What medication class is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and reduce urinary retention?

Alpha-adrenergic antagonists are specifically designed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by blocking alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck. This action results in relaxation of these muscles, which alleviates urinary retention and improves urinary flow in men who are experiencing BPH symptoms. By effectively reducing the resistance in the urethra, these medications help to enhance the ability to urinate more easily and frequently, significantly improving the quality of life for patients suffering from this condition.

Other medication classes do not target the urinary symptoms associated with BPH in the same manner. Benzodiazepines are primarily used for anxiety and sedative effects but do not address the underlying issues of urinary retention or prostate enlargement. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are primarily antidepressants that have no direct relevance to the physical symptoms caused by BPH. Similarly, calcium channel blockers are mainly used to treat hypertension and certain cardiac conditions rather than urinary retention or prostate enlargement. Therefore, alpha-adrenergic antagonists remain the preferred choice for treating BPH and its associated urinary complications.