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Men’s Health: Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

As men age, it’s common to experience changes in urinary function. One such condition is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. The prostate gland sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. When the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze the urethra, causing problems with urination.
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Symptoms of BPH:

  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak urine stream
  • Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
  • Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Sudden urge to urinate (urgency)
  • Dribbling after urination

Sound Familiar?

Take Our Quiz To See If You’re At Risk
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What Causes BPH and Who is at Risk?

The exact cause of BPH is unknown, but factors likely play a role:
N

Age:

Risk increases significantly after age 50.

N

Family history:

Having a father or brother with BPH increases your risk.

N

Testosterone levels:

Changes in testosterone and other hormones may contribute.

Treatment Options for BPH:

There are several treatment options available for BPH, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Our goal is to improve your urinary function and quality of life.
  • Watchful waiting: If symptoms are mild, monitoring may be sufficient.
  • Medications: Medications can relax the prostate muscles or shrink the prostate gland.
  • Minimally Invasive Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE): At Prospero, we are proud to offer Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) as a minimally invasive treatment for BPH. During PAE, our interventional radiologists use a catheter to reach the arteries supplying blood to the prostate. Tiny particles are then injected, blocking blood flow to the enlarged tissue and causing it to shrink over time.

Benefits of PAE:

  • Minimally invasive with a quicker recovery time compared to surgery.
  • Offers long-lasting symptom relief.
  • Performed on an outpatient basis.
  • Surgery: Traditional surgical procedures can remove or reshape prostate tissue but may have longer recovery times and potential side effects.