Botox and the prostate: A new wrinkle
It earned notoriety as the cause of a deadly form of food poisoning, and it's considered a potential weapon of bioterrorists. But recently, botulinum toxin (Botox) has also achieved respectability as a cosmetic treatment for wrinkles and as a therapy for a broad range of medical problems. And a 2005 study suggests that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may someday join the list of conditions that can benefit from it.
The toxin
Botox is a protein produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. It binds to nerve fibers, preventing them from releasing acetylcholine, a chemical that allows nerves to communicate with muscles and other nerves. Without this chemical messenger, muscles cannot contract properly.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
