Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate, is a condition that affects millions of men, especially as they age. The prostate gland, located just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, can enlarge due to various factors, leading to a range of urinary symptoms that can significantly impact a man’s quality of life. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options available at Precision Urology is important for managing BPH effectively and restoring comfort in daily activities.
Symptoms of BPH
BPH can manifest through various urinary symptoms that can be bothersome and disruptive to everyday life. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Frequent Urination: Many men with BPH find themselves needing to urinate more often, especially during the night (nocturia), which can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to fatigue.
- Urgency to Urinate: A sudden, strong urge to urinate can occur, making it difficult to delay going to the bathroom.
- Weak Urine Flow: The flow of urine may become weak or intermittent, making it challenging to completely empty the bladder.
- Difficulty Starting Urination: Men may experience a delay or straining when trying to initiate urination.
- Dribbling at the End of Urination: Some men notice that urine continues to dribble after they believe they have finished urinating.
- Incomplete Bladder Emptying: The sensation of not fully emptying the bladder can lead to frequent bathroom visits.
These symptoms can significantly affect a man’s daily life, leading to feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and anxiety. The need to frequently visit the restroom can disrupt work, social outings, and even intimate moments, impacting overall enjoyment of life. Moreover, poor sleep quality due to nocturia can lead to a cycle of fatigue, irritability, and reduced productivity.
Who Is at Risk for BPH?
Several factors contribute to the risk of developing BPH, primarily related to age and hormonal changes:
- Age: The risk of BPH increases with age, with symptoms commonly starting in men in their 50s and becoming more prevalent in those over 70. Studies indicate that nearly 90% of men over 80 may experience some degree of BPH symptoms.
- Family History: A family history of prostate problems may increase the likelihood of developing BPH. Genetic predisposition can play a role in the condition’s development.
- Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormone levels, particularly testosterone and estrogen, may contribute to prostate enlargement as men age.
- Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor diet may also increase the risk of developing BPH. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, have been linked to an increased risk of BPH.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for BPH
Lifestyle Modifications
Under the supervision of Dr. Amar Patel, patients can expect to make changes such as increasing physical activity, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and practicing bladder training techniques to improve symptoms of BPH. These adjustments often lead to noticeable improvements in urinary frequency and urgency.
Alpha Blockers
When taking alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin or alfuzosin, patients typically notice relief from urinary symptoms within a few days to weeks as these medications relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow. Most common medications include tamsulosin (Flomax), silodosin (Rapaflo), and alfuzosin (Uroxatral).
5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors
Medications like finasteride and dutasteride work gradually to reduce prostate size by blocking the hormone that contributes to its growth. Patients may take several months to experience significant improvements, but these medications can effectively alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of surgery. Most common medications include finasteride (Proscar) and Dutasteride (Avodart).
Tadalafil (Cialis)
In addition to treating erectile dysfunction, tadalafil can help relieve BPH symptoms by relaxing smooth muscle in the bladder and prostate. Patients can expect to notice improvements in urinary flow and urgency, usually within a week of starting treatment.
Office-Based Outpatient Procedures
UroLift
UroLift is a minimally-invasive procedure that treats patients suffering from an enlarged prostate. This treatment technique is incredibly unique because it does not require cutting, heating, or the removal of prostate tissue. Instead, the UroLift system utilizes tiny implants to hold the prostate lobes apart, increasing the opening of the urethra. A catheter is not typically placed in the urethra after the procedure. Many patients report complete symptom relief in as little as two weeks.
Rezūm
Rezūm is FDA-approved and uses thermal energy to treat the excess prostate tissue that causes symptoms such as frequent and urgent need to urinate, weak stream, irregular flow, and straining. Benefits of Rezūm include a noticeable improvement of symptoms in as little as two weeks, no need for general anesthesia, preservation of urinary and sexual function, and ability for patients to return to regular activities in just a few days.
Optilume
This minimally-invasive surgical therapy combines mechanical dilation with concurrent localized delivery of paclitaxel for treating BPH. Mechanical dilation with the proprietary double-lobe balloon technology achieves an anterior commissurotomy (split) releasing the constricting lateral lobes, while the delivery of paclitaxel prevents re-fusion of the lobes and maintains patency during healing. With Optilume, there is no cutting, no heating, no burning, no lasering, no steaming, and no implantation.
iTIND
This new minimally-invasive treatment takes 5 to 7 days and offers immediate results. iTIND gently reshapes the urethra, widening the opening through which urine can flow. There are none of the side effects associated with prescription medications. Studies show iTIND preserves sexual function and urinary incontinence and avoids the complications of major surgery. Some patients experience side effects during the procedure, but they are generally only mild to moderate and resolved once the device is removed. With iTind, there is no heating or removal of prostate tissue, and no permanent implant is left behind.
Surgical Treatment Options
Aquablation
This method utilizes the precision of robotics while harnessing the power of water. Aquablation uses high-pressure saline to remove excess prostate tissue present in BPH patients to relieve the pressure that the prostate has placed on the urethra and possibly the bladder. This is a one-of-a-kind procedure with low rates of complications (such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculatory dysfunction).
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a minimally-invasive procedure for moderate to severe cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. While there are a number of newer therapies on the market today, TURP is often considered the most effective treatment option and continues to be a popular treatment technique for patients with BPH. For patients who do not want to undergo extensive surgery, TURP is a good choice because no incisions are made outside the body.
GreenLight Laser PVP (Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate)
This minimally-invasive procedure that treats BPH using high-powered lasers to vaporize overgrown prostate cells. The laser seals off blood vessels, causing less bleeding than other BPH treatment options. Patients are also able to resume normal activity levels within three to five days after the procedure, with a full recovery occurring in four to six weeks.
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
PAE is a minimally-invasive treatment that helps improve lower urinary tract symptoms caused by BPH. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through the groin and guided to the prostate arteries, where tiny particles are injected to reduce blood supply, leading to a decrease in prostate size and alleviation of urinary symptoms.
Robotic Simple Prostatectomy
This is a minimally-invasive procedure in which the inner core of the prostate gland is removed. Candidates for this surgery usually have prostate glands that are more than three times the normal size or the following symptoms: extremely slow urination, frequent bleeding from the prostate, bladder stones, kidney damage, and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Recovery from robotic simple prostatectomy is usually well tolerated and results in less pain, minimal blood loss, and less down time. Patients will need to use a catheter for several days after the procedure to help encourage safe urination.
HoLEP
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the prostate is a minimally-invasive procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. This procedure removes excess tissue with a laser, eliminating blockages and allowing urine to flow through the prostate. HoLEP offers several advantages to traditional prostate surgery, including no limit to prostate size before treatment, less bleeding, quicker discharge and recovery, and a lower chance of recurrence needing additional surgery
Precision Urology is Your Partner in Comprehensive Urological Care
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a common condition that can significantly affect a man’s quality of life. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options available is essential for managing the condition effectively. Whether through minimally invasive procedures such as aquablation, Urolift, or Rezum, or traditional methods like TURP, men have access to a range of effective treatments at Precision Urology in Phoenix, AZ that can help restore urinary function and improve overall well-being.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of BPH, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional such as Dr. Amar Patel to discuss your options. Early intervention and personalized treatment plans can lead to significant improvements in quality of life, allowing men to enjoy their everyday activities without the burden of urinary discomfort. To schedule a consultation, call 602-844-2254.