When it comes to seeking treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each treatment approach, as well as the benefits and risks.
Being aware of the benefits, as well as the potential risks and complications of each treatment or procedure, can be of great help when working with your doctor to determine which is best for you. Taking into account not only the benefits and risks but also looking at how each procedure fits with your individual lifestyle and prostate condition.
Today we will start by looking at the treatment method that for most of the 20th century, roughly from 1909 until the late 1990s, has been the premier treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. That treatment method is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
TURP became famous among the treatment methods for BPH when it became the first successful, minimally invasive surgical procedure of the modern era. And, to this day, it remains a standard therapy for obstructive prostatic hypertrophy and is often the surgical treatment of choice when other methods fail.
However, as more medications and non-invasive non-surgical procedures have become available, such as prostate artery embolization, the need for a surgical intervention like TURP has been reduced substantially.
That being said, TURP continues to be performed due to its effectiveness in treating and relieving the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. But as with all surgeries, it does come with its own set of possible risks and unwanted side effects that should be taken into consideration.
So let’s take a look at what those are.
A successful TURP procedure involves removing prostate tissue through the urethra, thus allowing urine and other bodily fluids to pass through more easily.
TURP is a serious surgery that involved anesthesia and the use of a catheter during and post-operation, as well as a recovery that includes a hospital stay.
The most common side effects experienced by men after the TURP procedures are:
Swelling in the urethra, penis, and lower abdominal area.
This swelling can cause these areas to be tender, red, and swollen for several weeks after the surgery, and can cause problems with urination.
Another common side effect is feeling weak and tired easily. This side effect can last for several weeks as the body recovers from the operation.
Other common side effects of TURP surgeries include but are not limited to:
- bleeding after the operation – this usually reduces over time and should stop after four weeks
- difficulty completely emptying the bladder
- urinary incontinence or leakage
- urinary urgency or the sudden urge to urinate
- discomfort during urination
- small dribbles or clots of blood in the urine, for up to 6 weeks
Another potential side effect of the TURP procedure is something called retrograde ejaculation, which is the result of semen flowing backward into the bladder during ejaculation.
Though retrograde ejaculation isn’t necessarily harmful, it can cause potential complications such as male infertility and can make the male orgasm less pleasurable.
In our next article, we will take a look at some of the rare, but possible risks associated with the TURP procedure, and then we will move on to looking at the benefits and risks of other popular procedures to treat a symptomatic enlarged prostate.
In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about a state-of-the-art non-invasive treatment that could be an option for you, please contact our office today to set up a consultation and learn more about Prostate Artery Embolization.
