Enlarged Prostate
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate that often occurs as we age. As the prostate enlarges, it may squeeze down on the urethra and cause the bladder wall to become thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose its ability to empty completely, which is known as urinary retention. This, along with the narrowing of the urethra, typically causes many of the problems associated with BPH.
What are Symptoms of BPH?
- Frequent need or urge to urinate (even immediately after urinating)
- Increased frequency of urination, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine flow or a stream that stops and starts
- Dribbling of urine
- Inability to completely empty the bladder
- Waking up at night to urinate (nocturia)
How is BPH Diagnosed?
- Digital rectal exam (DRE)
- Urinalysis (urine test)
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
- Post-void residual volume (PVR)
- Uroflowmetry
- Cystoscopy
- Urodynamic pressure test
- Ultrasound of prostate
Treatments for BPH
There is a variety of effective treatments for enlarged prostate. Ideal treatment options depend on personal factors including age, overall health, prostate size and amount of discomfort. If symptoms are tolerable, you and your doctor may just monitor your symptoms. For some men, symptoms may ease without treatment. If they do not, your doctor may recommend:
Medication
Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Aquablation Therapy treatment for BPH uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide long-lasting BPH relief without compromise. It is precise, consistent, and predictable, and provides long-term relief no matter how large your prostate.
- Laser therapy uses high-energy lasers to remove overgrown prostate tissue. This can immediately relieve symptoms and has a lower risk of side effects. It is typically recommended for those taking blood-thinning medications.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves removing all but the outer part of the prostate. TURP generally relieves symptoms quickly, returning a stronger urine flow soon after the procedure.
- UroLift® (Prostatic Urethral Lift) uses special tags to compress the sides of the prostate to increase urine flow. This is a quick outpatient procedure with a very fast recovery.
- ExactVuTM Micro-Ultra Sound – Revolutionizing prostate biopsies
- ExactVu is an innovative technology that offers several advantages over traditional ultrasound for prostate biopsies:
- Equivalent Safety
- ExactVu uses similar ultrasound waves as conventional ultrasound, ensuring the same level of safety for patients.
- Superior Resolution
- ExactVu boasts a 300% improvement in image resolution, allowing our urologists to see near-microscopic details within the prostate. This is why it’s called “micro” - for its microscopic-level precision.
- Targeted Biopsies - With this enhanced visualization, our urologists can better identify and target suspicious areas within the prostate, potentially leading to more accurate biopsies.
- Robotic surgery, using the daVinci® Xi robotic system, is an option for men with very large prostates. Robotic surgery results in less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss during surgery, a shorter hospital stay, less risk of infection, minimal scarring and a faster return to normal activity compared to open surgery.
Meet the Team
Summa Health's Urology team are compassionate, fellowship-trained specialists who treat a wide range of urologic and pelvic issues.