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Benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common problem among older men. If you have this condition, your prostate is enlarged, leading to several issues with urination and sexual function. If you’re looking for an option that helps you get rid of your symptoms without extensive surgery, prostatic artery embolization, or PAE, can help.
At NY Urology, Dr. David Shusterman and Dr. Chong-Min Kim are our nephrology and kidney stone specialists. Dr. Shusterman and Dr. Kim both have years of experience treating BPH, and are happy to offer PAE as a minimally invasive option for treating your symptoms.
Your prostate is responsible for making seminal fluid, which allows your sperm to travel and stay healthy when you ejaculate. It’s located right below your bladder, and actually surrounds a portion of your urethra, which transports urine to your penis to be expelled.
As you age, your prostate naturally enlarges, which isn’t anything to be concerned about. However, in some cases, the enlargement squeezes the urethra, leading to a number of uncomfortable urinary symptoms. This condition is known as benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH.
Although BPH is relatively harmless, it makes urinating more difficult than it needs to be. You may have BPH if you notice any of the following symptoms:
If you have BPH, it also leads to dribbles at the end of urination, like you can’t get all of the urine out. The main symptoms have to do with urination, but BPH may also affect your bladder and kidneys as well.
If you’re struggling with BPH symptoms and are looking for a safe and effective treatment option, prostatic artery embolization is a great choice.
This procedure is a great option compared to other, more invasive surgical procedures. It’s relatively simple, and involves a tiny incision where a catheter is inserted into your body. That catheter leads to the arteries that supply your prostate gland.
Once the catheter is in your prostatic arteries, a fluid containing thousands of tiny plastic molecules is released into the vessels. Over time, these molecules block the blood flow to your prostate, allowing it to shrink significantly in size.
When your prostate shrinks, it takes the pressure off of your urethra. This should eliminate all of your urinary symptoms. The best part is, there are no sexual side effects, as there are with other BPH treatments.
PAE is minimally invasive, and is done by an interventional radiologist. It’s an outpatient procedure, and only takes about two hours. You can go home the same day, and typically are able to return to your normal activities within a few days.
If you’re looking to get rid of your symptoms without a lot of side effects or downtime, PAE is the perfect choice. PAE offers you an alternative to invasive surgery, without comprimising your sex life. There are many other reasons why PAE is a great option for BPH, including:
You can always start with medications to ease your symptoms, but if they don’t work, PAE is the next best option. It keeps you from having to undergo intense surgical procedures that cause a lot of side effects.
Both Dr. Shusterman and Dr. Kim offer you counseling on your options when your BPH symptoms are affecting your life. PAE is a great choice when you want a safe, yet effective treatment for urinary symptoms caused by BPH.
If you’re tired of living with the symptoms of BPH, call NY Urology today at 212-991-9991 to set up an appointment. You can also book on the website using our convenient scheduling tool.
