Prostate Artery Exmbolization
Treatment for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
Is PAE right for you?
Prostate artery embolization is recommended for patients who:
- Have an enlarged prostate (greater than 50 grams)
- Have not achieved symptom relief from BPH medication
- Prefer to avoid surgical intervention PAE is a less invasive option to treat BPH.
If you have been diagnosed with BPH or enlarged prostate, call ultrasound to schedule an appointment.
Treatment Options
Lifestyle Changes & Medication
Men with mild symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) may find relief through lifestyle changes and medications. Your doctor might also recommend avoiding certain medications, such as decongestants or specific antihistamines, as they can impact the prostate.
Transurethral Resection (TURP)
Severe symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) may be treated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a surgical procedure performed under anesthesia. However, TURP can often lead to side effects, including infection, sexual dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
A new and minimally invasive procedure, cleared by the FDA in 2018, called Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE), offers an excellent treatment option for men with severe BPH symptoms. This convenient outpatient procedure can alleviate BPH symptoms for most men without the need for surgery.
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Symptoms of BPH
BPH can also be associated with erectile dysfunction and a decreased sex drive. If left untreated, it may result in complications such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder damage, bladder stones, kidney damage or chronic renal failure, and urinary retention (the inability to urinate).
Frequent urination
Urgency to urinate
Difficulty starting urination
Weak urine stream
Intermittent urine flow
Dribbling at the end of urination
What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
An enlarged prostate is a common condition among aging men. Known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), this non-cancerous condition affects approximately half of men between the ages of 51 and 60, and up to 90% of men over 80. In the United States, around 14 million men are affected by BPH.
The prostate gland, situated near the bladder, is typically the size of a walnut. However, in cases of BPH, it can enlarge to the size of a tennis ball. This enlargement can exert pressure on the urethra, the tube responsible for carrying urine out of the body, potentially restricting urine flow or, in severe cases, completely obstructing it.
The PAE Procedure
Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) is a procedure carried out by an interventional radiologist. Using advanced imaging techniques, the radiologist inserts a small catheter into an artery in the patient’s upper thigh or wrist. This catheter is then navigated through the body’s vascular system to reach the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. Tiny beads, known as microspheres, are released through the catheter into these arteries, partially obstructing the blood flow to the prostate. This reduction in blood flow causes the prostate to shrink, alleviating symptoms.
The PAE procedure has many benefits including a quick recovery, low risk of complications, preservation of sexual function, improved quality of life, involves less pain and it’s performed on an outpatient basis, reducing hospital stays.
Reasons To Come To Advanced
Advanced Urology is Georgia's leading provider of high quality, urological care. With 12 clinics and 6 ambulatory surgery centers conveniently located throughout the Atlanta area, Advanced Urology is committed to giving our patients the best experience possible by focusing on innovative treatments, exceptional service, and superior outcomes. Our highly skilled medical professionals work within our state of the art facilities and local hospitals where we are dedicated to making our patients feel comfortable and valued. Our patients are our highest priority, and we pride ourselves in offering exceptional care and service.
