Finasteride to Prevent Morbidity from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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Abstract
Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor that slows the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, is now a proven treatment for men who wish to reduce the genitourinary symptoms or the risk of serious complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this issue of the Journal, McConnell et al.1 report that finasteride reduced the rate of acute urinary retention by 57 percent and the need for prostatectomy by 55 percent in a large group of men with this disorder. Nevertheless, treatment with finasteride to prevent these complications may be unwarranted for most men with symptoms of this disorder. Here is why.First, even among . . .