If you’re over age 55, you’re at increased risk of suffering from prostate enlargement. Also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), an enlarged prostate is the most common noncancerous growth found in men. If the condition persists and you neglect treatment, your symptoms will eventually decrease your quality of life and cause significant health problems.
Fortunately, a cutting-edge treatment for BPH called prostate artery embolization (PAE) can provide relief. Here at the Prostate Specialists of Miami in beautiful Miami, Florida, we successfully treat patients with BPH symptoms daily using PAE.
When you choose us, you’ll experience our state-of-the-art cath lab and meet Interventional Radiologist Dr. Adam S. Gropper, a leading interventional radiologist and vascular specialist in Florida. Take the first step towards relief today by scheduling your initial consultation at 786-500-5347.
What Is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia?
BPH is one of the most common issues that men suffer from as they age. In fact, about 50% of men between ages 51 and 60 suffer from BPH, and that number increases to 90% of men over 80.
The walnut-sized prostate gland surrounds the urethra and sits snugly underneath the bladder. When BPH occurs, the gland swells and compresses the urethra, making urination difficult. When you’re young, the gland stays at an average, healthy size. However, it begins to swell as you age, putting pressure on the urethra and the bladder.
Symptoms of BPH
The symptoms of BPH can range from manageable to debilitating. If you experience any of the following signs that indicate an enlarging prostate, please talk with your doctor right away:
- Pain or difficulty with urination
- Frequent urination
- Strong or sudden urges to pee
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Decreased urinary flow rate
- Inability to urinate or fully empty your bladder
- Getting up frequently at night to pee
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization?
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive and safe procedure that can relieve BPH symptoms. PAE doesn’t require general anesthesia, and we can perform the entire treatment here in our office.
The process begins with Dr. Gropper making a small puncture at the top of the leg. Then, he’ll insert a small catheter in the femoral artery and use X-ray technology to guide the catheter into the arteries that supply the prostate gland. He’ll then infuse tiny inert microspheres into the artery which will lodge in place inside the prostate gland.
Once the microspheres are in the correct position, they’ll restrict blood flow to the gland, causing it to shrink and effectively relieve symptoms. You can expect a 20 to 40% shrinkage rate in the six months following your PAE treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing PAE?
PAE is a popular treatment because it has a high success rate and doesn’t require surgery. Choosing PAE provides many benefits for BPH sufferers over other more invasive treatments, including:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Lowers risk of urinary incontinence
- No risk of sexual side effects
- Eliminates the need for a catheter to empty the bladder
- Effectively relieves BPH symptoms
- Minimal pain and discomfort
- Provides long-lasting results
FAQ About Prostate Artery Embolization
How successful is PAE?
PAE is a very successful procedure. For example, a 2013 study showed a 97.9% success rate in a group of 255 patients suffering from BPH. As you can see, this treatment is an excellent choice for men suffering from an enlarged prostate and can provide effective relief from their symptoms.
How long does PAE last?
The PAE process takes about two to three hours, and you’ll be able to leave on the same day. Most men start to feel symptom relief within two to three weeks, and the results will continue to improve in the following months, lasting up to seven years, sometimes longer.
What are the side effects of PAE?
One of the best benefits of choosing PAE is that it doesn’t have the same adverse and painful side effects or prolonged recovery time as other urologic based surgeries such as Rezum, Aquablation, TURP, laser and others. In fact, most men report no discomfort at all after PAE and resume normal activities within 3 days.
Is PAE safe?
Yes, PAE is a safe treatment for enlargement of the prostate. If you’re not a candidate for surgery or want to avoid the adverse effects of surgery then PAE could be the solution you need to get your life back to normal and start feeling happy again.
Contact the Prostate Specialists of Miami Today
If you’re currently suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, we can help. Here at the Prostate Specialists of Miami, our PAE treatments can relieve symptoms in men with BPH and provide long-lasting results. Contact us at 786-500-5347 or complete our online form to learn more about how PAE can change your life and schedule your initial consultation today.
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Prostate Specialists of Miami
15400 Biscayne Boulevard #104
Aventura, FL 33160
786-500-5347
http://prostatespecialistmiami.com/
