

 

[Craig74]

Anecdotally, restoring my undetectable serum progesterone to mid-range removed my own prostate issues that arose shortly after starting TRT.

You did you accomplish that?

 

[thyronine]

How much progesterone are you taking?

Depends on the application method - roughly 0.5mcg when injecting; significantly more if applying a topical oil.
Just to be clear though: I'm not saying that prog fixes prostate issues, that low prog causes prostate issues, or that it'll work for anyone else - was just my anecdotal experience.
There is a small amount of data demonstrating it's efficacy in this regard, however.

 

[jobshopper]

Depends on the application method - roughly 0.5mcg when injecting; significantly more if applying a topical oil.
Just to be clear though: I'm not saying that prog fixes prostate issues, that low prog causes prostate issues, or that it'll work for anyone else - was just my anecdotal experience.
There is a small amount of data demonstrating it's efficacy in this regard, however.

Thanks for the information. There are a number of studies/articles on the net related to progesterone's positive effects on the prostate.

 

[thyronine]

Thanks for the information. There are a number of studies/articles on the net related to progesterone's positive effects on the prostate.

Certainly are. In my opinion, it'd help the vast majority of men with prostate issues if implemented appropriately - I just don't want to be seen as saying "progesterone will fix your prostate issues" when it's not so clear cut.

 

[Gene Devine]

5 mg daily of Cialis and your Prostate will like you very much

 

[BradJohnson]

How much do you use and how often?

It’s not toxic and the serving size says 5gm -so I use 5gms 2x per day, (every day), morning and night: it’s a little over a tablespoon each day.

If my urination is slow or my prostate feels more enlarged than normal, I’ll up the dosage.

If, after a day, I still have “that” feeling, I’ll add a eye dropper full of liquid Taladafil from Blue Sky Peptides. Those two in combo are my go-to prostate relief.

I do not find the Maca Root to taste pleasant at all, so I just put 5 gms in a small juice glass with water and down it quickly. Some people like the burnt flavor - (ugh). ‘Not great but not terrible.

Tolerable for the relief it provides.

There was a time when i wasn’t sure how much to use - so I was using a couple of tablespoons a day for an extended period of time (6 months), and I noticed it “tanned” my skin. People were asking me where I got the tan from. ‘Adjusted the dose down as per above, and the ‘tan’ faded after a month or so.

I don’t know how it works, I only know it works for me. Good luck!!’

btw - my T dosage is around 220mg/week + 1 mg Anastrozole + 500iu HCG

 

[MarcoFL]

I feel that while supplements may help reduce the effects of BPH, they simply delay the need for more aggressive treatment.

So for me, I do use lycopene and have taken LEF's Ultra Prostate Formula, and it did seem to help lowering PSA, sooner or later I need to do something more aggressive.

I did see a lot of changes with my hormone profile while taking LEF's UPF.

But I don't yet have any serious problems, when I saw serious perhaps my "flow' is reduced" but not enough to be obvious to me.

Aassuming my PSA increases(current 4.3), my urologist agreed to do an MRI to determine size and shape.

So I have explored the various options, and decided I like prostate artery embolization (PAE).

DB, just curious what you saw for hormone changes one LE UPF? I saw my SHBG drop from 50 to 28, free T was up a lot and now taking a very small daily dose of T. I also wonder if it helped my thyroid? FT3 up a lot and RT3 has never been lower!!!

 

[jobshopper]

It’s not toxic and the serving size says 5gm -so I use 5gms 2x per day, (every day), morning and night: it’s a little over a tablespoon each day.

If my urination is slow or my prostate feels more enlarged than normal, I’ll up the dosage.

If, after a day, I still have “that” feeling, I’ll add a eye dropper full of liquid Taladafil from Blue Sky Peptides. Those two in combo are my go-to prostate relief.

I do not find the Maca Root to taste pleasant at all, so I just put 5 gms in a small juice glass with water and down it quickly. Some people like the burnt flavor - (ugh). ‘Not great but not terrible.

Tolerable for the relief it provides.

There was a time when i wasn’t sure how much to use - so I was using a couple of tablespoons a day for an extended period of time (6 months), and I noticed it “tanned” my skin. People were asking me where I got the tan from. ‘Adjusted the dose down as per above, and the ‘tan’ faded after a month or so.

I don’t know how it works, I only know it works for me. Good luck!!’

btw - my T dosage is around 220mg/week + 1 mg Anastrozole + 500iu HCG

Thanks for sharing this information! I will be getting labs done in 6 weeks and will have my progesterone checked. I've heard that if a guy gets too much progesterone he can get weepy and emotional. I don't need any of that going on... lol.
I was once taking Flomax for BPH... what a terrible drug. The side effects were terrible and it didn't really help me. Almost ruined my sex life.

When I read that once daily Cialis had been approved for BPH I asked my PCP to switch me over which he did. The tadalafil was a huge improvement for me and I can get a 90 day supply through GoodRx for about $17.00. While the tadalafil helped a lot it still wasn't helping as much as I'd hoped for. My PCP added 1mg of Terazosin everyday and I am currently up to 3mg per day.

That has really helped me a lot. Not as good as when I was in my 20's but since I am almost 70 I guess I can't complain. I will keep trying to treat my BPH with meds as long as I can to keep some surgeon from taking his rusty butter-knife to my privates... lol

 

[MarcoFL]

Thanks for sharing this information! I will be getting labs done in 6 weeks and will have my progesterone checked. I've heard that if a guy gets too much progesterone he can get weepy and emotional. I don't need any of that going on... lol.
I was once taking Flomax for BPH... what a terrible drug. The side effects were terrible and it didn't really help me. Almost ruined my sex life.

When I read that once daily Cialis had been approved for BPH I asked my PCP to switch me over which he did. The tadalafil was a huge improvement for me and I can get a 90 day supply through GoodRx for about $17.00. While the tadalafil helped a lot it still wasn't helping as much as I'd hoped for. My PCP added 1mg of Terazosin everyday and I am currently up to 3mg per day.

That has really helped me a lot. Not as good as when I was in my 20's but since I am almost 70 I guess I can't complain. I will keep trying to treat my BPH with meds as long as I can to keep some surgeon from taking his rusty butter-knife to my privates... lol

I am telling you guys NOTHING worked for me until I tried Life Extension Ultra Prostate Formula!!!!! TRY IT!!! you will flow like crazy! I gave some to a buddy and he was amazed. I do not own the company!

 

[jobshopper]

I am telling you guys NOTHING worked for me until I tried Life Extension Ultra Prostate Formula!!!!! TRY IT!!! you will flow like crazy! I gave some to a buddy and he was amazed. I do not own the company!

I looked at the ingredients and found that I already take most of the stuff that's in it but in much larger quantities. Nonetheless I ordered a bottle. I will let you know if I see any improvements. I am curious how old you are and what your PSA is? Do you mind sharing that? Thanks!

 

[DragonBits]

DB, just curious what you saw for hormone changes one LE UPF? I saw my SHBG drop from 50 to 28, free T was up a lot and now taking a very small daily dose of T. I also wonder if it helped my thyroid? FT3 up a lot and RT3 has never been lower!!!

PSA dropped from 4.2 > 3.4
DHT went from ~70 > 42 (30-85 ng/dl)
My SHBG did go from 47.1 > 66.2< BUT 30 after stopping LEF total prostate, my SHBG went to 77.6, then declined over time, 57.2 > 47.0. Perhaps that is just how long it took SHBG to "readjust".

In all the tests I ever have done, the lowest SHBG had ever been was 35.9, so for me SHBG has always been on the high side.

My E2 went from roughly 3% of total T to 2%, while FT went from ~1.7% >1.4% of total T.

WHY DO I USE PERCENT?

E2 and FT are directly related to Total T, and my total T varies quite a bit depending on what week I take a test.

So if I want to really see changes in E2/FT, I look at the percentage of total T that gets converted to E2, and FT as a percentage of total T. BTW, I always have lowish E2 no matter how high my total T goes, even at 1500+ total T my E2 was 37 pg/ml. The ONLY thing that ever drove my E2 up independent of total T was taking clomid.

(In normal cycle of ~14 week using testosterone undecanoate, my total T can range from 520 – 1500+. I most often use either Nebido or generic testosterone undecanoate. If I measure a 5 days after an injection, I will get 1300-2100. The 2100 was an informed estimate since the test tops out at 1500. My estimate was based on what it should have been given the level of E2 / Ft. )

Now this isn’t a well controlled study, since I often change other supplements and if I have wanted to defend this as scientifically valid, I would have done more tests. But it’s my best estimate of the changes that occurred.

Subjectively, I didn’t feel any of those changes.

I stopped LEF ultra prostate because it seemed to me the main reason my PSA went down was because of lower hormones, but if I want lower hormone I can just lower the amount of testosterone I take. And PSA for me has jumped around quite a bit, as high as 5.6 before declining back to 4.3, I didn’t do anything that I was aware of to cause it to either rise or fall.

 

[MarcoFL]

I looked at the ingredients and found that I already take most of the stuff that's in it but in much larger quantities. Nonetheless I ordered a bottle. I will let you know if I see any improvements. I am curious how old you are and what your PSA is? Do you mind sharing that? Thanks!

I am 58. This is fairly typical and are from Discounted Labs-Quest. I take the Prostate formula for overall health and helps my flow as I age.

PSA, TOTAL
0.9
Reference Range: < OR = 4.0 ng/mL

PSA, FREE
0.3
ng/mL

PSA, % FREE
33
Reference Range: >25 % (calc)

 

[MarcoFL]

PSA dropped from 4.2 > 3.4
DHT went from ~70 > 42 (30-85 ng/dl)
My SHBG did go from 47.1 > 66.2< BUT 30 after stopping LEF total prostate, my SHBG went to 77.6, then declined over time, 57.2 > 47.0. Perhaps that is just how long it took SHBG to "readjust".

In all the tests I ever have done, the lowest SHBG had ever been was 35.9, so for me SHBG has always been on the high side.

My E2 went from roughly 3% of total T to 2%, while FT went from ~1.7% >1.4% of total T.

WHY DO I USE PERCENT?

E2 and FT are directly related to Total T, and my total T varies quite a bit depending on what week I take a test.

So if I want to really see changes in E2/FT, I look at the percentage of total T that gets converted to E2, and FT as a percentage of total T. BTW, I always have lowish E2 no matter how high my total T goes, even at 1500+ total T my E2 was 37 pg/ml. The ONLY thing that ever drove my E2 up independent of total T was taking clomid.

(In normal cycle of ~14 week using testosterone undecanoate, my total T can range from 520 – 1500+. I most often use either Nebido or generic testosterone undecanoate. If I measure a 5 days after an injection, I will get 1300-2100. The 2100 was an informed estimate since the test tops out at 1500. My estimate was based on what it should have been given the level of E2 / Ft. )

Now this isn’t a well controlled study, since I often change other supplements and if I have wanted to defend this as scientifically valid, I would have done more tests. But it’s my best estimate of the changes that occurred.

Subjectively, I didn’t feel any of those changes.

I stopped LEF ultra prostate because it seemed to me the main reason my PSA went down was because of lower hormones, but if I want lower hormone I can just lower the amount of testosterone I take. And PSA for me has jumped around quite a bit, as high as 5.6 before declining back to 4.3, I didn’t do anything that I was aware of to cause it to either rise or fall.

Thank you for all the detail!