The aim of this work was to assess the prescription of saw palmetto phytomedicines for improving symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by urologists in Porto Alegre (Brazil). The study was transversal and exploratory consisting of a semi-structured interview with urologists. The sample was obtained from the UNIMED Catalog - Porto Alegre (Brazil). The randomization was made by chance, being selected thirty-five physicians. The first twenty-one who accepted to participate were interviewed. All the interviewed urologists treat patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The saw palmetto was not mentioned as the first or second choice for treating BPH. The α-blockers were the most mentioned pharmacological group. However, more than half of urologists have heard about the use of saw palmetto and most of them gathered the information in scientific papers. The results indicate that saw palmetto is not prescribed for urologists in Porto Alegre, although most of them have knowledge about this phytomedicine.
Serenoa repens; Arecaceae; saw palmetto; BPH; investigated study; urologists; Porto Alegre
