You Have Only 1 Prostate. But Multiple Treatment Options Are Available

Just because something is common, it isn’t necessarily easy to live with.

Ask any man after first experiencing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is common. Nearly half of all men experience symptoms of BPH by the age of 60. In fact, there are more men seeking treatment for enlarged prostates in this country than there are people in the state of Ohio – as many as 14 million.

Still, prevalence doesn’t make BPH any less concerning for each of these men as they try to manage the symptoms. To them, only one case counts – theirs. For this reason, we offer our patients a range of treatment options, so each can consider and choose the approach best for him.

So BPH is common. It’s among the leading conditions for which men make appointments with The Urology Group.

Learn about our BPH clinic’s state-of-the-art care

Still, prevalence doesn’t make BPH any less concerning for each of these men as they try to manage the symptoms. To them, only one case counts – theirs. For this reason, we offer our patients a range of treatment options, so each can consider and choose the approach best for him.

This blog will detail those treatment options, but first let’s make clear why treatment is necessary.

The Prostate Is a Gland That Expands

Patients tend to wonder if they could have prevented a heath condition, but BPH is unavoidable for most. In many men, the prostate tissue just begins to grow between the ages of 40 to 50. Researchers aren’t certain why this occurs, although they do believe certain male hormones can trigger prostate tissue growth later in life.

If the tissue expands to the point of compressing the urethra, which runs from the bladder through the prostate, it is considered enlarged. The most common symptoms include:

• difficulty starting to urinate;
• urine leakage;
• a weak urine stream; and
• an urge to go frequently, particularly at night (READ OUR BLOG). 

The good news is BPH is non-cancerous, hence the word “benign” in the condition’s name. However, it can eventually compromise your bladder’s ability to push urine out and that could lead to more serious complications. Untreated, BPH can contribute to urinary tract infections (UTIs), incontinence, kidney damage, kidney stones, or bladder damage that would require a catheter or adult diapers later in life. 

Navigating Your Treatment Options, Starting With a Diagnosis 

The first step to treating your BPH is recognizing the above symptoms. The next step is getting tested and diagnosed by a urologist. 

Typically, testing begins with a digital rectal exam, to feel the size and shape of the prostate; a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test; and a urine test. Your doctor might also perform bladder function tests, such as a scan to measure the amount of urine left in your bladder after you go to the bathroom.

In some cases, advanced tests might be prescribed. These include a cystoscopy (viewing the prostate using a slim, camera-equipped scope), an ultrasound, or a needle biopsy (if the PSA test or rectal exam results reveals abnormalities). 

If your prostate is mildly enlarged, you might be advised to simply modify your diet and change your bathroom habits. You also might be prescribed a medication. Some prescription drugs can calm the bladder muscles or gradually shrink the prostate.

Minimally Invasive Options if a Diagnosis Calls for Surgery

Should an enlarged prostate cause complications, your doctor will likely consider a range of surgical procedures. Note: surgery no longer means a lengthy hospital stay and prolonged recovery. Many options are. 

In fact, the first three of the following options can be performed in our Norwood outpatient surgery center. The 4th option, PAE, is performed nearby at our Interventional Radiology Center, also in Norwood. The others are performed only in a hospital setting.

Among the leading treatments we offer today:

• Prostatic urethral lift (UroLift®) ­– In this minimally invasive procedure, the physician implants into each side of the prostate two small devices that pull the enlarged tissue away from the urethra. There is no cutting or tissue removal. . Patients may feel improvements within two weeks.
• GreenLight™ Laser Therapy – During this outpatient procedure, the urologist vaporizes the enlarged tissue using currents that are delivered through a narrow scope. In the first step, the urologist glides the scope through the urethra to gain visibility of the prostate and bladder. The doctor then uses a precise fiber laser to eliminate the tissue. A temporary catheter may be needed to allow urine to drain from the bladder. Most patients experience symptom improvement within 24 hours. 
• Aquablation Therapy – This minimally invasive approach removes excess prostate tissue using powerful heat-free water jets. There are no incisions – the prostate is accessed through your urethra. Patients typically need to stay overnight, possibly two nights, and need to wear a catheter home if unable to empty their baldders. 
• Prostate artery embolization (PAE) – Introduced at The Urology Group in 2025, PAE treatments offer patients a less-expensive and low-risk alternative to surgery. In this incision-free approach, an interventional radiologist injects microscopic particles into the bloodstream and, using X-ray imaging, guides them toward the arteries that feed blood to the enlarged tissue. The particles lodge in those arteries and block the blood flow, starving the tissue of nutrients so it shrinks. We perform this outpatient procedure at our Interventional Radiology (IR) Center in Norwood, near our main campus.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) ­– Considered the gold standard for moderate to severe BPH-related urinary problems, a TURP involves inserting a slim, camera-equipped instrument called a resectoscope through the urethra and to the prostate. Using the camera, your doctor trims away excess tissue. The surgery is usually performed under anesthesia, and a urinary catheter is often required for at least 24 to 48 hour.
• Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) – A minimally invasive option prescribed for very enlarged prostates, this procedure is performed much like a TURP, but removes the prostate tissue in one piece, essentially coring it out. A separate instrument then cuts the tissue into smaller fragments to be removed.
• Robotic prostatectomy – Robotic surgery is similar to a HoLEP but requires an incision through the skin to remove the inside of the prostate. (The tissue will be checked for cancer by a pathologist.) This surgery might require an overnight hospital stay, and the patient will wear a catheter for about seven days.

You and your physician will work together to find a treatment that suits you. 

Navigating BPH is a Journey; Choose the Right Path

There may be 14 million men seeking BPH treatment in the country, but we treat each one singularly, based on the distinct needs of the patient. Your choice of BPH treatment depends on many factors, the most important being when and how you start your recovery journey. Be good to yourself – the symptom won’t go away, so don’t try to tolerate them. 

The medical community, and The Urology Group, invest a lot into providing the most adaptable, effective treatments for you. Take the first step today, so you can live your best life in many tomorrows to come. 

Want to learn more about BPH? Click here to read our Patient Guide to understanding benign prostatic hyperplasia.