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Enlarged Prostate Treatment

An enlarged prostate can often cause problems with urination. Doctors have not yet determined what makes the prostate become enlarged, but it is believed that hormone levels in the body are a contributing factor. Some symptoms of an enlarged prostate are an urgent need to urinate, pain during urination and blood in the urine. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, there are a few common treatments to be aware of.

  1. Medications

    • Medications are the most common means of treating and enlarged prostate. The most common kinds are alpha blockers and enzyme inhibitors. Sometimes both are prescribed in what is called combination therapy. Alpha blockers are commonly used to relax the muscles around the neck of the bladder, allowing urine to flow more freely; enzyme inhibitors shrink the size of the prostate. Sometimes both medications are used simultaneously with more positive results than use of each alone.

    Microwave Therapy

    • Microwave therapy uses micro heat waves to safely and effectively destroy the inner lining of the prostate. The procedure is performed under a local anesthetic and can often cause a feeling of needing to urinate and heat in the bladder and prostate.

    Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

    • A transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, is the most common surgical procedure for an enlarged prostate. It involves receiving a general anesthetic and scraping away the extra prostate tissue with the use of small cutting tools inserted through the urethra. The length of the hospital stay can vary from one to three days. Patients may have to use a catheter to urinate for the first few days, but some patients are able to remove theirs after the first day. The TURP procedure is the most common and effective surgical procedure because it offers relief extremely quickly.

    Interstitial Laser Coagulation

    • Interstitial laser coagulation is performed under local anesthesia and involves using a fiber-optic probe to coagulate the portion of the prostate that is obstructing urine flow. Heat is emitted from a laser for about three minutes. The entire procedure normally last between 30 to 60 minutes.

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