What to Do About Your Enlarged Prostate

Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate affects up to 90% of men by age 85. While it’s not always bothersome, effective treatment can alleviate any noticeable symptoms and protect you from complications. 

With his expert team at Midtown Manhattan practice, double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist Dr. Yosef Golowa provides prostate artery embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive BPH treatment. 

If you have an enlarged prostate, consider the following information for turning matters around.

Causes of an enlarged prostate

No one knows exactly what causes a prostate gland to grow excessively, but BPH seems to be linked to aging and hormones. As you go up in years, you may produce more dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that stimulates prostate cells. An enlarged prostate may also stem from genetic factors and changes in the cells in your testicles.

Enlarged prostate symptoms

Less than half of people with BPH experience symptoms. That said, bothersome effects are common after age 60. When symptoms crop up, they may include:

• Bloody or painful urination
• Delayed start of your urine stream
• Difficulty urinating at all
• Dribbling after urination
• Incomplete urination
• Straining to urinate
• A weak urine stream

An enlarged prostate can also cause frequent urination, including getting up twice or more most nights to relieve yourself.

What to do about an enlarged prostate

Seeing Dr. Golowa for an enlarged prostate is important, both for an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. The right BPH treatment can minimize any symptoms you develop and guard against urinary tract blockage, which is a dangerous complication.

For mild symptoms, you may fare well with self-care steps, such as urinating as soon as you feel an urge, avoiding alcohol and caffeine (especially late in the day), and exercising regularly. Managing stress and keeping yourself warm may help, too, given that stress and cold temperatures can worsen BPH symptoms.

Medical treatment for an enlarged prostate often includes medications that adjust your hormone levels, antibiotics if you have an infection, or surgery to resect or remove parts of your prostate. 

Dr. Golowa specializes in prostate artery embolization, which provides a much less invasive alternative to surgery. During PAE, tiny gel particles called microspheres, are injected to block some of the extra  vessels that supply your prostate with blood. Performed using a catheter through a pinhole-like puncture in your upper leg, you won’t have to worry about significant scarring or downtime. Side effects, such as fatigue or mild  urinary discomfort , tend to be mild and resolve within a few days and can be controlled with medication. 

After PAE, you can expect your prostate to shrink by about 50% while urinary symptoms greatly improve within 1-3 months. It’s very effective for about 90% of recipients.

To find out if PAE is right for you or to get started toward symptom relief, call our office or book an appointment with Dr. Golowa through our website today.