TREATMENTS

Enlarged Prostate

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Not everyone requires therapy for an enlarged prostate. Talk with your urologist about the available options so you can feel confident about the treatment pathway you choose.​

Connecting with a specialist can help you make an informed decision about your enlarged prostate treatment

Which treatment you choose for an enlarged prostate will depend on how significantly your symptoms impact your quality of life among other factors. There are several treatment options available to you including:​

  • Active surveillance​
  • Prescription medications​
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Surgical solutions​

Treatments for an enlarged prostate explained

There are many different treatment options available for benign prostatic enlargement ranging from active surveillance to more invasive surgical procedures. Not all treatment options are listed here. Be sure to consult a specialist near you for additional support and to explore the most appropriate therapy for your individual needs.

Active surveillance

Also known as watchful waiting, involves regular checkups with your urologist where you will have a physical exam and other tests to check the size of your enlarged prostate. These visits are also a great time to share changes in your symptoms and get advice about your condition. Active surveillance is usually recommended for people with mild symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Benefits

  • Can be an option for men with mild to moderate symptoms
  • Possible to manage and prevent symptoms through lifestyle changes rather than medical intervention

 

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Risks and side effects

Talk with your physician about the risks before making any medical decision.

  • Make sure you tell your urologist if symptoms get worse or new symptoms appear so they can suggest an alternate treatment

 

Prescription medications

There are a range of prescription medications for treating an enlarged prostate.  Some of these work by shrinking the prostate over time, and some target urine control and flow to reduce frequent urination. Medications can be used by themselves or in combination with other treatments.

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Benefits

  • Can effectively treat symptoms of prostate enlargement in some patients
  • Usually comes in pill form

 

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Risks & side effects

These are some of the common side effects of medication for enlarged prostate. As always, you should talk with your physician about the risks before taking any medications.

  • Medications are associated with potential side effects.
  • Common side effects of BPE medications can include erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive. Some medications may also cause low blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, and abnormal ejaculation.

 

Minimally invasive interventions

There are several types of minimally invasive treatments for an enlarged prostate. The following are just a few examples of minimally invasive interventions used to treat enlarged prostate.

Laser treatments

Photovaporisation and laser enucleation use high-intensity laser light to reduce the size of the prostate. The surgeon inserts a high-power laser into the urethra to vaporise and coagulate excess prostate tissue, rather than physically removing it. You will likely need to use a catheter for at least a few days after treatment.

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Benefits

  • Minimally invasive with no open wounds to heal, and associated with reduced hospital stay
  • Enlarged prostate symptoms were reduced significantly following treatment and the improvements were maintained for at least five years
  • May be a treatment option for men with a higher risk of bleeding

 

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Risks and side effects

These are some of the common risks of laser therapy for enlarged prostate but not the only ones. As always, you should talk with your physician about the risks before any medical procedure.

  • Infection, fever, inflammation, scarring, pain
  • Bleeding 
  • Incontinence issues 
  • Retrograde ejaculation
  • Damage to structures near the surgical area (bowel, bladder, ureters and nerves)

 

Water vapour therapy

This treatment uses steam to ablate prostate cells and reduce the size of the prostate to relieve pressure on the urethra. The surgeon will insert a device into the urethra to deliver steam to the prostate. This treatment may be recommended for men who want to avoid medications or would prefer a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Benefits

  • Performed using local anaesthetic or oral pain relief
  • Helps to preserve sexual function
  • May improve quality of life for at least 4 years

 

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Risks & side effects

These are some of the common risks of water vapour therapy but not the only ones. As always, you should talk with your physician about the risks before any medical procedure.

  • Blood may appear in your urine for several days after surgery
  • You may need to use a catheter for several days following the treatment
  • Painful and/or frequent urination that may last for two to three weeks

 

A physician explains unrinary incontinance to her elderly patients

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Surgical Solutions

Depending on the severity of your condition and other potential factors, your physician may recommend removal of part or all of your prostate.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

This treatment for an enlarged prostate uses laser technology to cut and remove tissue from the prostate to reduce its size and improve your symptoms. It is generally recommended for men with moderate to severe symptoms of an enlarged prostate. TURP is the most common type of surgery for BPE.

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Benefits

  • Performed using general or spinal anaesthetic
  • May improve quality of life for at least 5 years

 

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Risks and side effects

These are some of the common risks and complications of TURP. As always, you should talk with your physician about the risks before any medical procedure.

  • Retrograde or “dry” ejaculation
  • Fertility issues
  • Surgery can lead to a decline in ejaculatory function.
  • Any patients who undergo TURP develop Incontinence
  • Bleeding and infection

 

Prostate removal

Open prostatectomy is a major surgery that usually requires a stay in hospital and has a recovery time of a few weeks. It is generally only recommended for people with a prostate around 80 mL (about four times larger than a healthy prostate).

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Benefits

  • A long-term solution for an enlarged prostate

 

59 million people affected by Atrial Fibrillation

Risks & side effects

These are some of the common risks of prostate removal. As always, you should talk with your physician about the risks before any medical procedure.

  • Infection
  • Risk of bleeding
  • Being unable to pass urine and other urinary issues
  • Scarring that narrows the urethra
  • Temporary pain when peeing
  • You will need a catheter for a few weeks while you recover

 

A physician explains unrinary incontinance to her elderly patients

Find a urology specialist near you

Concerned about any of the symptoms you have read about here? Get in touch with a urologist to discuss them and get answers to questions you may have.

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Frequently asked questions about Enlarged Prostate Treatment

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating an enlarged prostate. Your urologist can help you explore the available options and determine which treatment is best suited to your individual needs.

Incontinence is a well-known side effect of some BPE treatments. In many cases, it resolves itself but speak with your urologist if it does not. There may be incontinence treatments that can help.

Depending on which treatment for enlarged prostate you have, you may experience issues with sexual function afterwards. This can include a decreased sex drive, problems with ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction . Fortunately, there are additional therapies that can help overcome sexual side effects from enlarged prostate treatment.

No. There is no evidence to suggest a link between Benign Prostatic Enlargement and prostate cancer. Treatment for an enlarged prostate should primarily be about improving symptoms of the condition.

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