You may not give much thought to the function of the prostate gland until symptoms start to affect your daily routine. Whether you’re noticing changes in your urinary habits or you’re concerned about conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer, it helps to understand how this small gland plays a significant role in your body. The prostate is responsible for supporting both urinary flow and reproductive health, and when issues arise, they can lead to uncomfortable symptoms that are hard to ignore.
Let’s take a closer look at what the prostate gland does, how it supports your body, and what happens when problems arise. We’ll also cover the treatment options available to manage prostate conditions and improve your quality of life.
The Role of the Prostate Gland in Your Body
The prostate gland is a small, walnut-shaped organ located just below your bladder. It wraps around the urethra—the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. Although it’s small, the prostate has big responsibilities.
The primary functions include:
- Producing seminal fluid: The prostate creates fluid that nourishes and transports sperm during ejaculation.
- Supporting urinary flow: Because the urethra passes through the prostate, its health impacts your ability to urinate comfortably.
- Helping control urine: Alongside your bladder muscles, the prostate contributes to controlling urine flow.
As you age, changes in the prostate are common. This is where terms like enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) start to matter.
What Happens When the Prostate Enlarges
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition, especially as men get older. BPH refers to the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, and it can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). When the prostate enlarges, it can press against the urethra and restrict urine flow.
You might notice:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- A weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Bladder spasms or a sensation that your bladder isn’t empty
In more advanced cases, an enlarged prostate can lead to acute urinary retention, where you’re suddenly unable to urinate. A foley catheter might be used temporarily to relieve this issue.
While BPH is not prostate cancer, it shares some symptoms. That’s why keeping up with your follow-up appointments and screenings becomes essential as you age.
Prostate Cancer and Prostate Health
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the prostate gland. It’s one of the most common cancers in men, but early detection often leads to favorable outcomes. If you have a family history or you’re at higher risk based on age or medical history, regular screenings can make a difference.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can resemble those of BPH:
- Urinary frequency
- Weak urine flow
- Blood in urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, your treatment options will depend on several factors, including how aggressive the cancer is and your overall health. Treatments range from surgery, such as open prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), to less invasive options.
Exploring Treatment Options for Prostate Conditions
When you’re weighing treatment choices, it’s good to know that not every condition requires surgery. Options now include both surgical treatments and minimally invasive procedures.
Here’s a look at several approaches:
- Medications: Alpha-blockers and other medications can relax the prostate and bladder muscles, improving urine flow.
- Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE): Also called prostate artery embolization, this outpatient procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist. During the PAE procedure, tiny particles are injected to block the prostatic artery blood supply, causing the prostate to shrink over time. PAE for prostate is a minimally invasive treatment with a lower risk of sexual side effects like retrograde ejaculation or urinary incontinence compared to traditional surgery.
- Transurethral Resection (TURP): A well-established procedure where excess prostate tissue is removed to improve urine flow.
- Open Prostatectomy: A more invasive surgical treatment, often recommended when the prostate is severely enlarged.
- New procedures and trials: Ongoing research, including randomized comparisons, continues to explore ways to treat BPH and prostate cancer with less disruption to your daily life.
Many patients prefer outpatient procedures like PAE for enlarged prostate because they offer shorter recovery time, use local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia, and avoid large incisions. Plus, with PAE, you typically see preliminary results within weeks, and you’ll work with a multidisciplinary team to monitor progress.
Risks Involved and What to Watch For
No matter which path you choose, it’s important to understand the risks involved. Every procedure, even minimally invasive ones, carries potential complications:
- Infection at the puncture site
- Blood clots in the treated vessels
- Changes in urinary function
- Temporary bladder irritation
Your doctor will discuss these risks with you, considering your full medical history. If you’re considering treatments like PAE, it’s helpful to talk about the blood flow dynamics to the prostate and how cutting off the blood supply impacts prostate size over time.
Life After Prostate Treatment
Recovery varies depending on the treatment option selected. For procedures like PAE, recovery time is generally shorter. You might experience:
- Mild pelvic discomfort
- Changes in urinary symptoms as the prostate shrinks
- Some irritation of the bladder
Your care team will schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your healing and make sure your urine flow improves as expected. Staying connected with your medical team throughout this process is key to maintaining urinary function and managing any new or lingering symptoms.
Taking Proactive Steps for Your Prostate Health
The prostate gland might not get much attention until symptoms arise, but staying proactive can make a meaningful difference. Regular checkups, honest conversations with your doctor, and keeping track of any urinary changes are smart steps at any age.
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent prostate problems, being aware of your age, medical history, and family background helps you make more informed decisions about screenings and treatment options. Whether you’re considering medications, a minimally invasive procedure like PAE, or surgical treatments, you have choices—and you’re not alone in making them.
Find Relief from Prostate Symptoms with PAE in Miami
If urinary frequency, weak flow, or other uncomfortable symptoms are starting to affect your daily life, it may be time to explore treatment options. PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the enlarged prostate, helping to restore urine flow and ease lower urinary tract symptoms without traditional surgery.
At Prostate Specialists of Miami, Dr. Adam S. Gropper offers personalized evaluations to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort. As a board-certified Diagnostic & Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Gropper focuses on safe, effective treatments for BPH—so you can move forward with confidence.
Your online search for “PAE near me” brought you to this blog. If you’re ready to discuss whether PAE could be right for you, take the next step and call (786) 500-5347 to schedule your consultation. If more convenient, you can complete our confidential online form. Relief from urinary symptoms may be closer than you think.
While you wait for your consultation, we invite you to download our FREE guide, “5 Reasons to Choose Prostate Artery Embolization,” and discover why PAE could be the best choice for you.
We also offer a FREE Webinar: Mastering Prostate Health: The PAE Breakthrough for Men. Check it out here to reserve your spot.
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Prostate Specialists of Miami
15400 Biscayne Boulevard #104
Aventura, FL 33160
(786) 500-5347
http://prostatespecialistmiami.com/
