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Prostate enlargement becomes more common with age, but not everyone develops symptoms or needs treatment. South Island Interventional Radiology in Christchurch assesses patients for minimally invasive treatment options. Assessment is needed to establish the cause of urinary symptoms and whether prostate artery embolisation may be appropriate.
What is an enlarged prostate?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Enlargement can obstruct urine flow. BPH is not prostate cancer, but the two can coexist, and urinary symptoms can have other causes.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can include needing to pass urine more often, waking at night to urinate, urgency, a weak or interrupted stream, difficulty starting, and a feeling that the bladder has not emptied. Sleep disturbance may become severe, with resultant daytime fatigue and poor confidence in social settings. These symptoms are not specific to BPH, so persistent or changing symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Non-surgical treatment
Not all men with BPH require surgery. There are numerous non-surgical treatments to address enlarged prostate symptoms. One of the newer options is prostate artery embolisation (PAE). Using image guidance, the treatment reduces the blood supply to the prostate so that the gland gradually shrinks. As it gets smaller, it presses less on the bladder and urethra, and urinary symptoms often improve. South Island Interventional Radiology offers PAE. It is a minimally invasive procedure, and recovery is usually quicker than after surgery.
When to seek help
It may be sensible to consult with your doctor if you are finding that the increased frequency of urination is a disturbance to your sleeping habits and daily life, or that it is having a significant impact on your work, self-confidence and ability to participate fully in social activities. By treating the problem early, you can access a range of treatments, and more importantly, you may be able to avoid more extensive treatments later on.
Timely treatment
Treatment can help relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and improve quality of life. Many patients can manage their symptoms without surgery, although results vary and further treatment may be needed. If urinary symptoms are affecting your daily life, speak with your doctor about the options available and which approach may be right for you.