BPH Treatments: Many Paths to Recovery
As men age, they are more likely to experience an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is one of the leading reasons men visit a urologist because, by age 60, 50% of all men are experiencing symptoms.
This condition can lead to difficulty urinating, leakage, weak urine stream, and frequent urination, particularly at night. It is essential for men experiencing BPH symptoms to seek medical advice from a urologist to rule out prostate cancer and prevent other conditions from developing.
While BPH itself is not cancerous, it can cause other health issues if left untreated, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, or urinary incontinence.
Is it BPH?
If you suspect you have BPH, visit your urologist. Through a few simple tests and completion of an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) sheet, your urologist can put you on the path to wellness.
Many Paths to Relief
There are many different paths to try for relief of BPH symptoms. If one path doesn’t work, don’t give up! Today, there are so many available treatments and clinical trials underway for yet more new treatments so men do not have to suffer from the bothersome symptoms of BPH.
Some men prefer trying conservative management or lifestyle modifications first to control their BPH symptoms. These include simple diet hacks, adjustments to bathroom habits, and elimination of some over-the-counter medications.
For other men, medications to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder can help urine flow better.
Finally, a wide variety of more advanced treatment options are available, from office-based procedures to surgical options. Each method is minimally invasive and has its unique benefits.
Prostate Artery Embolization
MIU also has a dedicated interventional radiology center called the IR Centers at MIU where a highly sought-after treatment is now being offered called prostate artery embolization (PAE).
During a PAE procedure, the interventional radiologist guides a microcatheter into the blood vessels supplying the prostate. Microscopic beads are then injected into these blood vessels, temporarily blocking the blood flow to the prostate gland. This blockage causes the prostate to shrink, soften, and eventually be absorbed over time, providing relief and improvement of symptoms within two to three weeks. Importantly, this procedure does not require a surgical incision or the insertion of a device into the urethra.
“Traditional surgical options for treating BPH are often not suitable for patients with large prostates,” explained MIU’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jason Hafron. “With PAE, we can offer our patients a non-surgical treatment option that allows them to return home the same day and experience quicker recovery times with lower complication risks.”
Patient Navigators
With so many ways to treat BPH, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. At MIU, we employ BPH Navigators to help you understand your diagnosis, coordinate communication between you and your urologist between office visits, evaluate your treatment response, and make the entire journey easier.
For more information on BPH, its causes, and risk factors, please visit our website dedicated to the condition, diagnosis, and treatment. To find a urologist near you, visit our website.
