Minimally Invasive Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia for a Quick Recovery

Posted January 20, 2020 by Naveen K Arora, MD

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), otherwise known as prostate gland enlargement, is a common condition as men get older. An enlarged prostate can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms as well as bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.

In many men, the prostate continues to grow throughout life. This continued growth enlarges the prostate enough to cause BPH, which means they have urinary issues or their urine flow is significantly blocked.

The symptoms of BPH often vary, but they do tend to gradually worsen over time. Some common ones include:

• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Increased frequency of urination at night
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
• Dribble at the end of urination
• Inability to completely empty bladder

It isn’t clear what causes the prostate to enlarge, but there are risk factors for BPH, including:

• Aging – about 1 in 3 men experience moderate to severe symptoms by age 60 and 1 in 2 by 80.
• Family History – having a relative with prostate problems means you are more likely to have issues as well.
• Lifestyle – obesity, diabetes and heart disease can increase your risk of BPH, while exercise can lower that risk.

There are several effective treatments, which you and your doctor can work through together, but one effective and method is the UroLift^® System treatment. Treatment with the UroLift^® System uses a minimally invasive approach that provides rapid relief and recovery of BPH symptoms. The UroLift^® System has given many people a significant improvement in their quality of life and is safe and effective – it is one of the only BPH procedures shown not to cause new or lasting erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction.

How Does it Work?

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and patients return home the same day, typically without a catheter. The system is a permanent implant that lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue so it will no longer block the urethra. This procedure involves no cutting or heating of the area and typically takes less than 20 minutes to perform.

What is the Recovery Time?

Many patients experience symptom relief as early as 2 weeks. Some people may experience some discomfort, but side effects are usually mild.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Males ages 45 years or older and have symptoms or have been diagnosed with BPH are the ideal candidates for the UroLift^® System.

If you’re having urinary problems, visit your primary care physician or contact the Urology department at Summa Health. Untreated urinary conditions may lead to more problems, and it is important to identify underlying causes and treat the problem immediately. The Urology team at Summa Health is composed of experienced and highly trained physicians that you can rely on and trust to help you with your issues. The team will be able to diagnose your condition and give you insight into whether treatment options like the UroLift^® System are right for you.