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Enlarged Prostate

When Prostate Surgery Fails

When it comes to surgical procedures of any kind, there is always a risk that things won’t work out. When surgery fails or leads to side effects and complications that are permanent, the reality can be devastating.

Therefore, when it comes to deciding which treatment method is best for treating your benign prostate hyperplasia, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects and risks that come with each method.

One of the most common procedures to treat a symptomatic enlarged prostate is the transurethral resection of the prostate, also known as TURP.

TURP is a procedure that involves removing prostate tissues through the urethra, in order to allow urine and other bodily fluids to pass more easily.

Though the most common side effects, like experiencing some post-op blood in your urine, will pass with time. Other side effects and undesirable outcomes might not.

Not every prostate procedure is guaranteed to cure the issue it is aiming to treat. And, TURP is no exception to this.

First of all, sometimes the TURP surgery will not relieve all of your symptoms, such as urinary symptoms that might not change or be entirely cured.

You might be wondering- How is that possible, given that during the surgery the blockage was cleared?

The urinary issues may be continuing due to urethral strictures.

Urethral strictures are caused by scarring that can occur after TURP, both in and around the urinary tract. This scarring can actually cause further blockage to urine flow. And as a result, another surgery may be required.

Some patients also experience urinary incontinence following the TURP procedure. This can happen due to continuing bladder problems or even sphincter muscle damage.

Another concern for men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate in order to treat benign prostate hyperplasia is the risk of having erectile issues following the procedure.

Erectile dysfunction is a potential risk that comes with just about any prostate surgery, and can usually be treated with medication. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these medications also come with their own set of side effects and risks.

Fortunately, there are other treatment methods for an enlarged prostate that have a much lower risk of experiencing these unwanted outcomes, especially in regard to sexual function.

In fact, Prostate Artery Embolization has been shown to actually improve erectile function following the procedure. And it comes without the risk of retrograde ejaculation, which is the most common long-term complication following the TURP procedure, affecting as many as 65 to 75% of men.

In our next article, we will take a look at this unfortunate potential complication from TURP.

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Enlarged Prostate

The Connection Between Prostate Health and Sexual Pleasure

It’s safe to say that every type of surgery comes with its own set of possible side effects and risks. However, when it comes to prostate surgery, any error or adverse reaction could have dire consequences when it comes to fertility and sexual health.

Though the primary function of the prostate is that it produces some of the seminal fluid that transports sperm, that is not all it does.

The prostate contains nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that not only help push semen through the urethra during ejaculation but are also a critical part of getting and maintaining an erection.

The nerves and blood vessels that run along each side of the prostate are called the neurovascular bundle. The neurovascular bundle also plays an important role in controlling urine flow, and as a result, it can help protect against urinary tract infections.

Of course, the prostate is of significant importance in order to have a healthy functioning reproductive system, bladder, urinary tract, and so forth. But it’s also a very important part of a healthy and enjoyable sex life.

Given the many nerve endings in the prostate, the prostate is a rather sensitive area- a sensitivity that greatly lends itself to increased sexual satisfaction.

Due to its sensitivity, this area of the male body can be a sexual pleasure center, commonly referred to as the “G-spot.”

The G-spot, the sensitivity of the prostate, and its role in sexual pleasure have, in recent years, led to the sale of sexual aids such as prostate massagers. Sales of which, have been on the rise.

According to data from the pleasure product company HealthyAndActive, prostate massager sales have increased by 56% over the past five years, particularly among straight men over the age of 45.

However, when it comes to treating benign prostate hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate, some of the treatment methods available come with an increased risk of damaging this sensitive area of the male sex organs.

This potential nerve damage can greatly reduce the sensitivity of the prostate, as well as deter it from functioning properly.

Therefore, in order to protect the functionality of the prostate, it’s important to consider all of the treatment methods available for BPH, as some procedures come with higher risks of adverse effects than others.

In our next article, we will look at the possible adverse effects associated with one of the most common prostate surgeries transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and compare them to the risks of a non-invasive procedure like prostate artery embolization.

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Enlarged Prostate

Development of Surgical Tools

Long before the development of the technology that led to the creation of non-invasive procedures to treat benign prostate hyperplasia, the major medical advancements were the creation of new surgical tools. And, a real game changer was the creation of the resectoscope.

The resectoscope was introduced in the late 1920s by Maximilian Stern. Stern was able to utilize the direct vision made available by inserting the tool, which had a tungsten wire loop on one end into the cystoscope. He then used an electrical cutting current in order to use the loop to successfully cut away excess prostate tissue.

As with all great inventions, the resectoscope left room for further innovation, such as a modified version by Theodore Davis, which had a larger viewing area and a wider loop, as well as a foot pedal attached to it that allowed him to switch between currents that cut and currents that cauterized.

Further improvements included that of Joseph McCarthy who combined Davis’s improved resectoscope with the phonendoscope- which had an even better viewing system.

By combining these two advancements, McCarthey created what would become known as the Stern-McCarthy resectoscope.

Though it arguably should have been called the Stern-Davis-McCarthy resectoscope, the Stern-McCarthy resectoscope is credited with being the first practical cutting-loop resectoscope, and as a result, transurethral prostatectomy emerged as the dominant method used to treat enlarged prostate for the next 70 years

This method, also known as TURP (Transurethral resection of the prostate ), which is still done today- would not have been possible without all of this innovation.

In fact, it wouldn’t have been possible without many inventions that preceded it. Such as Dr. Young’s cystoscope, as well as the first practical incandescent light bulb, the fenestrated tube, and the application of high-frequency electrical current underwater.

These inventions and surgical procedures led the way to more advanced methods which use fiber optics, video cameras, laser energy, and others.

Though TURP is still used as a treatment procedure for an enlarged prostate, more and more, it is being replaced by newer medical therapies and less invasive procedures such as genicular artery embolization.

In our next article, we will begin to look at the most common present-day surgical and non-invasive surgical procedures to treat an enlarged prostate.

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Enlarged Prostate

Improving Prostate Treatment with Innovation

One of the turning points in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia was the invention of the irrigating cystoscope, and the many improvements made to it by Dr. Hampton Young, of Johns Hopkins University Hospital.

Following the development of the irrigated cystoscope and other critical tools, physicians continued to experiment with all sorts of other methods for treating an enlarged prostate. This included high-frequency currents to treat bladder tumors.

In roughly 1926, a physician by the name of Maximilian Stern introduced another innovative instrument to be used in prostatic procedures called the resectoscope.

A resectoscope is a tool that is inserted through the cystoscope sheath and has a tungsten wire loop on one end. Under direct vision by way of the cystoscope, Dr. Stern was able to cut slivers of prostate tissue with the loop, through which flowed an electrical cutting current.

Unlike cautery heat, these high-frequency currents did not penetrate and damage the surrounding tissue nearly as much. As a result, patients reported having fewer side effects and a lower risk of complications such as hemorrhage.

Though the electric current cut well, some physicians took issue with it not coagulating deep enough. Thus making it, in some cases, just as effective as using a knife.

This led to the invention of a modified resectoscope by a South Carolina urologist, with a background in electrical engineering, named Theodore Davis.

Not only did Davis use a larger instrument with a larger viewing window and a wider loop, but he also is credited with incorporating a current that cuts and coagulates. Davis even went so far as to invent a foot pedal, which allowed him to switch between the two during surgery.

Around the same time that Davis was improving the resectoscope, another doctor by the name of Joseph McCarthy was busy making further improvements.

Dr. McCarthy was able to successfully combine the improved resectoscope with the phonendoscope, which had a greatly improved viewing system.

By combining these two advancements, McCarthey created what would become known as the Stern-McCarthy resectoscope.

In our next article, we will take a look at the Stern-McCarthy resectoscope and its use in the treatment of an enlarged prostate, and also begin to look at the dominant treatment methods that emerged, some of which are still performed today.

 

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Enlarged Prostate

Inventions to Treat BPH

It is estimated that at some point in their lives, 8 out of 10 men will experience the uncomfortable symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. However, this occurrence isn’t anything new.

Doctors have been working to find cures and develop treatments for this very common condition for centuries.

In fact, in our last few articles, we took a deeper look at the origin of the diagnosis of an enlarged prostate, and when it was first documented. And, we looked at some of the many attempts to treat or even cure the condition- Some of which actually made things worse.

Fortunately, as time went on, and medical advancements continued to be made, medical experts and physicians were able to find newer and better ways to treat men with this prostate condition.

A real turning point in the development of treatment procedures for an enlarged prostate, occurred in 1904 when Dr. Hampton Young perfected the surgical procedure known as a “radical perineal prostatectomy”.

By perfecting the perineal approach and developing specialized instruments for the procedure, Dr. Young was able to lower the mortality rate for those undergoing prostate surgery.

While open surgeries for treating an enlarged prostate continued to develop, another method was emerging called the transurethral method.

The transurethral method is a treatment based on the idea of increasing the lumen of the prostatic urethra by destroying or damaging the prostatic tissue so that it would contract.

Several instruments for transurethral removal of bladder neck obstruction by ‘valves’, were created, however, the procedure was done blindly, and though effective at times, it also came with the high risk of hemorrhage, and many patients were left with urinary incontinence.

Fortunately, physicians continued to develop better and better techniques for transurethral procedures, including using a wire loop cautery. As well as treatments that included a thermogalvanic destruction, which is when cautery is introduced through the urethra, requiring a cautery plate and a cautery knife.

However, one of the biggest issues with these methods was that,  just like with the previous procedures, all of them were done blindly. That is until various new instruments were invented and came into use, such as the irrigating cystoscope, which allowed for visual control during these procedures.

The irrigating cystoscope was a real game changer, even more so, as Dr. Young worked to modify it, making it better and bed.

Young is credited with adding illumination to the external end of the tube, by way of a small electric bulb. And then, just a few years later, Young replaced the cutting tube with an electrically heated cautery tube and made the outer tube double-walled so that water could circulate to cool it. Young’s basic design was the forerunner of a great variety of subsequent operations.

In our last article of this series on the history of diagnosing and treating an enlarged prostate, we will take a look at some of the procedures that emerged after Dr. Young’s irrigating cystoscope, and begin to explore the modifications and improvements that have been made to these techniques.

 

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Enlarged Prostate

Early Treatment Methods

By the late 1800s, physicians had found a link between prostate size and a man’s age, as well as between prostate growth and testosterone.

This discovery set the foundation for developing various treatment methods in order to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.

Though it wasn’t until centuries later that the more effective treatments that we use today, such as transurethral resection of the prostate, medications, and prostate artery embolization, became available- These procedures owe a debt of gratitude to the many physicians that came before, who opened the path to finding the best treatment for what would later be known as benign prostate hyperplasia.

Unfortunately part of this journey involved making mistakes along the way.

One notable example is a procedure performed by some physicians in the 1800s who thought that the condition of an enlarged prostate could be cured by removing the testicles. Yikes.

Fortunately, this method fell out of practice shortly thereafter. And, fortunately, many other physicians did not use this technique, and instead, continued to study the enlarged prostate and the impact that it can have on a man’s health. All in an attempt to find the most effective and efficient way to treat the condition.

One of the turning points in the development of prostate procedures to treat an enlarged prostate, took place in 1891.

A physician in Arizona had found a way to treat the prostate condition by removing prostate tissue through an incision made in the perineum—the area between the scrotum and rectum. This would later be called a perineal prostatectomy.

Following this breakthrough procedure, all sorts of other prostate surgeries began to pop up.

Eugene Fuller, a New York City Physician, developed the  “suprapubic procedure.”

The suprapubic procedure is the surgical removal of the prostate through an incision made in the lower abdomen and bladder.

The suprapubic procedure showed promising results and opened the door for another physician, Hampton Young to get even better results by using the same perineal incision to remove the prostatic mass.

Dr. Young, a urologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital also discovered that if he pushed the gland upward from the rectum, it could ease and complete the excision, making the removal more complete.

Hampton Young went on to become known as the “Father of American Urology,” and continued to refine and perfect his technique for treating an enlarged prostate.

In our next article, we will continue looking at the history of treating benign prostate hyperplasia, by diving deeper into the impact that Dr. Hampton Young had on the treatment of it, as well as take a look at the advancements made by the many physicians that followed.

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Enlarged Prostate

BPH Medications and Sexual Dysfunction: Something to Consider

Some treatment methods for an enlarged prostate can increase problems with sexual dysfunction, and in some cases, even cause them.

Though prescription drugs are often very good at improving the symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia- such as urinary issues, they can come with their own set of problems. Because of this, some men may resort to surgery, however, that too comes with its risks regarding sexual function.

Some surgical procedures for men with an enlarged prostate can increase the risk of inadvertently damaging structures around the penis which can lead to erectile dysfunction and other problems.

But before we get to that, let’s take a look at some of the common BPH medications and the effect they can have on sexual health.

We’ll start with the commonly prescribed 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors and the impact these medications that are used to shrink the prostate and reduce BPH symptoms can have on sexual health.

5-Alpha reductase inhibitors show promising results in their ability to shrink the prostate and reduce benign prostate hyperplasia symptoms.

These medications work by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme from converting some of the body’s testosterone into dihydrotestosterone- which can cause further prostate growth. Unfortunately, one of the most common side effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors is sexual problems.

Several clinical trials have looked at the problem of side effects caused by the 5-alpha inhibitor finasteride, also known by the brand name Proscar.

These studies found that sexual adverse effects occur at the rates of 2.1% to 3.8%, erectile dysfunction (ED) being the most common, followed by ejaculatory dysfunction and loss of libido.

Another common 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, dutasteride (Avodart), has neem known to cause a multitude of adverse effects concerning sexual function. 3.4 to 15.8% of men treated with dutasteride experience erection problems, loss of libido, and reduced semen volume.

Most of these sexual issues caused by 5-alpha inhibitors are believed to be due to their effect on decreasing levels of dihydrotestosterone which is a natural sex hormone and is essential for normal sexual function.

Another type of medication that is commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate is alpha-blockers.

Alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin ( Flomax) doxazosin (Cardura), and terazosin (Hytrin) work by relaxing the bladder neck, and prostate muscles. Unfortunately, they can also cause erectile issues such as decreased ejaculation. Men who take these medications may also experience lower sperm count, decreased sperm volume, and lower sperm movement.

According to a 2008, Cochrane systematic review that looked at the sexual side effects of Flomax for BPH, 63% of users reported some form of side effect from the medication. The side effects of tamsulosin that were reported the most included erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, and something called retrograde ejaculation or a dry orgasm- where the semen exits into the bladder rather than out of the penis.

Combination medication therapies, such as dutasteride and tamsulosin ( brand name Jalyn), can also cause sexual problems.

Clinical trials found that the most common adverse reactions reported were impotence, decreased libido, breast disorders (including breast enlargement and tenderness), ejaculation disorders, and dizziness.

In fact, studies have found that ejaculation disorders occurred significantly more in subjects receiving coadministration therapy (11%) compared with those receiving dutasteride (2%) or tamsulosin (4%) as monotherapy.

The Bottom Line:  Issues with sexual dysfunction that are caused by certain BPH treatment medications should be taken into consideration.

These issues can be very upsetting and have a detrimental effect on a man’s private life and relationships. Therefore it’s important to discuss any risk of sexual problems that can come alongside your preferred treatment method for BPH.

There are many options out there for treating an enlarged prostate, so it’s important to be open and honest about your concerns and work with your doctor to find the best treatment option with the lowest risks of sexual side effects, such as Prostate Artery Embolization.

To learn more about this state-of-the-art procedure, please call and set up a consultation today.

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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.

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. 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

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.