Surprising
Curcumin improved prostate symptoms by more than 4 points on the IPSS scale in a meta-analysis of 697 men — but the trials were too different from each other to trust that number as universal.
This is intriguing but early: a single meta-analysis suggests turmeric may help urinary symptoms, but the studies it pooled varied widely in design, and the dose remains unknown, so this isn't yet a reliable recommendation for all men.
A meta-analysis of nearly 700 men found that taking curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) was associated with a 4.11-point improvement on the International Prostate Symptom Score — a standard measure of how bothersome urinary issues like urgency, frequency, and weak stream are. The same analysis also reported significant reductions in prostate volume, uric acid, and urine left in the bladder after voiding, as well as improved peak urine flow. However, the underlying studies were quite different from each other in how they were run, which limits how broadly we can apply this result, and no standard dose was reported, so it's unclear what anyone would need to take to potentially see this effect.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Turmeric for Improved International Prostate Symptom Score — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
Curcumin versus placebo in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Meta-Analysis
- n = 697
- 2026-06-05
- European journal of clinical pharmacology
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.