How Can I Treat BPH?

If you want to treat BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) it's important to research all your options. But what is BPH, how will you know if you have this condition, and when is it time to call your doctor? This post provides answers to all these questions, along with critical information on a new, minimally invasive treatment option.

What is BPH?

This common condition can lead to a variety of disruptive symptoms due to an enlarged prostate gland. While these symptoms vary, they most commonly; include Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as:

• The sudden, urgent need to urinate
• Incontinence
• Nocturia, (waking at least twice a night to urinate)
• Difficulty getting your urinary flow to start, or straining to release urine
• Painful urination
• Incomplete bladder emptying with urination
• Dribbling flow towards the end of urination
• Returning UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)
• Bladder stones
• Blood in your urine
• Reduced bladder capacity

What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?

There is not one clear cause for BPH. However, age, testosterone levels, and testicular cell changes increase the risk for an enlarged prostate. Because there are so many potential causes, most men experience at least some prostate enlargement after turning 40. Then, by the time they turn 80, nearly all men will develop BPH.

Do I Need to Treat BPH?

The decision to treat prostate enlargement depends on your quality of life. Then, symptom severity can determine the appropriate course of treatment. Initially, you may find relief by making small lifestyle changes that include increasing exercise, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and using the restroom as soon as you feel the need to urinate.

Over time, though, you may require medical support to find LUTS relief. And, while we used to treat BPH with surgery or prescription medication, we can now provide relief with minimally invasive PAE (prostatic artery embolization.)

Finding LUTS Relief with PAE

Now that the FDA and American Urologic Association approve PAE to treat BPH, we offer this minimally invasive, same-day, outpatient procedure at the Texas Prostate Insitute. Our interventional radiologists use PAE to relieve BPH symptoms with minimal risks for sexual side effects or incontinence. Plus, we can perform this procedure by inserting a small catheter into your wrist, avoiding large incisions. Next, guided by X-ray technology, we insert beads that block blood flow to your prostate so that it shrinks within two weeks of your PAE procedure. In turn, you should notice an improvement in BPH symptoms, and your sexual health may also benefit.

Ready to treat BPH without surgery or added side effects? Click here to request an appointment today. We'll review your BPH symptoms and help you decide if PAE is your best treatment option.