Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) affects all men. Get yours treated today.
About the Prostate
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small but important gland in the male reproductive system located deep inside the groin, between the base of the penis and the rectum.
Why is the prostate important?
The prostate is important for reproduction because it supplies the seminal fluid, which mixes with sperm from the testes. Seminal fluid helps the sperm to travel and survive. (1)
What is prostate enlargement and why does it happen?
As men age, the prostate can grow from the size of a walnut to about the size of a lemon. It’s not clear why the prostate grows like this, but it’s believed certain male hormones such as dihydrotestosterone tend to act more strongly on the prostate gland later in life. (2)
Why does my prostate affect my bladder?
Because the prostate is located just below the bladder, when it becomes larger it can place pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body.
Diagnosis and Treatment for BPH
Diagnosis
A doctor may do a number of things to find the cause of urinary problems, including: taking a medical history and description of symptoms; a physical examination; blood or urine tests; and sometimes ultrasound or digital rectal exam. (4)
Treatment Options
Watchful waiting if symptoms aren’t too bothersome and no complications arise.
Behavioral modification, such as drinking fewer liquids before bed, drinking less caffeine and alcohol, or avoiding over-the-counter medications such as decongestants or antihistamines that can make prostate problems worse.
Medication may help to minimize symptoms or growth of the prostate when symptoms become more advanced.
Minimally invasive therapies are available when medication alone does not relieve symptoms of BPH, or when patients prefer not to take pills daily or experience medication-related side effects.
Surgery is sometimes necessary for larger prostates or medically complicated patients.
Medication is the most common first-line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms of prostate enlargement; however, minimally invasive or surgical therapy might be recommended if symptoms are moderate to severe, medication doesn’t relieve the symptoms, or the patient has other health issues.
Surgical Treatments for BPH
GreenLight™ Laser Therapy
GreenLight™ Laser Therapy provides rapid relief of symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). During the GreenLight procedure, the tissue blocking your prostate is rapidly heated and vaporized. Natural urine flow is rapidly restored in most patients. Typically, the procedure is performed as a same-day surgery.
UroLift® System
Treatment with the UroLift® System uses a minimally invasive approach that provides rapid relief and recovery of BPH symptoms. (6) It is an earlier treatment option can get men off BPH medications and avoid major surgery. The goal of the UroLift System treatment is to relieve symptoms so you can get back to your life and resume your daily activities.
Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy
Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy is an in-office treatment for men looking to treat BPH, not just the symptoms. It uses natural water vapor to reduce the size of the prostate and provide lasting symptom relief from BPH without invasive surgery or the potential side effects of prescription drugs. (5)
Holmium Enucleation of the Prostate
Utilizing the holmium laser, Dr. Pan will enucleate (to liberate) the overgrown prostatic tissue from the capsule. All the while the laser will continuously seal off any bleeding vessels. When all the obstructive tissue has been freed, it is then extracted from the bladder utilizing a specialized instrument called the morcellator. Typically, the procedure is performed as a same-day surgery, but an overnight stay may be recommended for some patients. Most patients will only need a catheter for one day.
Citations
1. Medical News Today. “What is the Prostate Gland?” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319859.php.
2. Harvard Health Publishing. “The growing problem of an enlarged prostate gland” https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/the-growingproblem-of-an-enlarged-prostate-gland.
3. McVary KT, Gange SN, Gittelman MC, et al. Minimally invasive prostate convective water vapor energy ablation: A multicenter, randomized, controlled study for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2016 May;195(5):1529- 38.
4. Urology Care Foundation. “How is BPH diagnosed?” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia- (bph)/diagnosis?article=59.
5. McVary KT, Rogers T, Roehrborn CG. Rezūm water vapor thermal therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: 4-year results from randomized controlled study. Urology. 2019 Apr;126:171-9.
6. Roehrborn, J Urol 2013, L.I.F.T. Study