If you’re a man over 50, you’re at risk for benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH. Over 14 million American men and 30 million men worldwide experience symptoms of BPH. It affects 30% of men over 50 and 90% of men over 85.
BPH causes the prostate gland to grow abnormally large, resulting in symptoms ranging from mild to severe. If you’re curious about BPH and how it can affect your health as you age, keep reading to discover its common symptoms, treatment options, and other information.
When you choose Prostate Specialists of Miami, you’ll meet our lead physician, Interventional Radiologist Dr. Adam S. Gropper. Dr. Gropper has over 20 years of experience treating venous and vascular disorders, including BPH. Contact us today at 786-500-5347 or complete our online form to schedule your first appointment and explore our cutting-edge treatments and how they can improve your life.
What is Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy?
BPH causes prostate tissue to grow excessively and produce new cells. As the gland grows, it puts pressure on the bladder and urethra, causing urinary problems.
Is There a Difference Between Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy and Hyperplasia?
Though many people use the terms interchangeably, benign prostatic hyperplasia and benign prostatic hypertrophy are slightly different.
Hypertrophy is when your existing prostatic cells swell in size, causing prostate gland enlargement.
Hyperplasia causes the body to ramp up its production of prostatic cells. The new cells are small but still numerous enough to enlarge your prostate.
Signs and Symptoms of BPH
The symptoms of BPH run the full spectrum from mild to uncomfortable to excruciating. Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Delayed, dribbling, or weak stream
- Sudden, intense urge to urinate
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Increased frequency of night urination
- Pain or discomfort during urination
- Inability to empty the bladder completely
- Bloody urine
Are you experiencing any of the above? Call us right away at 786-500-5347 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gropper and explore your treatment options.
How Can You Treat BPH?
Minimally Invasive Procedure (PAE)
Good news: BPH is entirely treatable. One of the safest and most effective treatment options we offer is PAE, or prostate artery embolization, a minimally invasive surgery technique.
PAE uses a small catheter and a balloon full of tiny plastic microspheres. Dr. Gropper will make a small puncture in your wrist or groin and insert the catheter, which is guided to the arteries supplying the prostate gland. Then, the microspheres travel down the artery and lodge in place to restrict blood flow. This restriction causes the enlarged gland to shrink, effectively relieving BPH symptoms.
You can also opt for more invasive surgical techniques. For example, some men choose transurethral procedures to relieve pressure on the urethra and bladder, however these require a more lengthy recovery period and are associated with a higher rate of sexual side effects.
Prescription Drugs
Some men with BPH can take prescription medication for treatment. One example is alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles of the bladder and urethra to reduce pressure and relieve symptoms. However, alpha-blockers are not suitable for patients with blood pressure problems.
FAQ About Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
What are the causes and risk factors of BPH?
Doctors aren’t entirely clear about what causes abnormal prostate growth, but they do know that the older you are, the higher your chances of getting BPH. The most common risk factors for BPH include:
- Old age
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Family history
Is Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Cancerous?
While the symptoms of BPH are slightly similar to prostate cancer, the two don’t share a connection. Remember, the B stands for benign, which means not cancerous. Fortunately, BPH does not increase your chances of getting prostate cancer.
Can BPH Go Away On Its Own?
In some cases, BPH goes away on its own, but it’s a rare occurrence for people with severe symptoms. About one-third of men find relief from very mild symptoms with no medication or treatment.
What is the Best Treatment for BPH?
It’s your decision which treatment fits your needs best, and we’ll discuss your available options during your consultation. However, we recommend choosing prostate artery embolization (PAE).
Why choose PAE? It’s an FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatment with a 90%+ success rate. It doesn’t have sexual side effects, and the procedure only takes about two hours in-office. Most of our patients only need one to two days of recovery post-session. Results can last between three and seven years (or more).
Get Your Life Back with PAE at the Prostate Specialists of Miami
If you’re experiencing BPH symptoms, don’t let yourself suffer another day. Contact Dr. Adam Gropper at the Prostate Specialists of Miami at 786-500-5347 or complete our online form to learn more about prostate artery embolization and schedule a consultation.
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Prostate Specialists of Miami
15400 Biscayne Boulevard #104
Aventura, FL 33160
786-500-5347
https://prostatespecialistmiami.com/
