Enlarged prostate (BPH) treatment in Atlanta
Enlarged prostate treatment ranges from monitoring and medication to minimally invasive procedures such as UroLift and prostate artery embolization (PAE) and surgery such as Aquablation, HoLEP, ThuLEP and TURP. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not cancer, but it can press on the urethra and cause bothersome urinary symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Chirag Dave
Key facts
- BPH is benign and unrelated to prostate cancer.
- It is a common reason men see a urologist.
- Medication works only while you keep taking it.
- UroLift involves no cutting, heating or removal of tissue.
- Prostate artery embolization (PAE) shrinks the prostate through a catheter placed in an artery, not through the urethra.
Symptoms
- Frequent need to urinate, day and night
- Weak or slow urinary stream
- Feeling that you cannot completely empty your bladder
- Difficulty or delay starting urination
- Urgent need to urinate
- A stream that stops and starts
Treatment options, least to most invasive
| Option | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Watchful waiting | For mild symptoms: monitor and track symptoms before deciding on treatment. |
| Medication | Alpha blockers relax muscle at the bladder neck; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors shrink the prostate. Taken long-term. |
| UroLift® | Small implants lift and hold prostate tissue out of the way; no cutting, heating or removal of tissue. |
| Prostate artery embolization (PAE) | A catheter placed through an artery in the wrist or upper thigh delivers tiny particles that reduce blood flow to parts of the prostate so it shrinks over time. Performed by an interventional radiologist working with Advanced Urology, in an outpatient setting; no tissue is removed. |
| Aquablation | Robotic, heat-free waterjet removal of prostate tissue, planned on live ultrasound; done under anesthesia with a catheter afterward. |
| ThuLEP and HoLEP | A laser separates and removes the enlarged inner part of the prostate through the urethra; suited to large prostates; a catheter is needed afterward. |
| TURP | Tissue removed through the urethra under general anesthesia; a long-established BPH surgery; a catheter for several days. |
Frequently asked questions
Is an enlarged prostate the same as prostate cancer?
No. BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate and is unrelated to prostate cancer, although it can greatly affect quality of life.
What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Frequent urination day and night, a weak or slow stream, feeling that the bladder is not empty, trouble starting, urgency, and a stream that stops and starts.
Do I have to take BPH medication forever?
Medication works only while you take it, so men usually continue long-term to keep the effect. If side effects or limited relief are a problem, a procedure such as UroLift or prostate artery embolization may be an alternative.
What side effects can BPH medications cause?
Some men have dizziness, headaches or sexual side effects, and some do not get enough relief.
Which BPH procedure is right for me?
It depends on your prostate size and shape, your symptoms, your health and your priorities, such as avoiding general anesthesia or protecting ejaculation. Your urologist will review the options with you.
Other prostate care
Prostatitis and prostate cancer screening: Prostate health.
Physicians who see patients for this
Talk with a urologist
Appointments at 14 Advanced Urology offices across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. Find an office.