If you have an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) you might be exploring treatment options. With this condition, you may experience mild to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that can only be relieved with medical intervention or lifestyle modifications. But how much relief can either option provide? And are there health risks you'll face if you don't treat BPH? Here's what you need to know!

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

This is a non-cancerous condition characterized by growth of the prostate gland. The enlarged prostate tissue then presses on the urethra, sometimes making it hard to urinate, or making you need to urinate frequently and urgently in other instances.

What other BPH symptoms will you face if you don't treat BPH? Many men notice that the flow of their urine is weak. Others have to wake up all night to pee. And, without treatment, many men face difficulties stopping or starting the flow of urine, along with more frequent urinary tract infections.

Is it Risky if You Don't Treat BPH?

Johns Hopkins University experts warn that avoiding or delaying BPH treatment could lead to bladder thickening; infections; bladder stones; kidney damage; or extensive urinary tract damage. Additionally, this study in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice reveals a link between untreated BPH and increased incidences of anxiety and depression. Clearly, avoiding treatment for an enlarged prostate can lead to serious complications. Yet, each year, many men do exactly that. Why is that the case?

Here's the deal. Older treatments for BPH were highly invasive, and often left men dealing with sexual side effects, urinary leakage, and other unpleasant complications. But thanks to medical advancements, you can now treat BPH with Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE). This is a minimally invasive procedure offered at the Georgia Prostate Institute. By blocking blood flow to the prostatic artery, it shrinks the enlarged gland to provide surgery-free symptom relief.

Do you want to learn more about PAE and see if you're a good candidate for this minimally invasive procedure? Click here to request an appointment at the Georgia Prostate Institute. When you come in, we'll help you find relief from BPH without surgery or overnight hospital stays!

Most men experience prostate enlargement, or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) as they age. About 25% of men have BPH by the time at 50, with that number increasing as the years pass. To date, we have still not uncovered the exact reason why this enlargement occurs. However, thanks to evidence published in the journal Aging, we are starting to get a clearer picture of the causes of prostate enlargement.

Searching for Causes of Prostate Enlargement

About half of men aged 50 to 60 develop BPH symptoms, while, by the age of 80, almost 90% of men experience prostate enlargement. Given these statistics, we can tell that there's a link between aging and your risk for an enlarged prostate. And now, with this study, we can more narrowly identify key causes of prostate enlargement: inflammation, high blood pressure or cholesterol and/or obesity.

To reach these conclusions, the study followed 218 men, analyzing blood samples from 75 men without BPH and 144 men experiencing prostate enlargement. Here's what they found: the men with BPH showed more signs of oxidative stress, indicating chronic inflammation. They were also more likely to display signs of a metabolic disorder, defined as having obesity and/or high blood pressure or cholesterol. After making these findings, the authors stated, “There is mounting evidence that links the onset of inflammation with the development of prostate diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer."

Prevention and Treatment

Given these findings, there is new hope that you can prevent or delay prostate enlargement through lifestyle measures. Specifically, managing your stress and weight; following a healthy diet; and getting regular exercise could help you reduce some of the causes of prostate enlargement.

Not sure where to start? First, you can check out this diet for enlarged prostate relief. Next, you can focus on relieving Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as nocturia and urgency by reducing the intake of irritants such as alcohol and caffeine and by eliminating your fluid intake at least two hours before going to bed.

Finally, if you want to find relief by shrinking your prostate gland, we encourage you to learn more about PAE treatment at the Georgia Prostate Institute. This minimally invasive procedure can offer lasting BPH symptom relief. And you can start to explore your candidacy for this treatment by [ga-apt-link] requesting a consultation [/ga-apt-link].

PAE, or prostatic artery embolization is an FDA-approved treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also called prostate enlargement.) Now, this condition triggers Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) and there are several ways to relieve BPH symptoms, including changes to your lifestyle, medication, and surgery. But how can you know if you are a candidate for prostatic artery embolization? This post explains PAE candidacy, while taking an in-depth look at what's involved in the procedure.

Understanding PAE ?

This non-surgical procedure alleviates urinary symptoms of BPH. The procedure involves injecting embolic materials into a wire that accesses your prostatic artery; this reduces blood flow to your prostate. In turn, it shrinks, and you experience symptom relief.

PAE is an outpatient procedure that takes about about two hours to complete. You only need moderate sedation during the procedure. And that allows you to stay awake without any discomfort, meaning you won't need general anesthesia or hospitalization.

Am I a candidate for prostate artery embolization?

While minimally invasive PAE is a less risky procedure than surgery, you may experience side effects such as blood in the urine, rectal bleeding, and sudden urinary retention. You should not choose PAE if you can find BPH relief by making lifestyle changes or by taking medication.

So, when would you be considered a candidate for prostate artery embolization? This is a great option if you suffer from BPH but can't find symptom relief with other, non-surgical options. The procedure can help you find relief, whether your prostate gland is large or medium in size, as this study reveals. You should also have decent kidney function and be able to tolerate contrast dye.

Ready to see if PAE can offer you BPH relief? Click here to request an appointment with our prostate specialists in Georgia. When you come into the office, we can determine if you are a PAE candidate for Georgia Prostate Institute!

Symptoms such as urgent or frequent urination; waking in the night to urinate; or struggling to start or stop urinary flow could indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). But how are doctors diagnosing BPH? Here's what you need to know.

Causes of an Enlarged Prostate

What is BPH? This is a condition in which prostate cells experience accelerated growth, leading to gland enlargement. Affecting approximately 50% of men over the age of 50, prostate enlargement can create on the urethra, triggering BPH symptoms that mostly affect the lower urinary tract. Now, this condition can develop in any individual with a prostate. But a new study just uncovered a a genetic link that increases BPH risk, helping clarify some of the underlying causes for this condition.

Diagnosing BPH

If you visit your doctor complaining of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as the ones highlighted above, the healthcare provider should begin the process of diagnosing BPH or ruling out other conditions such as infections or prostate cancer.

Your visit will probably start with the doctor asking about your current symptoms and taking a detailed medical history. A digital rectal exam may follow, allowing your doctor to detect prostate enlargement by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum. Some men may undergo the uroflow test, measuring the speed of urinary flow with the use of a special toilet. You may also need an ultrasound to see if your bladder fully empties, and to get a better idea of the current size of your prostate. Additional testing may follow, including a blood test measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a urine test, a cystoscopy or a biopsy. The results of all these tests will help diagnose BPH; they may also point to alternative diagnoses, helping direct your treatment options.

Choosing Treatments for BPH

After diagnosing BPH, you can begin exploring treatment options. Some men may find symptom relief by improving their diets, managing their fluid intake, and removing triggers such as alcohol or caffeine. Medications may offer BPH relief, along with the added benefit of protection from Lewy body dementia , according to this study. However, for men who don't find sufficient symptom relief by choosing these treatment options, Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE), may be a better way forward. This is a minimally-invasive interventional radiology procedure; it shrinks the prostate with fewer side effects than surgery. To learn more about PAE and see if you're a candidate for this procedure, simply request a consultation at the Georgia Prostate Institute.

Benign protastic hyperplasia (also called BPH, or referred to as prostate enlargement)requires BPH treatment. But, when you're seeking relief, there are several different treatment options which you can choose from. So, today, we're explaining our Georgia Prostate Institute's specialists are explaining each of your options, and highlighting how interventional radiology can provide effective relief.

What is BPH?

With this condition, you experience enlargement of the prostate gland due to non-cancerous causes. (This walnut-shaped gland produces the fluid for semen, making it an important part of the male reproductive system). Still, because the prostate surrounds the urethra and bladder, any enlargement can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS.

BPH Symptoms

What are the two most common symptoms of BPH? Many men complain of losing the ability to urinate or of having difficulties completely emptying their bladders, with the end of urinary flow slowing to a dribble. Other LUTS symptoms include:

• Incontinence
• Blood in the urine
• Pain with urination 
• Delayed onset of urination
• Urinary urgency, without prior warning

Seeking BPH treatment

When you're choosing between BPH treatment options, you should be guided by symptom severity. Some men can simply observe their symptoms for any changes, making sure your condition isn't getting worse. At the same time, you can incorporate lifestyle changes to reduce your symptom impact. Try urinating as soon as you feel the need. Schedule regular bathroom trips, even when you don't feel the need, and avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, especially at night.

On that note: drinking at night is something to think about as well. You should stop all all fluid consumption at least two hours before you plan to go to sleep. Instead, try sipping small volumes of fluid all day long, instead of guzzling beverages all in one go.

With BPH, regular exercise can also help improve your symptoms by managing stress and reducing tension. But you should also carefully discuss over-the-counter medication use with your doctor, since decongestants and antihistamines can worsen LUTS symptoms.

Medications for BPH

When symptoms become more intrusive, you may turn to BPH medications. Both finasteride and dutasteride lower hormone production in the prostate, in turn reducing its size. (However, these medications take at least three months to deliver noticeable symptom relief.)

Another option is to try Alpha-1 blockers; these blood-pressure medications relax the neck of the bladder, along with the prostate, making it easier to urinate. But, like all medications, these options for BPH treatment can interact with other prescriptions and cause unwanted side effects . As such, you may want to explore other pathways to relief.

Non-Surgical BPH Treatment

One non-surgical treatment option is aquablation, which uses ultrasound guidance to place a water jet that can destroy excess prostate tissue. Often recommended for men who have difficulties emptying their bladder and therefore retain urine, this procedure does require you to stay overnight in the hospital.

Wanting to avoid overnight hospital stays? The FDA approves Prostate Artery Embolization, or PAE, for effective BPH treatment. We perform this outpatient procedure at our Georgia Prostate Institute to relieve LUTS and other effects of prostate enlargement. Now, not every patient can benefit from this treatment option, but you be a PAE candidate if you've failed to find BPH symptom relief with medications, prefer to avoid surgery, and aren't a good candidate for invasive procedures.

Ready to find LUTS relief? When medications and lifestyle interventions fail, we can provide non-surgical relief. Contact our Georgia specialists today to discuss treating BPH with PAE.

While many treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can cause sexual side effects, there are ways to shrink your enlarged prostate while minimizing the impact on your sex life. If you choose to undergo a surgery such as TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate), you are at high risk for ejaculatory dysfunction following your procedure. However, you can treat BPH without sexual side effects with a minimally invasive procedure such as Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE).

When to Treat an Enlarged Prostate

After turning 50, prostate enlargement is a common concern for most men. Even when the cause of enlargement is benign, you may choose to seek treatment when BPH symptoms such as nocturia or urgency begin to interfere with your daily life.

Initially, you may explore lifestyle adjustments or medications that can help manage an enlarged prostate. But when these options fail to provide sufficient relief, additional interventions may be necessary. And, at this point, you will have to ask: can I treat BPH without sexual side effects? Luckily, the answer is yes, you can!

Sexual Side Effects and Treatment for an Enlarged Prostate

For years, the TURP procedure was the gold-standard BPH treatment for men who could not find relief from medications such as Cialis for BPH or from lifestyle adjustments. However, that was a big problem, as this study reveals that the procedure causes retrograde ejaculation (semen flows back into the bladder instead of out of the urethra) in about 66% of patients. Naturally, this causes hesitation for many men.

Today, there are options such as PAE treatment that can address BPH while reducing your risk for sexual side effects. The procedure still shrinks your enlarged prostate, but it does so in a minimally-invasive manner, using small punctures wounds and guided cathethers to reduce blood flow to your gland. As such, this study reports that ejaculatory dysfunction impacts just 10% of men who undergo PAE. Moreover, the patients who experienced sexual side effects also experienced greater difficulty emptying the bladder (called post-void residual volume) before seeking treatment.

Now, not every patient is a candidate for PAE. But if you want to treat BPH without sexual side effects, it's worth learning more about this procedure. You can start your journey by requesting a consultation at one of our three convenient Georgia Prostate Institute locations.

Do you wake up at night with an urgent need to urinate? We understand how frustrating it is to have constant interruptions and discomfort from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

We are here to help you find relief and reclaim your peace. With our deep expertise in managing BPH symptoms, we offer solutions that truly work, such as Cialis for BPH.

Cialis is an oral medication that helps relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the penis, prostate, and bladder, allowing urine to flow more freely.

Next, we explore Cialis treatment for BPH, its impact on urinary and sexual health, and potential side effects.

Understanding BPH

BPH is characterized by an enlarged prostate, which can range in severity. It is usually caused by natural aging and hormonal changes, but other BPH causes include cell growth, inflammation, and lifestyle or neurological factors.

Some men experience mild BPH symptoms that are easily managed with lifestyle changes, such as:

• Modifying your diet.
• Managing your fluid intake.
• Following a set urination schedule.

For others, further medical intervention is necessary for symptom relief. Talk to your healthcare provider, as they may recommend medications, like Cialis that may offer relief.

Treating an Enlarged Prostate with OTC Products

Certain home remedies like herbs or plant extracts are rumored to help relieve BPH, but the science doesn't support their efficacy. You’re more likely to benefit from making changes to your lifestyle, changing your diet, exercise and drinking plans to help mitigate symptoms such as frequent urination.

Tamsulosin (Flomax)

This is a prescription medication that works by relaxing the muscles around the prostate and bladder, making it to start the flow of urine if that is one of the challenging BPH symptoms you're facing. However, it won't resolve all your symptoms,so further intervention may be necessary.

Cialis for BPH

Cialis (generic name tadafil) was originally developed to help men living with erectile dysfunction.

However, it was FDA-approved in 2011 for BPH treatment after studies¹ revealed a once-daily Cialis for BPH dosage helped relieve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) when given over a 12-week period.

Researchers tested several Cialis daily dosage levels, including 5, 10, and 20mg. They concluded that a low dose of Cialis for BPH (a 5 mg daily) delivered maximum relief with minimal side effects.

Cialis Impact on Urinary Symptoms

Cialis works by increasing levels of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) in the body—a key player in the bodily processes (e.g.,  blood flow to the penis and muscle relaxation in the prostate and bladder) crucial for treating BPH.

Initially developed to enhance sexual function, studies² have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving urine flow by promoting prostate relaxation.

Additionally, Cialis reduces nighttime urination frequency, offering daily relief from symptoms.

What is the best time of day to take Cialis for BPH? Taking Cialis once daily can significantly alleviate symptom burden. While you can take this medication any time of day, you should try to take it at the same time every day.

Cialis Impact on Sexual Function

Cialis enhances the release of a key chemical during sexual arousal, increasing blood flow to the penis. This helps you achieve and sustain an erection, facilitating sexual intercourse. Its effects can last for 36 hours after taking the medication, offering greater spontaneity in sexual activity for many men.

Potential Side Effects of Cialis

For most men, Cialis causes only mild side effects, including:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Back and muscle pain
• Stuffy nose
• Facial flushing

However, it can also cause a sudden and potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure. Therefore, men taking nitrates or other blood-pressure-lowering medications should not take Cialis.

Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction Post-Treatment

Cialis can improve your quality of life by relieving the painful, frustrating, and uncomfortable urinary symptoms of BPH.

However, if you cannot take Cialis for BPH, or it doesn’t provide sufficient relief, you still have non-surgical options.

At Georgia Prostate Institute, our interventional radiologists offer Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive procedure that helps alleviate lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. PAE avoids large incisions and general anesthesia, reducing the risks and recovery time of traditional prostate surgery.

Are you interested in PAE treatment? Request a consultation with our prostate specialists in Georgia today to explore your options.

References:

1. Claus G. Roehrborn, Kevin T. mcVary, Albert Elion-Mboussa, and Lars Viktrup. 2008, October 1). Tadalafil Administered One Daily for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Dose Finding Study. https://www.auajournals.org/article/S0022-5347(08)01715-1/fulltext
   
   
2. Konstantinos Hatzimouratidis. (2014, August). A review of the use of tadalafil in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with and without erectile dysfunction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4054509/

Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate) include the frequent or urgent need to urinate. Nocturia, when you have to wake up at night to pee, is also a common symptom. For that reason, many men think they can manage their symptoms by reducing their overall fluid intake. So, should you drink less with enlarged prostate problems? The answer is no, and this is why.

 Should You Drink Less with Enlarged Prostate?

Since drinking does make you urinate, reducing your fluid intake could temporarily relieve some BPH symptoms. But you still should not drink less with BPH, because doing so could lead to dehydration. Then, you're at an increased risk for both bladder and kidney stones. You could even give yourself an overactive bladder. And that could worsen existing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) brought on by your enlarged prostate.

Drink the Same, Time it Differently

Since you should not drink less with an enlarged prostate, how can you manage your symptom burden? Ideally, you should take care about the timing of when you consume fluids. Aim to consume about 64 ounces of fluid in a day, increasing that total if you work out or go outside in warm, sunny weather. But try to avoid drinking anything in the two hours before bedtime, steering clear of food as well, especially fluid-rich dietary choices.

You should also be careful about the types of fluid you ingest. Reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol from your diet can help reduce your urgent trips to the bathroom, since both substances are irritants and can contribute to your frequent need to urinate.

Choosing Treatment Over Coping Mechanisms

Instead of planning your day around your drinking schedule and bathroom trips, you can choose to find lasting relief with PAE treatment. This minimally invasive procedure shrinks your prostate by blocking blood flow to the gland. Afterward, symptoms improve or disappear. And you can finally stop worrying about the need to drink less with an enlarged prostate.

Ready to find relief from an enlarged prostate? Want to avoid the cost, down time and side effects associated with surgery? We're here to help. Just [/ga-appt-link] reach out to our team [/ga-appt-link] at the Georgia Prostate Institute and request a consultation. When you come in to the office, we can explore your candidacy for this procedure.

Having an enlarged prostate can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) because the expanded gland puts pressure on the bladder and urethra. One common symptom is nocturia, or the need to wake up to urinate several times in the night. But just how common is this issue? According to recent surveys, more than 80% of men 50 and older wake up to pee at night once a month or more. It's likely that these wakings are related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), since that is the age at which many men experience non-cancerous gland enlargement. So, how can you address these enlarged prostate sleep problems, and stop BPH from keeping you up all night? Keep reading to find out.

Understanding Enlarged Prostate Sleep Problems

BPH can lead to poor sleep quality, this study reveals. And that's because several BPH symptoms directly impact your ability to stay in bed, especially:

• Nocturia, the need to urinate several times during the night
• Urgency, or having to urinate suddenly, without warning

Of course, it's disruptive to your sleep when you're waking up all night to pee. But even when you are asleep, those interruptions can reduce the quality of the rest you are able to get. Plus, the impact of your enlarged prostate sleep problems can spread, as 64% of individuals who have a partner with BPH report their own sleep disruptions.

Aside from leaving you tired, sleep loss can have additional negative impacts. It's been linked to reduced function; memory loss; stress; depression; and diabetes. But you don't have to live with sleep disruptions forever. Instead, you can treat BPH to reduce your symptom burden and finally get the rest you've been missing.

Treating BPH

In order to address enlarged prostate sleep problems, you can start making lifestyle adjustments. Stop drinking completely at least two hours before going to bed. And limit your intake or alcohol and caffiebe all day, since these substances increase your need to urinate.

Medications including Cialis for BPH can relieve some of your symptoms. However, if you want to shrink your prostate while avoiding surgery, PAE treatment (or prostatic artery embolization) could be your best option. Unlike prostate surgery, this minimally invasive procedure can relieve prostate enlargement without the risk of sexual side effects. You can learn more about this treatment option by requesting a consultation at the Georgia Prostate Institute.

Your prostate is a small gland in the body, charged with producing semen. As you grow older, it tends to get larger. And, due to its location below your bladder, that enlargement can cause lower urinary tract symptoms and other signs of prostate problems. But how can you tell when to seek medical attention? Here’s what you need to know.

Common signs of prostate problems

Any of the following symptoms could indicate developing prostate problems:

• Frequent urge to urinate (called urgency)
• Nocturia, or the need to get up and urinate multiple times during the night
• Noticing blood in urine (hematuria)
• Pain or burning with urination
• Pain when ejaculating
• Experiencing pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, pelvis, rectum or even the upper thighs
• Urinary flow that dribbles, is hard to initiate or hard to stop

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to speak with your healthcare provider. They could be a sign that you’re experiencing one or more of the prostate problems highlighted below.

Prostate conditions: seeking diagnosis

Many of the symptoms listed above could be associated with more than one condition affecting the prostate. Potential concerns include: 

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, a condition in which the gland becomes enlarged for reasons that aren’t cancer. Multiple, non-surgical treatments are available, including lifestyle changes, medications and PAE treatment in Georgia.
• Prostatitis, either acute or chronic, describing a bacterial infection that will usually require antibiotics to be resolved.  
• Prostate cancer

Because these prostate problems all have some overlapping symptoms, its important to see your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. With timely medical attention, you can receive a diagnosis of infection, or differentiate between BPH vs prostate cancer. Then, if BPH is the cause of your prostate problems, you can request a consultation with the Georgia Prostate Institute. When you come into our offices, we can review your candidacy for minimally invasive Prostate Artery Embolization, relieving your symptoms without the risks of surgery.