If you are like over half of all men over the age of 60 who is experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms of an enlarged prostate, Penn Highlands offers several of the latest treatments for enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We offer the revolutionary UroLift implant and BPH surgery.
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Relieve the Symptoms of BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — often called enlarged prostate — is a health issue that becomes more common with age. In fact, 8 out of 10 men will experience it by the time they reach their 70s. Problems with peeing are the most common and the most uncomfortable symptom of BPH. But BPH also can cause serious health conditions, including bladder stones, bladder and kidney damage, and the inability to urinate. It’s important to get a diagnosis and treatment for your enlarged prostate and Penn Highlands is here to help.
Understanding BPH
BPH, or an enlarged prostate, is a common occurrence as men grow older. The prostate is a gland located beneath the bladder in men. The urethra, which carries urine from the bladder out of the penis, passes through the prostate.
The prostate normally keeps growing throughout a man’s life. As men get past the age of 60, this growth can enlarge the prostate enough to start putting pressure or blocking the urethra. Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include:
- Frequent or urgent need to pee
- Peeing more often at night
- Trouble starting to pee
- Weak urine stream or one that starts and stops
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Not being able to fully empty the bladder
The causes of BPH are unknown. However, doctors do know that certain factors are associated with a higher likelihood you will develop an enlarged prostate. These include:
- Age
- Family History
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Obesity
- Lack of Exercise
If BPH is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems. As the prostate grows, it can completely block the urethra and prevent urination. In these cases, you might need a catheter placed into your bladder to drain urine. You also may need surgery to reduce the size or remove the prostate.
Untreated BPH also can cause recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder damage and kidney damage.
Urology
Penn Highlands Urology - DuBoisA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Urology
Penn Highlands Urology - ClearfieldA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Penn Highlands Urology - DuBoisA Service of Penn Highlands DuBois
Treating BPH: TURP vs. UroLift
If you have been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, your urologist will most likely begin treatment with medications if your symptoms are mild or moderate. If medications don’t work to relieve your symptoms or your symptoms are severe to begin with, your urologist may recommend treating your BPH with a type of surgery called Bipolar TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) or an implanted device called the UroLift.
Both procedures are performed in a minimally invasive manner by reaching the prostate through the penis. Generally there is no pain with either procedure and there are benefits and drawbacks to each.
What Is the UroLift® System?
UroLift is a procedure that uses tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue so that it no longer blocks the urethra. It does not require any removal of the prostate tissue.
A urologist implants the UroLift System during an outpatient procedure that requires only local anesthesia. Performed through the urethra, a urologist uses the UroLift System to push aside the obstructive prostate lobes and positions small, tailored permanent UroLift implants to hold the prostate lobes in the retracted position. This opens the urethra while leaving the prostate intact.
You are able to go home the same day and will begin to experience improved symptoms within a few days. UroLift has a low rate of side effects.
The main benefit of the UroLift over TURP surgery is that it does not cause retrograde ejaculation, which is when semen goes back into the bladder during orgasm (also know as dry orgasm). For this reason, UroLift is the only surgical option for men who still want to father children naturally.
The main drawbacks of the UroLift are that it is not as effective. UroLift improves urinary flow by about 30%, resulting in less frequent urination, compared to about 90% improvement with TURP. This is another reason it is generally better for younger men whose symptoms are mild.
Bipolar TURP Surgery
The most common BPH surgery is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). At Penn Highlands, urology surgeons perform the latest type of TURP, called bipolar TURP, which allows more men with extreme prostate enlargement to have this surgery instead of having to have their prostates removed.
Like UroLift, TURP is performed through a scope inserted through the penis. Although there are no incisions involved and the procedure itself only takes about an hour, it requires general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay.
The urology surgeon uses a resectoscope during the TURP procedure. This scope has a lighted camera, valves to irrigate the area with saline (used during bipolar TURP) and an electrical wire loop that cuts tissue and seals blood vessels. The surgeon uses the loop to shave off tiny layers of prostate tissue to relieve the blockage of the urethra. The tissues is flushed out at the end of the procedure.
Like UroLift, there are no incisions and men generally feel very little pain after the procedure. The main benefit of TURP is that it is highly effective, improving urinary flow by greater than 90%. The treatment also has been shown in clinical studies to be effective for 7-10 years.
The main disadvantage of TURP is that it will cause retrograde ejaculation, or dry orgasm. It also will take about 3 months for the bladder to adjust to urinating without obstruction, which means you will have less time to reach the bathroom after feeling the urge to pee. This will resolve as the bladder adjusts.
