Most men over the age of 50 have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a urinary condition that can significantly affect quality of life. The prostate, which is located below the bladder, grows as we age. It eventually puts pressure on the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, the urethra.
The good news is that BPH is not linked to prostate cancer. The bad news is that the prostate will continue to grow and block the flow of urine, causing uncomfortable symptoms like:
- Frequent need to urinate
- Waking in the night to urinate
- Weak or slow urine stream
- Feeling like the bladder isn’t empty
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Starting and stopping during urination
- Feeling a need to push when urinating
- Dribbling
- Burning or pain
The symptoms of BPH contribute to sleep problems, depression, sexual dysfunction, and loss of productivity. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available ranging from medications to surgery. You and your doctor will decide the best treatment together. For many men, the best treatment is the UroLift System treatment.
What is UroLift?
UroLift is a minimally invasive procedure that lifts or pulls the prostate away from the urethra, opening the blockage and allowing urine to flow again. Tiny implants keep the prostate away from the urethra. Your doctor can usually place the UroLift implants in less than an hour in the office using local anesthesia. Most men leave the office without a catheter and have significant improvement of their symptoms within two weeks.
4 reasons UroLift might be right for you
How do you know if UroLift might be the right solution for you? Here are four reasons why:
Preserves sexual function
A common fear with BPH treatment is loss of sexual function. While most traditional treatments like TURP, medication, laser and heat-based therapies carry a risk of sexual dysfunction, UroLift does not. UroLift preserves your sexual function.
Avoids the risks of surgery
UroLift is a one-time procedure that can be done in your doctor’s office. It is fast and effective with few side effects. The risks are very minimal compared to the risk of infection, bleeding, incontinence, and sexual side effects with surgery. And unlike more invasive procedures, recovery from UroLift is counted in days, not weeks.
Eliminates need for meds
Pharmaceutical treatment of BPH often means taking two types of meds. One to relax muscles in the area to make urination easier, and another to block the hormones responsible for swelling. Medications may cause dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and sexual side effects, and must be taken for life. And they don’t always provide enough relief from symptoms. Even on medications, the prostate may continue to grow making further treatment a likelihood.
UroLift makes medications unnecessary and medication side effects a thing of the past.
Increases quality of life
Overall, UroLift can significantly increase your quality of life within two weeks of undergoing the procedure. With relief from the symptoms of BPH, you can sleep again, get your life back on schedule, and no longer need to plan your day around the availability of restrooms. There is also no ongoing maintenance with UroLift. It’s a one-and-done procedure.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the UroLift System treatment, schedule an appointment to talk with one of our UroLift doctors.