Category: Enlarged Prostate

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Enlarged Prostate

Treating BPH with Prostate Artery Embolization

From minimally invasive to more extensive surgeries, there are several procedures that can treat benign prostate hyperplasia.

From minimally invasive to more extensive surgeries, there are several procedures that can treat benign prostate hyperplasia.

In recent years many men suffering from the uncomfortable and disruptive symptoms of an enlarged prostate, have been finding relief through a non-invasive procedure called Prostate Artery Embolization.

Prostate Artery Embolization is a procedure performed here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional by our Interventional Radiologist.

The procedure begins with a small incision in the wrist or groin, followed by the insertion of a tiny catheter.

Using advanced X-Ray technology, the doctor will then guide the catheter through the blood vessels until it reaches the arteries that are feeding blood to the prostate gland.

Once the catheter has reached the proper location, it releases tiny microscopic beads. These beads then travel to the prostatic arteries, where they create a blockage, which blocks the blood flow that is causing the prostate gland’s enlargement.

Maybe this sounds a little like science fiction, or even too good to be true- but rest assured, it’s not.

Though Prostate Artery Embolization is a relatively new outpatient procedure, it’s nothing to be afraid of.

In fact, PAE has one of the highest rates of success. Not only do over 90% of men treated with PAE experience relief from their symptoms in the first year, but relief can continue on for years after that.

This means relief from BPH symptoms like:

  • Dribbling when you finish
  • A hard time getting started
  • A weak stream or you pee in stops and starts
  • Feeling like you still have to pee even after you just went
  • Having to go too often — eight or more times a day
  • Incontinence (when you don’t have control over when you pee)
  • An urgent need to pee, all of a sudden
  • You wake up several times a night to pee
  • Urinary tract infections, bleeding, bladder damage, and bladder stones

It is estimated that about 8 out of 10 men will eventually experience some or all of the above symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.

Unfortunately, it is also estimated that only around 30% will actually seek medical treatment for BPH. This is highly problematic, especially for men over 40 because although BPH is quite common and usually not life-threatening, if left untreated it can get worse.

Untreated BPH can cause a slew of health problems such as frequent urinary tract infections, bleeding, bladder stones, and potential bladder and/or kidney damage.

The good news is, you can avoid experiencing these more severe issues that can come from untreated BPH by making an appointment with your doctor, or calling us here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.

Together, we can determine the right course of action, which could be taking medicine, PAE, making lifestyle changes, or a combination of these.

Treatment is available, so please call us and set up a consultation today.

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Enlarged Prostate

An Enlarged Prostate: Signs and Symptoms

Getting up several times to urinate throughout the night, could be a symptom of benign prostate hyperplasia.

Getting up several times to urinate throughout the night, could be a symptom of benign prostate hyperplasia. Which is also known as an enlarged prostate.

An enlarged prostate? What does that mean?

Well, before we get into that, let’s take a look at exactly what the prostate is.

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system.

It is responsible for aiding in the production of fluid that carries sperm from the testicles and helps to push semen through the urethra during ejaculation.

The prostate is located below the bladder, in front of the rectum,  and surrounds part of the urethra.

Typically the prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut, however, as a man ages, the prostate can become larger.

Though it is normal for the prostate to grow, sometimes this growth can be problematic and become Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate.

BPH occurs when the prostate grows large enough that it begins to pinch the urethra, causing troubling symptoms such as:

  • a weak flow when you urinate
  • a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
  • difficulty starting to urinate
  • dribbling urine after you finish urinating
  • needing to urinate more often, especially at night
  • a sudden urge to urinate

The prostate’s squeezing of the urethra also causes the bladder to have to work even harder to pass urine. This over time, can cause the bladder muscles to become weak, making it harder for it to be emptied. This can also lead to:

  • Feeling like you still have to pee even after you just went
  • Having to go too often — eight or more times a day
  • Incontinence (when you don’t have control over when you pee)
  • An urgent need to pee, all of a sudden
  • You wake up several times a night to pee
  • Urinary tract infections, bleeding, bladder damage, and bladder stones

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be dealing with the effects of an enlarged prostate and, you are not alone.

The urinary issues related to prostate size are so common, that on average about 8 out of 10 men will eventually experience it.

Though men with an enlarged prostate might not experience every one of the symptoms listed above, and the severity may vary, it’s still important to make an appointment with your doctor to identify or rule out any underlying causes.

If left untreated, urinary problems, especially those caused by an enlarged prostate, could lead to more serious problems such as frequent UTIs, an obstruction of the urinary tract, and serious bladder or kidney damage.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, it’s important to schedule a visit with your doctor.

If treatment is necessary, your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment for you. This could mean taking prescribed medication, or it could mean making some lifestyle changes to help control BPH symptoms.

If the symptoms are particularly bothersome, your doctor may recommend that the prostate be treated directly through surgery or a non-invasive procedure such as Prostatic Artery Embolization– which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Prostate Artery Embolization, or schedule a visit to find out if this treatment could benefit you, please do not hesitate to call us at 301-622-5360 to set up a consultation.

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Enlarged Prostate

BPH Medication: Combination Therapy

Evidence suggests that combining alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, is the most effective medication-based treatment for BPH.

Of all of the medication-based treatments for an enlarged prostate, there is evidence to suggest that combination therapy of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, is the most effective.

Alpha-blockers are medicines that are used to relax muscle tissue thereby helping to relieve pressure and urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or terazosin (Hytrin).

While 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar), are medications that can shrink the prostate.

One study, in particular, found that the combination therapy of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors reduced the risk of urinary retention and the need for prostate surgery by 66% when compared to the impact of the alpha-blocker tamsulosin alone.

Using a combination of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in the treatment of an enlarged prostate has shown promising results, however, it is not without its own set of side effects and risks.

According to a meta-analysis study published in the medical journal Aging Male, entitled “Impact of combination therapy 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) plus alpha-blockers (AB) on erectile dysfunction and decrease of libido in patients with LUTS/BPH: A systematic review with meta-analysis,” the overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction and reduced libido was found to be significantly greater for men treated with the combination therapy of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

In fact, they found that combination therapy not only increased the risk of erectile dysfunction significantly, compared to the prevalence of this side effect during monotherapy with just alpha blockers or 5-alpha inhibitors- but they also found that combination therapy resulted in more reported cases of reduced libido than monotherapy.

Other potential side effects of these medications are:

Dizziness, headache, and fatigue (most common)
Decrease in sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Retrograde ejaculation
Decreased volume of ejaculate
Dry mouth, stuffy nose, and swelling of the ankles
Breast disorders (painful or enlarged breasts)
Low blood pressure

Both alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors have their side effects, as well as their benefits.

The primary benefit of alpha-blockers is that they offer quick relief from BPH symptoms – usually in days to weeks. Whereas with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, a benefit is that they can shrink the prostate and potentially avoid the need for prostate surgery, however, it can take anywhere from three to six months to experience any signs of improvement.

Even though combination therapy shows more promising results in the treatment of BPH, alpha-blockers are still the most commonly prescribed treatment. However, alpha-blockers are only effective in the short term, and symptoms will most likely return once the medication is stopped.

For men that wish to avoid taking medication for an enlarged prostate due to the risks and side effects of these drugs, they may wish to explore the option of a non-invasive surgical procedure that we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional called Prostate Artery Embolization.

In our next article, we will take a look at what the research says about the efficacy of Prostate Artery Embolization and compare it to the efficacy of medication therapy in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia.

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Enlarged Prostate

Medications for an Enlarged Prostate

Selective alpha-blockers and 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors are usually the first choices of medication to treat benign prostate hyperplasia.

Selective alpha-blockers and 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors are usually the first choices of medication to treat benign prostate hyperplasia.

Alpha-Blockers are a type of blood pressure medication, that work by “blocking” the hormone norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) and thereby prevent the muscles in the walls of veins and smaller arteries from constricting. This allows these vessels to remain open and relaxed, and as a result, blood flow is improved and blood pressure is lowered.

Due to their ability to relax the muscles in the prostate and around the bladder, men taking this alpha-blocker may have an easier time urinating.

In fact, according to some studies, it is estimated that around 3 out of 5 men that take alpha-blockers find that their urinary symptoms improve within the first month of treatment.

In clinical studies, alpha-blockers have shown promising results in their ability to improve urinary symptoms related to BPH, and have proven to do so faster than another commonly prescribed medication for BPH, which is 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

5-alpha reductase is what drives both normal and abnormal prostate growth. It is influential in the formation of dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, which is an androgen formed from testosterone.

Administering a 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor, such as finasteride and dutasteride, can inhibit the production of DHT and result in a decrease in prostate volume, as well as improvement in urinary issues.

In clinical studies, alpha-blockers have shown an ability to improve lower urinary tract symptoms related to an enlarged prostate and work faster than the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors at relieving these symptoms. However, alpha-blockers have not provided clinical evidence to support their effect on reducing the long-term risk of acute urinary retention, as well as the risk of needing to have prostate surgery.

Both alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors result in different actions in the body, and the combination of these two types of medications is oftentimes considered synergistic.

According to a study published in Science Direct, which was originally published in The Journal of Urology, researchers found that combination therapy with an alpha-blocker and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor provided a greater improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms compared to using one or the other medication solely.

In another study published in Science Direct,  researchers found that the combination of the alpha-blocker, tamsulosin, and the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor dutasteride, significantly reduced the risk of acute urinary retention, as well as reduced the need for prostate surgery.

This particular study followed 3195 men over a 4 year period and found that combination therapy reduced the risk of urinary retention and the need for prostate surgery by 66% when compared to the impact of the alpha blocker tamsulosin alone, and by 20% compared to dutasteride alone.

Though numerous studies have shown that combination therapy is more effective in treating both the symptoms and the prostate condition itself, combination therapy of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors does come with its increased risks of adverse effects.

In our next article, we will take a look at some of the side effects and risks associated with the combination therapy of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

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Enlarged Prostate

Dutasteride and BPH

The 5-alpha reductase inhibitor dutasteride is a medication that can treat benign prostate hyperplasia symptoms and reduce prostate size.

A medication that can treat benign prostate hyperplasia symptoms and reduce prostate size, is the FDA-approved 5-alpha reductase inhibitor dutasteride.

Dutasteride, also known by its brand name Avodart, works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, by converting some of the body’s testosterone into dihydrotestosterone– which can cause further prostate growth.

The overproduction of dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, also plays a significant role in hair loss, leading to it also being FDA-approved to treat male pattern baldness.

The 5-alpha reductase inhibitor approved to treat male pattern baldness is finasteride, also known by its brand name Propecia or Proscar.

Though 5-alpha reductase inhibitors show promising results in their ability to shrink the prostate and reduce benign prostate hyperplasia symptoms, they are not without their own set of side effects and risks.

Some of the side effects of using dutasteride in the treatment of an enlarged prostate are dizziness, testicular pain, and swelling, as well as:

Decreased sex drive and other sexual problems

Increased risk of depression and anxiety

Increased risk of heart failure

Increased risk of diabetes and other metabolic diseases

Other serious side effects of dutasteride include:

  • Peeling Skin
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Increased breast size
  • Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
  • Increased risk of prostate cancer

Dutasteride does come with its side effects and risks. In fact, this is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Therefore it’s important to speak at length with your healthcare provider regarding all of these possible side effects as well as any drug interactions dutasteride may have.

For men that wish to avoid taking medication for an enlarged prostate due to the risks and side effects of these drugs, they may wish to explore the option of a non-invasive surgical procedure that we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional called Prostate Artery Embolization.

Please call us to learn more and set up a consultation.

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Enlarged Prostate

Finasteride: BPH and Male Pattern Baldness

Though originally used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia,  5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are now widely prescribed to combat hair loss. 

Though originally used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia,  5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are now widely prescribed to combat hair loss.

In fact, in 2020 around 2.4 million prescriptions were written for the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride, in order to treat male pattern baldness.

So what is a 5-alpha reductase?

5-alpha reductase is an enzyme that is present in the liver, skin, and prostate.

The role of this enzyme is to convert some of the testosterone, which is an androgenic steroid that is responsible for the growth seen during puberty, into dihydrotestosterone.

Dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, plays a significant role in male pattern baldness, the growth of facial hair, acne, and prostate growth. When the body is producing excessive DHT, this can lead to benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and hair loss.

The 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride is FDA approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness, whereas the 5- alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride, also known by its brand name Avodart is FDA approved for the treatment of an enlarged prostate.

Both of these medications work by inhibiting the production of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which thereby reduces the production of dihydrotestosterone. However, they each affect different smaller enzymes called type 1 and type 2 isoenzymes.

The isoenzyme type 1 is found mainly in the liver and skin, and in smaller amounts in the prostate. Isoenzyme type 1 is inhibited by the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride. This particular medication, also known by its brand name Propecia, has been found to reduce DHT production by 70% and has resulted in a prostate size decrease of 18%. When taken to treat hair loss, finasteride takes at least 3 months to take effect, and up to sick months to effects the prostate size.

The isoenzyme type 2 is found mainly in the prostate, with small amounts found in the skin and liver. Both the 5-alpha reductase isoenzymes type 1 and type 2 are inhibited by the medication dutasteride. Dutasteride, also known by its brand name Avodart, has been found to reduce dihydrotestosterone production by a whopping 93%, and in clinical trials decreased prostate size by 25.7%.

Though both dutasteride and finasteride are effective in both treating male pattern baldness and decreasing prostate size, finasteride does not stay in the system as long as dutasteride. Thus making dutasteride a better choice for benign prostate hyperplasia.

Finasteride and dutasteride are both taken as daily oral medication. Finasteride is available in 1 mg and 5 mg tablets, with the usual dose for male hair loss being 1 mg once daily, and 5mg daily for an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride is available as a 0.5 mg capsule and the usual dose for treating an enlarged prostate is 0.5 mg once daily.

Though 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are effective at shrinking the prostate and reducing benign prostate hyperplasia symptoms, they are not without their own set of side effects and risks.

In our next article, we will take a look at the side effects and potential risks involved in taking these medications.

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Enlarged Prostate

Phenoxybenzamine: A Permanent Solution?

Other alpha-blockers, cause a return of symptoms once the medication is discontinued, however, the effect of phenoxybenzamine is permanent.

Other alpha-blockers, cause a return of symptoms once the medication is discontinued, however, the effect of phenoxybenzamine is permanent.

Phenoxybenzamine was one of the first alpha-blockers studied for its ability to reduce some symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

As a non-specific alpha-blocker, early studies reported that phenoxybenzamine successfully relaxes the urethra and reduces the frequency of urination in patients with BPH.

Though lower doses of phenoxybenzamine may be used to relieve bladder obstruction before surgery, it is rarely used in the treatment of BPH due to its adverse effects.

Some of the side effects and risks of using phenoxybenzamine are:

– stuffy nose
– mild dizziness or drowsiness
– blurred vision
– trouble having an orgasm
– upset stomach
– tired feeling.
– impotence
– ejaculatory dysfunction
– fainting
– fast heartbeat
– vomiting

Phenoxybenzamine also carries the potential risk for irregular absorption and mutation, which can cause adverse effects and permanent damage.

Another downside to phenoxybenzamine is that, just like the other alpha-blockers, phenoxybenzamine does not reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, but rather treats some of the urinary symptoms. However, there is a class of medications that can shrink the prostate itself. These medications are known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

Medication is not for everyone, and many find that a non-invasive procedure such as Prostate Artery Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional is a better fit.

However, medication is still worth being knowledgeable about, especially if your provider has suggested it as part of your treatment plan. It’s important to know what these medications do, as well as their benefits and their risks.

In our next article, we will continue our look into medications that are used to treat the symptoms of BPH, by focusing on the use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in the treatment of an enlarged prostate.

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Enlarged Prostate

Alpha Blockers Types, Benefits, and Side Effects

Alpha-Blockers can reduce urinary symptoms by relaxing the muscles in specific areas of the urinary tract, such as the bladder and neck. This makes them a useful medication for treating urinary issues caused by an enlarged prostate.

The alpha-blocker that is most commonly used for bph urinary issues is Tamsulosin. Which is also known by its brand name Flomax.

Tamsulosin, as well as the alpha-blockers alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and silodosin (Rapaflo), are known as selective alpha-blockers that focus primarily on relaxing the tissues of the urinary tract. Whereas doxazosin (Cardura), and terazosin (Hytrin), are non-selective alpha-blockers that can affect both the urinary tract and other tissues located elsewhere in the body.

One of the benefits of using alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax) is that they work quickly.

In fact, some patients taking tamsulosin may notice a difference within days of starting the medication. However, for those that are prescribed non-selective alpha-blockers like doxazosin and terazosin, their effectiveness can take time, as these medications have to be started at a very low dose and slowly titrate up so as to avoid causing low blood pressure.

Like all medications, alpha-blockers do come with their share of side effects.

The most common side effect reported is dizziness, however, this usually passes once the body adjusts to the medicine. That being said, it is wise to refrain from driving or using any heavy machinery while first adjusting to alpha-blockers due to this common side effect.

  • Other common side effects may include:
  • feeling dizzy or sick (nausea)
  • having a headache when you stand up
  • tiredness or fatigue
  • reduced libido
  • pounding heartbeat
  • a blocked nose
  • problems getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
  • dry orgasm (where little or no semen is released during orgasm)

Because alpha-blockers lower blood pressure, there is also the risk of experiencing the side effects associated with this, especially if the dosage is too high.

  • Symptoms of low blood pressure from alpha-blockers include:
  • Nausea
  • Dehydration
  • Unusual thirst
  • Poor concentration
  • Blurry vision
  • Shallow breathing
  • Rapid breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Pale skin

Patients taking alpha-blockers to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate also risk experiencing sexual side effects from the medication. Though sometimes alpha-blockers can improve erectile function if the dose is too high and as a result blood pressure is too low, erectile dysfunction can occur.

Alpha-blockers can have dangerous interactions with many other medications. Alpha-blockers should not be taken with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, medications for erectile dysfunction, and more.

It’s also important to note that while alpha-blockers lower blood pressure and have been shown to improve total cholesterol- some research has found that these medications can actually increase the risk of heart failure. So be sure to talk to your doctor about any of these concerns.

When it comes to taking medication to reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate it’s important to make sure the benefits outweigh the potential side effects and risks involved.

Some men find medication to be very beneficial, while for others, a more permanent solution is preferred- such as surgery or a non-invasive procedure such as Prostate Artery Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.

For those men that do choose to take medication, alpha-blockers are not the only option. In our next article, we will take a look at another class of medications used to treat an enlarged prostate, 5–alpha-reductase inhibitors.

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Enlarged Prostate

Treating BPH Symptoms with Alpha-Blockers

Today we will begin our series exploring all of the treatment options available for men with benign prostate hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate.

Here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, we specialize in treating an enlarged prostate through a procedure called Prostate Artery Embolization. Using state-of-the-art technology, this non-invasive outpatient procedure is done by our highly skilled expert radiologist, Dr. Rishi Sood.

Though we highly recommend a consultation to see if PAE would be best for your prostate condition, we also believe that it’s important to be informed as to all of the treatment options available. This way you can have an informed conversation with your doctor, and our team here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, in order to determine which treatment would be best for you.

Today we will begin by looking at medications used to treat an enlarged prostate, starting with the commonly used class of medications called Alpha-Blockers.

Alpha-Blockers are a type of blood pressure medication, that has been found to be useful in treating some of the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. These medications work by “blocking” the hormone norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) and thereby prevent the muscles in the walls of veins and smaller arteries from constricting. In doing so, this allows these vessels to remain open and relaxed, and as a result, blood flow is improved and blood pressure is lowered.

Alpha-blockers can also be an effective medicine to treat some of the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. Due to their ability to relax the muscles in the prostate and around the bladder, men taking this medication may have an easier time urinating.  In fact, according to some studies, it is estimated that around 3 out of 5 men that take alpha-blockers find that their urinary symptoms improve within the first month of treatment.  Even better, for men that are responding well to the medication, alpha-blockers may continue to work for several years thereafter.

Alpha-Blockers typically work best for men experiencing moderate to severe benign prostate hyperplasia, and men who are experiencing the irregular flow of urine. By improving the flow of urine, alpha-blockers can also reduce the risk of bladder infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial prostatitis.

Though alpha-blockers can help increase urine flow and relieve tension in the bladder neck and prostate, they do not cure an enlarged prostate. And, like all medicines, alpha-blockers do come with their side effects and risks.

In our next article, we will take a look at the most commonly prescribed alpha-blockers. And, we’ll look at the side effects and risks associated with alpha-blockers as well.

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Enlarged Prostate

Treatment Options for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia/Enlarged Prostate

Here at MidAtlantic Vascular & Interventional, we specialize in a non-invasive procedure to treat an enlarged prostate, called Prostate Artery Embolization. Though this method is highly effective and definitely worth your consideration, it is important that you are aware of some of the other treatment options available. Knowledge is key, and by understanding your options for treating an enlarged prostate, you can work with your doctor and make an informed decision as to which treatment would be best for your particular situation.

Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at what these options are. We will cover the following:

Medications to Treat Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)/ Enlarged Prostate
     – In many cases, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate can be treated with medication. Though these medications do not cure the condition, oftentimes they are able to slow the progression of prostate growth. Some of the medications used to treat enlarged prostate are:

Alpha-blockers: Such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or terazosin (Hytrin).
– These medicines are used to relax muscle tissue.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar).
– These medications are used to shrink the prostate.

A combination of the Alpha-Blockers and 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors
– Over time, this combination has been found to help control symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, more than either medicine alone.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors: This includes vardenafil (Levitra), sildenafil (Viagra), and tadalifil (Cialis). However, only tadalifil (Cialis) is also FDA approved to help relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
– These medications increase blood flow to the penis, while also relaxing muscle cells in the bladder and prostate. As a result, it can ease urinary symptoms associated with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

Supplements
Though this form of alternative therapy is not necessarily recommended by physicians, it is out there, and some people do find it to be effective. That being said, these forms of treatment aren’t as closely regulated as the FDA-approved medicines, which means their safety, efficacy, and quality can be inconsistent. The most commonly used supplements to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate that we will look at are:

– Saw palmetto
– Beta-sitosterol
– Pygeum
– Rye grass

Surgeries to treat an enlarged prostate:

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
– During this procedure, a urologist will insert a resectoscope into the urethra and will use it to remove excess tissue that is blocking the urine from leaving the bladder.

Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
– This is a similar procedure to Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), however, instead of prostate tissue being removed, the bladder neck and prostate are cut to relax the bladder opening, allowing urine to flow more freely.

Prostatectomy:
– This is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made through the abdomen or is performed laparoscopically and is done to remove the inner portion of the prostate gland.

GreenLight™ laser:
– This treatment vaporizes prostate tissue in order to create a channel in the urethra for free urination.

Plasma button electrovaporization:
– In this procedure, prostate tissue is removed using low-temperature plasma energy.

Non-invasive surgical treatments available to treat an enlarged prostate:

Water vapor therapy (Rezum):
– Water vapor therapy is an office-based procedure where water vapor is directly delivered to the prostate tissue, in order to destroy the excess tissue.

UroLift:
– This is an outpatient procedure whereby implants are used to pin the lateral prostate lobes out of the way in order to reduce obstruction.

Prostate Artery Embolization:
– This non-invasive procedure is one that we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional. Using catheters to deliver microscopic beads that block blood flow to the prostatic artery, and as a result, shrinks prostate tissue and thereby reduces symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

In our next article, we will begin our series on the various treatments for an enlarged prostate, starting with a deeper look at the medications used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia. The first medication we will look at belongs to a group of medicines called Alpha-Blockers.