The most common benign tumor occurring in men, enlargement of the prostate gland, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, sometimes requires treatment that can end the ability to have orgasms. The UroLift® System provides a safer alternative.
The prostate gland sits below the bladder, surrounding the urethra, the tube that delivers urine for elimination. It’s common, over time, for the prostate to grow, and it can obstruct the urethra and cause changes to the bladder.
It’s called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and about half of all men will have it by the age of 75. By the time they reach 80, up to 30% may require treatment for severe symptoms. Since the prostate supplies some fluids that comprise semen, t. The ability to ejaculate could be at risk.
Sexual medicine and urology specialist Joshua R. Gonzalez, MD, recommends the UroLift® System for his patients who need treatment for BPH. It’s the only treatment that doesn’t require cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.
Causes of prostate growth
The prostate typically continues to grow over most men’s lives. While the reasons for this aren’t completely understood, researchers suspect it’s related to changes in hormone levels. While BPH may cause problems with urination for some men with the condition, symptoms aren’t inevitable.
Age is the biggest risk factor affecting BPH, though genetics often play a role. If your brother or father has an enlarged prostate, your chances are higher too. Diabetes, heart disease, and obesity also increase your risk.
Complications
Without treatment, BPH can cause health complications. These include:
- Urinary retention: you’re unable to pass urine due to urethra blockage
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): these can be frequent for some BPH patients
- Bladder stones: a cause of infection and further urinary blockage
- Bladder changes: the walls of the bladder may no longer contract as needed
- Kidney damage: urinary retention can affect the kidneys, and UTIs can spread
When these symptoms become severe, there are surgical techniques to alter or remove prostate tissue. There’s a risk that your sexual function could be affected after these surgeries.
Treatment with UroLift
The UroLift system uses implants that insert into each side of the prostate and pull its tissue together away from the channel through which the urethra passes. This increased space removes pressure on the urethra, permitting normal urination conditions.
UroLift represents a minimally invasive outpatient approach that’s easy to perform and offers a range of advantages over other surgical procedures. These benefits include:
- No sexual side effects: UroLift won’t cause erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction
- Short recovery time: in most cases, you’ll need two or three days of rest to recover
- One-time procedure: UroLift implants are durable and long-lasting
- Near-instant results: you’ll see relief from BPH symptoms quickly
- Improved quality of life: there’s no more disturbed sleep or racing for a restroom
You may experience pain, burning, or blood in your urine after UroLift treatment, but these symptoms usually disappear within a month.
Find out if you’re a candidate for UroLift treatment by consulting with Dr. Gonzalez. You can reach our office by phone or online to schedule an appointment. This could be the BPH answer you need, so book your appointment today.