New review demonstrates the benefits of curcumin in BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common age-related conditions affecting men and a leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, weak urinary stream, and incomplete bladder emptying. Although conventional therapies such as alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors remain the standard of care, many patients experience side effects or incomplete symptom relief.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology evaluated the effects of curcumin supplementation in men with BPH. The analysis included six comparative clinical studies involving 697 participants and assessed changes in urinary symptoms, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, urinary flow rate, and post-void residual volume.

The research team found that curcumin supplementation was associated with a significant improvement in urinary symptoms as measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The average reduction exceeded four points compared with placebo, a magnitude generally considered clinically meaningful and associated with noticeable improvements in quality of life.
In addition to symptom improvement, curcumin supplementation was associated with reductions in PSA levels and modest decreases in prostate volume. Participants receiving curcumin also demonstrated improvements in maximum urinary flow rate, suggesting better urinary function.

One of the proposed mechanisms behind these benefits involves curcumin’s ability to modulate chronic inflammation. Emerging evidence suggests that inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of BPH. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit NF-κB signaling and reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, which may contribute to prostate enlargement and symptom burden.

The subgroup analyses demonstrated the greatest benefit in men receiving alpha-blocker therapy alone with little additional benefit was observed in men already receiving both an alpha-blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. This suggests that curcumin may be particularly useful as an adjunctive strategy in patients with persistent symptoms despite initial medical management.
Although the results are encouraging, the authors note that the available studies varied considerably in curcumin dose and formulation. Daily doses ranged from 75 mg toover 2,000 mg, and several studies use enhanced-bioavailability formulations.

Overall, these findings support the growing body of evidence that curcumin may provide clinically meaningful support for men with BPH by helping improve urinary symptoms and urinary flow while targeting inflammatory pathways involved in disease progression.

Healthcare practitioners should consider curcumin supplementation as a potential adjunctive option for men with BPH, particularly those seeking complementary approaches to support urinary function and prostate health.

By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, MSCR, CNS, LDN

Source: Santana DS, Porto BC, Cardoso RB, et al. Curcumin versus placebo in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2026;82:164. doi:10.1007/s00228-026-04093-9.