Living with an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) can be frustrating and exhausting. You may feel like you are always looking for a bathroom, waking up many times at night, or struggling to start peeing. A weak urine stream, stopping and starting, and never feeling fully empty can slowly take over your day and disrupt your sleep.
If medications stop helping, you may feel stuck or worried about surgery. Many men want relief but do not want a procedure that cuts or removes prostate tissue. The good news is that newer treatments are available. One option is PAE for BPH, a minimally invasive procedure that helps shrink the prostate and improve urine flow with a shorter recovery time.
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)?
PAE approaches BPH from a different angle. It targets the prostate’s blood supply rather than the obstructed pathway itself.
PAE is a minimally invasive procedure done by a specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist. No prostate tissue is cut or removed. Instead, the treatment lowers blood flow to the enlarged parts of the prostate.
During the procedure, tiny particles are placed into the blood vessels that feed the prostate. These particles reduce blood flow to certain areas. Over time, those areas shrink.
As the prostate gets smaller, it presses less on the bladder and urethra. This helps urine flow more easily and reduces urinary symptoms.
How Is the PAE Treatment Performed?
PAE is usually done as an outpatient procedure using light sedation. After numbing the skin, the doctor makes a small puncture in an artery in either the wrist or the groin. A thin, flexible catheter is guided through the blood vessels to reach the arteries feeding the prostate. Tiny particles are then released to reduce blood flow to the enlarged areas. The entire process usually takes one to two hours, and most men return home the same day.
Benefits of PAE
PAE offers several advantages compared with traditional prostate surgery:
- It does not involve cutting or removing prostate tissue
- Men often avoid the need for a post-procedure urinary catheter
- It has a lower risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects
- Recovery time is generally shorter than other more invasive approaches
Improvements in urine flow and symptom relief begin within days to weeks and continue to progress over the first few months.
Who May Be a Candidate for PAE?
While PAE is not the right choice for every man with BPH, it can be valuable for certain cases. It is considered for men who:
- Have moderate to severe urinary symptoms from BPH
- Have not had adequate relief from medications
- Cannot tolerate medication side effects
- Have very large prostates that may not respond as well to some minimally invasive urethral procedures
- Are not good candidates for surgery due to other medical conditions
- Want to minimize the risk of sexual side effects associated with some surgical treatments
Not everyone is a good fit for this procedure. To see if PAE is right for you, your urologist will do a careful exam and review imaging tests. These tests help show the size and shape of your prostate.
Your urologist will work with an interventional radiologist. Together, they’ll make sure the procedure is safe and a good choice for your symptoms.
PAE for BPH: A Less Invasive Way to Find Relief
Ongoing urinary problems can make daily life harder and disrupt your sleep. When BPH symptoms get worse or medicine no longer helps, PAE for BPH may be an option. Finding the right treatment can help you feel more comfortable and get back to normal activities.
Our experienced urologists in Lake Barrington, Elgin, and Hoffman Estates are here to help. If urinary symptoms are causing problems in your life, schedule an appointment today and take the next step toward feeling better.