As men age, their prostate gland may begin to enlarge. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and it can cause a range of symptoms that affect a man’s quality of life. These symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty starting or maintaining a stream of urine, and the feeling that you need to urinate even though your bladder is empty. While medication has traditionally been used to treat BPH, there are now several new treatment options available. In this article, we will explore these new treatment options and help you understand the risks and benefits associated with each one.

What Is an Enlarged Prostate and How Common Is It?

An enlarged prostate occurs when the prostate gland becomes larger than normal. The exact causes of BPH are not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to changes in hormone levels as men age. BPH is very common, affecting around 50% of men over the age of 60.

New Treatment Options for Enlarged Prostates

There are several new treatment options for BPH that have become available in recent years. These include:

1. UroLift – This procedure involves placing small implants inside the prostate gland to hold it open and allow urine to flow more easily. It is minimally invasive and does not require any cutting or heating of the prostate tissue.

2. Rezum – This procedure uses steam energy to destroy excess prostate tissue and create a channel for urine to flow through. It is also minimally invasive and requires only local anesthesia.

3. Aquablation – This procedure uses water pressure to remove excess prostate tissue and create a channel for urine to flow through. Like the other procedures mentioned above, it is minimally invasive and does not require any cutting or heating of the prostate tissue.

Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Each Treatment Option

Each of these new treatment options has its own set of risks and benefits. For example, while they are all minimally invasive and do not require any cutting or heating of the prostate tissue, they may still carry some risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding organs. Additionally, the effectiveness of these procedures varies from patient to patient, so it’s important to discuss your individual situation with your doctor before deciding which option is best for you.

Recovering from Treatment and Maintaining a Healthy Prostate

After undergoing one of these new treatment options, most patients experience some degree of discomfort and swelling in the days following the procedure. However, this usually resolves within a few weeks. To promote recovery and maintain a healthy prostate, it’s recommended that patients follow a healthy diet, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and heavy lifting for a period of time after the procedure.