Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions that can affect the male prostate. Over 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 experience it to varying degrees. Though non-cancerous, BPH can cause a number of issues including discomfort and troubles with urinating.
Thankfully, this isn’t something you simply have to live with.
There are multiple treatment options available for BPH. While many rely on medications to treat and relieve symptoms, these can cause a variety of side effects that are sometimes worse than BPH itself. For example, Flomax, the leading prescription for treating BPH and prostatitis, has recently been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia.
When it comes to treating BPH, simple surgical procedures can often provide safer, more permanent solutions than medication. Two of the most common procedures UroLift® and laser surgery.
Treating BPH with UroLift®
UroLift® is one of the leading treatments for BPH. UroLift® is minimally invasive, requiring no cutting, heating, or removing of the prostate tissue. The enlarged prostate is instead lifted out of the way, relieving urinary issues and discomfort.
UroLift® treatment is a simple 3-step process. Patients are given nitrous (laughing gas) before it begins.
Step 1: A UroLift® delivery device is placed through the urethra to access the enlarged prostate.
Step 2: Small implants are attached through the delivery device that hold the enlarged tissue out of the way, opening the urethra pathway.
Step 3: The UroLift® delivery device is removed, allowing the body to recover.
UroLift® provides quick, effective relief with a short recovery time. Patients can expect to be back to normal in less than two weeks. Many recover in just a few days. UroLift® also allows men to preserve full sexual function and avoid side effects like retrograde ejaculation.
You can get a better idea of how UroLift works by watching this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opmKgZ6SrKI
Laser Surgery for BPH
Laser Surgery offers many of the same benefits as UroLift including long-lasting results and minimal side effects. Unlike UroLift, however, laser therapy involves the removal of prostate tissue. The procedure is done in an operating room under general anesthesia. It works by inserting a small fiber into the urethra. Laser energy then runs through the fiber, heating up the prostate tissue and vaporizing it.
The process continues until all of the enlarged prostate tissue is gone. Once the procedure is over, and you have recovered, you will be able to urinate without hindrance. Recovery can take a little longer with laser surgery, lasting weeks or even months.
You can view see how one form of laser treatment works in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kVDI7OgjR8
Which is Right for You?
To learn your options for treating prostate and urinary conditions, you’ll need to meet with a urologist. First, they’ll properly diagnose your condition. BPH shares a number of symptoms with other prostate conditions, including prostate cancer. Once you have been officially diagnosed with BPH, your urologist will be able to discuss the available options and help you decide which is best for you.
At Urology Specialists of Ohio, we have helped countless patients find relief from BPH and other prostate conditions. You don’t have to accept urinary problems as a part of life. For urology in the Springfield and Dayton, Ohio area, contact us today!