Getting up several times a night to urinate, struggling to start your stream, or feeling like your bladder never fully empties can be frustrating and exhausting. If you’ve been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), you may be asking yourself, “What is the best treatment for enlarged prostate?”
The answer isn’t the same for everyone. Some men find relief with medication. Others do better with a minimally invasive procedure or surgery. The right treatment depends on the size of your prostate, how severe your symptoms are, and whether other treatments have helped.
What Is an Enlarged Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder. As men age, the prostate often grows larger. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.
An enlarged prostate isn’t cancer, but it can press against the urethra and make it harder for urine to leave the bladder.
Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Waking up several times at night to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination
- A weak urine stream
- Stopping and starting while urinating
- Feeling like the bladder doesn’t empty completely
- Dribbling after urination
What Is the Best Treatment for Enlarged Prostate?
There isn’t a single treatment that’s right for every man. The best treatment for enlarged prostate depends on your symptoms, prostate size, overall health, and personal preferences.
If you have mild symptoms, treatment may not be needed right away. Your urologist may recommend monitoring your condition and making simple lifestyle changes. Limiting fluids before bedtime, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and avoiding medications that worsen urinary symptoms may help.
Medication is often the first treatment for men with moderate symptoms. Alpha blockers relax muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, helping urine flow more easily. Other medications can gradually shrink the prostate over time.
If medication doesn’t provide enough relief or causes bothersome side effects, a procedure may be a better option.
How Do Urologists Decide Which Enlarged Prostate Treatment Is Best?
Choosing between medications and procedures can feel overwhelming. The truth is that the right choice varies from person to person.
Before recommending a treatment, your urologist will consider several factors, including:
- The size of your prostate
- How severe your symptoms are
- Whether medications have provided enough relief
- Your age and overall health
- Whether preserving ejaculation is important to you
- Whether you’d prefer to avoid long-term medication use
- Your other health conditions
Your urologist can use this information to recommend a treatment that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Minimally Invasive Treatments for Enlarged Prostates
Many men want symptom relief without major surgery. Several minimally invasive procedures can improve urine flow and reduce pressure on the urethra.
UroLift®
UroLift uses small implants to lift enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra. No prostate tissue is removed, and many men return to normal activities within a few days.
Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy
Rezūm uses water vapor to destroy excess prostate tissue. Over time, the body absorbs the treated tissue, helping improve urine flow and reduce symptoms.
GreenLight Laser Therapy
GreenLight Laser Therapy uses laser energy to remove overgrown prostate tissue with precision. It may be an option for men looking for symptom relief with less downtime than some traditional surgeries.
Aquablation Therapy
Aquablation combines real-time imaging with a high-powered waterjet to remove excess prostate tissue. It can be an effective treatment for men with larger prostates.
Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE)
PAE is performed by an interventional radiologist. The procedure reduces blood flow to the prostate, causing it to shrink over time.
Surgical Treatments for Enlarged Prostates
Some procedures have been used successfully for many years and may still be recommended depending on your condition.
Transurethral Incision Of The Prostate
This procedure creates small cuts in the prostate to reduce pressure on the urethra and make urination easier.
Transurethral Resection Of The Prostate (TURP)
TURP removes obstructing tissue through a cystoscope inserted into the urethra. It remains one of the most established surgical treatments for BPH and is often used to compare the results of other procedures.
Prostatectomy
A prostatectomy is an open procedure used to remove obstructing prostate tissue. It’s usually reserved for men with very large prostates.
What Is the Best Treatment for Enlarged Prostate? Get Answers in Charlotte and Columbia
You don’t have to keep living with frequent urination, a weak urine stream, or trouble emptying your bladder.
If enlarged prostate symptoms are affecting your sleep, daily routine, or quality of life, schedule an appointment with Carolina Urology Partners. We’ll review your symptoms, explain your options, and answer the question, “What is the best treatment for enlarged prostate?” based on your symptoms, prostate size, and overall health.
Call our office today or request an appointment online to meet with a urologist in Charlotte, NC, or Columbia, SC, and start feeling more comfortable and confident again.
