
Benign prostatic hyperplasia – in short, BHP, is also known as enlargement of prostate. The causes remain largely unclear. Risks include genetics, being overweight, incidence of type 2 form of diabetes, leading a sedentary lifestyle, etc. Men with erectile dysfunction are also likely to get this condition. Your prostate presses the urinary tube – called urethra – and this makes it tough to discharge urine. Tamsulosin is used widely for treating BHP. It also eases the passage of stones formed in kidneys. But do you know about tamsulosin uses in females? It is worth your while to have more inputs.
Renal calculus disease is also termed as kidney stone disease; in medical parlance it is known as urolithiasis. This condition results in formation of stones or stone-like materials inside your urinary tract. Stones or crystals of a smaller size may be discharged without any trace. However, when stones gather in size of say, more than 5 millimeters (mm) it becomes difficult to discharge such pieces.
In case of stones measuring more than 1/5th an inch, you may encounter an acute pain, especially in the lower-back region. Stones are formed in your renal system due to environmental and genetic reasons. Risks include intake of calcium-fortified supplements, turning obese, higher levels of calcium in urine, etc.
What is tamsulosin?
This med is used for treating an enlarged prostate and to ensure easy passage of stones from your kidneys. Tamsulosin is known to be effective in discharging stones sized 3 mm to 9 mm. This med received approval from the US-based FDA in the late 1990s.
It is now sold as a generic formulation. As per market research estimates, tamsulosin features among top 30 widely prescribed meds in US. The number of prescriptions written for it has already breached 22 million each year.
Tamsulosin use in females with kidney stones
Use of a med administered for enlarged prostate for treating women with kidney stones can be quite surprising. But, key chemicals of tamsulosin can decrease stimulation of smooth muscles, and thus enable passage of stones. On this front, tamsulosin is considered more effective than meds like nifedipine. This is one of the main reasons for its wider usage as compared to several other meds.
Another key advantage of tamsulosin usage in females is it is unlikely to trigger hypotension or drop in blood pressure level. The typical dosage plan involves intake of 0.4 milligram (mg). The dosage plan lasts 3 weeks depending on severity of your condition.
You also need to know how tamsulosin works. It works on select-receptors in your muscles and relaxes them. Once your muscles of ureters are relaxed, passages tend to widen. As a result, stones from kidneys are expelled.
But, tamsulosin does not offer a cure for kidney stones. Instead, it eases the symptoms. Your caregiver is likely to advise a few changes to your lifestyle. For example, it is helpful to take fluids like water; this further helps discharge stones.
Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker drug. These meds are known to ease ureteral muscles i.e., tubes connecting your bladder to kidneys. Intake of this med helps avoid invasive techniques like surgeries or procedures like lithotripsy.
Another advantage of this med is the shorter timespan it takes to make stones pass through. Hence, females who take tamsulosin can get well sooner and re-start their active lifestyle swiftly. Users need to know that tamsulosin is an over the counter (OTC) drug. Its use is strictly as per a medication plan made by a certified clinical practitioner.
In sum, tamsulosin relaxes the muscles of ureters to ease the passing of stones out of your renal system. Tamsulosin use in females with kidney stones has gained wider acceptance due to its efficacy. Speak with your physician to have more inputs on how it helps discharge kidney stones.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.