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Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Symptoms & Treatment Options

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly called an enlarged prostate, is a noncancerous condition in which the prostate gland increases in size. BPH becomes increasingly common as men age and can cause urinary symptoms that interfere with sleep, daily activities and quality of life.¹

At PrecisionIR in Farmington Hills, Michigan, our interventional radiologists help men throughout Metro Detroit explore minimally invasive treatment options for enlarged prostate symptoms, including prostate artery embolization (PAE), a nonsurgical alternative for appropriately selected patients.

Explore Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) →

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)

Treatment Options for BPH

Most men with BPH are unhappy with the condition and do not wish to live the rest of their lives with its symptoms. For patients with mild symptoms, lifestyle modifications are often all that’s needed. For example, a doctor may recommend limiting fluid intake before bed or before a long car trip.

For those with moderate to severe symptoms, oral medications are typically the first line of treatment. There are various medications that can be used to treat the different symptoms associated with BPH, which can be ordered by your primary care doctor or a urologist.

If a patient fails medical management, has symptoms that progress while on medications, or develops a reason they can no longer tolerate the existing medications, surgery is then usually considered. There are several surgical options that a urologist can offer, depending on the size of the prostate gland and other factors. These treatments are typically invasive and require general anesthesia.

One surgical procedure used to treat BPH is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The aim of the surgery is to remove prostate tissue to relieve urethral obstruction. Unfortunately, the procedure has a risk of postoperative bleeding and damage to the nerves around the prostate gland. Side effects are common after TURP procedures and include infection, sexual dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.4

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an FDA-approved, less invasive treatment option for men with severe BPH symptoms. This convenient outpatient procedure may alleviate BPH symptoms for most men without the need for surgery.6

Learn more about our minimally invasive Prostate Artery Embolization procedure by clicking the link here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Early symptoms may include frequent urination, waking at night to urinate, difficulty starting urination, a weaker urine stream or feeling that the bladder is not completely empty. Symptoms often develop gradually and may become more noticeable over time.

No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate. Having BPH does not mean a man has prostate cancer.

Yes. Nocturia, or waking during the night to urinate, is a common symptom associated with BPH.

Urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction sometimes occur together, particularly as men age. However, the relationship is complex, and BPH does not necessarily cause erectile dysfunction.

Yes. You could be a candidate for a minimally invasive procedures such as prostate artery embolization (PAE). Click here for details.

References

  1. Berry, Stephen J., et al. “The Development of Human Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Age.” The Journal of Urology, vol. 132, no. 3, 1984, pp. 474–479.
  2. Lerner, Laurence B., et al. “Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: AUA Guideline Part I & II.” The Journal of Urology, vol. 206, no. 4, 2021, pp. 806–817.
  3. Rosen, Raymond, et al. “Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Male Sexual Dysfunction: The Multinational Survey of the Aging Male (MSAM-7).” European Urology, vol. 44, no. 6, 2003, pp. 637–649.
  4. Reich, Oliver, et al. “Morbidity, Mortality and Early Outcome of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of 10,654 Patients.” The Journal of Urology, vol. 180, no. 1, 2008, pp. 246–249.
  5. Carnevale, Francisco C., et al. “Prostatic Artery Embolization for Enlarged Prostates Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.” CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology, vol. 36, no. 2, 2013, pp. 315–323.
  6. Ray, Asim F., et al. “Prostatic Artery Embolization versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: 2-Year Outcomes of a Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Centre Trial.” European Urology, vol. 75, no. 4, 2019, pp. 698–707.
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