Enlarged Prostate (BPH): What You Can Do

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when seeking treatment for their enlarged prostate gland (BPH) symptoms. Though prostate growth is common for men to experience as they age, everyone reacts differently with their diagnosis.

At Florida Urology, we approach the treatment of BPH with a focus on these individual needs. Symptoms impact daily life and your plan must reflect your goals. Today, there are more treatment options available than ever before, especially with the renowned expertise provided by Florida Urology.

Watch and Wait

For some, this diagnosis may come as a surprise because their symptoms are so mild they seem nonexistent. Regardless, it is still important to keep a watchful eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

Part of being mindful should also include seeing your doctor for a check-up at least once a year – or sooner if you notice any significant changes.

These urinary symptoms include:

∙ Frequent urination

∙ The sensation that your bladder is full, even after you have just gone

∙ An urgent need to go out of the blue

∙ A poor flow of urine (weak stream) or dribbling at the end

∙ Trouble starting

∙ Having to stop and start peeing several times

∙ Urine leakage

Some opt for the "wait and see" method if they have mild/moderate symptoms. They may want to avoid any side effects of surgery or medical treatments, or if they would rather have a chance to improve without treatment.

Medications and Supplements

There are three classes of medications that are commonly recommended for an enlarged prostate if there are more severe symptoms:

∙ Alpha-blockers - These relax muscles of the prostate and neck of the bladder to relieve symptoms (Flomax, Hytrin, Uroxatral, etc.).

∙ 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) - These help shrink the prostate and prevent additional growth (e.g., Avodart, Proscar, etc.).

∙ Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) - These have been shown to improve prostate symptoms by increasing flow rate (e.g., Viagra, Cialis, Stendra, etc.).

Supplements have a mixed track record of treating BPH and urinary symptoms. They are not as closely regulated and monitored as prescribed medicines are – meaning that their safety, quality, and effects can vary significantly.

Common supplements include:

∙ Saw palmetto

∙ Beta-sitosterol

∙ Pygeum

∙ Ryegrass

 Be sure to talk with your urologist before adding any medications, supplements, or other non-prescribed treatments.

Surgical Options

Surgical treatment for BPH works to relieve the resulting pressure on the urethra. One of the most common and well-known surgical solutions is the Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP). This procedure has been around since the early 20th century and involves scraping prostate tissue to reduce pressure. As with any invasive therapies, there are significant risks for complications. These include excessive blood loss, prolonged recovery, and infection. In addition, there is the potential that this surgery may result in a loss of full sexual function.

A surgical procedure should be considered if a patient reaches a point in their BPH journey in which:

∙ Kidney damage is taking over daily life

∙ Urinary tract symptoms and infections (UTIs) or bladder stones are common and frequent

∙ Urinary retention issues are prevalent

UroLift® – Fast BPH Symptom Relief

UroLift® is a minimally invasive solution that is done from the comfort of the physician’s office. Unlike invasive procedures, there is no cutting, heating, scraping, or removing of prostate tissue. You avoid the hospital, see immediate results, and do not face the risk of having your sexual function compromised (e.g., erectile dysfunction). This safe and effective treatment is done under local anesthesia so you can get back to living as quickly as possible.

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This system has a proven record of helping men avoid BPH medications and surgical procedures while maintaining sexual function. Years of clinical data demonstrate that patients achieve long-lasting BPH symptom relief with minimal side effects.

I’m ready to talk about my BPH

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