In short, yes, surgery is not the only path to relief for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- Lifestyle modifications. Simple adjustments to your daily routine can significantly reduce urinary urgency and frequency.
- Medication management. Prescription drugs can effectively relax bladder muscles or shrink the prostate gland itself.
- Minimally invasive therapies. Innovative procedures offer effective results with less downtime than traditional surgical interventions.
Finding an effective treatment of enlargement of the prostate gland often brings up the fear of going under the knife. However, surgery is not always the necessary path forward for men suffering from this common condition.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a noncancerous condition that affects millions of men as they age. Fortunately, medical advancements provide numerous non-surgical avenues to find relief.
What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As men age, the prostate gland often goes through two main growth phases.
The first phase occurs early in puberty, and the second phase starts around age 25 and continues for most of a man’s life. Benign prostatic hyperplasia often occurs during this second growth phase. As the gland enlarges, it can squeeze or pinch the urethra.
This pressure causes the bladder wall to become thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty completely. This leads to the oversized prostate symptoms that bring patients to the urologist.
Common symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty starting a stream, and the inability to empty the bladder. If left untreated, these issues can lead to urinary tract infections or kidney damage.
Is Watchful Waiting a Viable Option?
For men with mild symptoms, immediate medical treatment might not be necessary. A physician might recommend a strategy known as active surveillance or watchful waiting. This approach involves regular checkups to monitor the progression of the condition.
During this time, lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms effectively. Reducing the intake of caffeine and alcohol can prevent bladder irritation. Limiting fluid intake in the evening helps reduce the need to urinate in the middle of the night.
Physicians also recommend urinating as soon as you feel the urge. Waiting too long can overstretch the bladder muscle and cause damage. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight also plays a crucial role in hormone regulation and prostate health.
Which Medications Help Manage Symptoms?
Medication is the most common method for the treatment of enlargement of the prostate gland for men with moderate symptoms. There are several classes of drugs available. Each works differently to alleviate oversized prostate symptoms.
Alpha-blockers
These medications relax the muscles of the prostate and the bladder neck. This relaxation makes it easier to urinate. Alpha-blockers work quickly, often within a couple of days.
Common alpha-blockers include alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), and tamsulosin (Flomax).
5-alpha reductase inhibitors
These drugs work by preventing hormonal changes that cause prostate growth. Unlike alpha-blockers, these medications can actually shrink the prostate.
However, they may take up to six months to become effective. Examples include finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart).
Combination therapy
A physician might recommend taking an alpha-blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor at the same time. This combination is often more effective than taking either medication alone. A common combination is dutasteride and tamsulosin (Jalyn).
What Are Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapies?
If medication does not provide relief, or if the side effects are too difficult to manage, minimally invasive therapies are the next step. These procedures often require shorter hospital stays and offer faster recovery times.
Water Vapor Thermal Therapy
This therapy, known as Rezūm, uses water vapor to remove excess prostate tissue. A physician injects steam into the prostate gland in nine-second doses. The steam destroys the excess cells, and the body naturally absorbs them over time.
Prostatic Urethral Lift
This procedure, often referred to as UroLift, involves using tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way. This opens the urethra without removing any tissue. It is a mechanical solution that does not affect sexual function.
Prostatic Artery Embolization
This is a procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Small particles are injected into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. This reduces blood flow, which causes the prostate gland to shrink.
When Is Surgery The Only Option?
While non-surgical methods are effective for many, there are specific cases where surgery is unavoidable. If a patient experiences complete urinary retention, meaning they cannot urinate at all, invasive intervention is often required.
Surgery is also necessary if the patient has bladder stones, blood in the urine that does not stop, or kidney damage. Frequent urinary tract infections due to the inability to empty the bladder also necessitate surgical correction.
In these severe cases, procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or laser therapy are the gold standard. These surgeries involve removing the outer part of the prostate to restore urine flow.
Treatment for Enlargement of the Prostate Gland in Phoenix, AZ
At Ironwood Urology, we specialize in comprehensive urological care. Our team evaluates the severity of your symptoms and the size of your prostate to recommend the most appropriate path. We prioritize minimally invasive options whenever possible to ensure a quick return to daily activities. Whether you require medication management or advanced therapy like UroLift, we are here to help.
Do not let BPH control your life. Contact us today at (480) 961-2323 or request an appointment online to discuss your treatment options.
