How is bph treated

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How is BPH diagnosed and evaluated? How is BPH treated? Tests vary from patient to patient, but the following are the most common: Filling out a questionnaire: Your doctor is most interested in the severity and type of symptoms you have, and how much they bother you or impact your life.

A simple questionnaire is a common starting point. Urine flow study: During this test, the patient voluntarily empties his bladder and the amount of flow is measured.

A special device can help physicians detect reduced urine flow associated with BPH. Digital rectal examination DRE : The physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum located next to the prostate and feels the back of the prostate. Prostate cancers can sometimes be detected as lumps or bumps on the prostate here. Cystoscopy: In this examination, the physician inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end called a cystoscope through the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis.

The camera allows the physician to inspect the inside of the prostate, urethra channel and bladder. Transrectal ultrasound and Prostate Biopsy: There are two potential reasons for this exam: 1 If there is suspicion for prostate cancer, this test may be recommended. The physician uses an ultrasound probe to acquire images of the prostate and guides a biopsy needle into the prostate to remove small slivers of tissue for examination under a microscope.

In this case, only an ultrasound image will be obtained; no needles will be used. Transabdominal ultrasound : This exam may be performed to measure the size of the prostate and the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination. Prostate magnetic resonance imaging MRI : MRI provides views of the entire prostate with excellent soft tissue contrast.

Drug treatment: The FDA has approved several drugs to relieve common symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, including drugs that inhibit the production of the hormone DHT and drugs that relax the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow. Procedures include the following: Transurethral resection of the prostate TURP : The most common or "gold standard" surgical treatment for BPH, TURP involves the insertion of an instrument called a resectoscope through the urethra to remove the obstructing tissue, almost like removing the core from an apple, thus widening the channel.

Laser surgery: When a TURP procedure is done with a laser instead of traditional scraping, the procedures are similar although differently named, depending on the type of laser used. The physician passes the laser fiber through the urethra into the prostate and then delivers bursts of energy to vaporize obstructing prostate tissue.

Transurethral incision of the prostate TUIP : In this procedure, the surgeon widens the urethra by making a few small incisions in the prostate gland and the neck of the bladder where it joins the urethra.

Learn more about the similarities and differences of BPH and prostate cancer. Sometimes, your doctor will want you to have regular checkups to monitor your symptoms and the size of your prostate. Lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery are all treatment options for symptoms that are affecting your quality of life.

Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that helps you manage your symptoms and live a healthy life. Prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH are two conditions that affect the prostate. Although both can lead to pain and difficulty…. Acute prostatitis is the sudden onset of inflammation in your prostate. Learn how to recognize and treat this uncomfortable condition.

If you have benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH , certain substances may make your condition worse. Learn more here about BPH and medications to avoid…. Learn the connection between caffeine and BPH, and find tips for kicking your coffee addiction. Flomax is usually used in men to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH.

However, sometimes it is used in women. Learn about Flomax side effects for…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What is BPH? About the prostate. BPH causes. BPH symptoms. BPH diagnosis. BPH treatment. BPH natural treatment. BPH drugs. Surgery for BPH. Complications of BPH. Antimuscarinics relax the bladder muscles. Phytotherapies are herbal treatments and are not recommended by health care providers. One popular herb is saw palmetto. Several important studies show they do not work.

Also, the quality and purity of supplements vary. Less invasive surgery or minimally invasive surgical treatments MIST can often be done as an outpatient, without a stay in the hospital. Recovery time is usually quicker.

It can offer relief from symptoms, including urine control problems. Be sure to ask your urologist about re-treatment rates whenever considering a MIST or even more invasive surgery. Good candidates include men who have taken BPH medication that did not work or men with the following symptoms:. There are several types of less invasive surgeries from which to choose. The option will depend on the size of your prostate, your overall health and your personal choice.

PUL uses a needle to place tiny implants in the prostate. These implants lift and compresses the enlarged prostate so that it no longer blocks the urethra. PUL may be done with either local or general anesthesia. With this treatment there are no cuts in the body and tissue is not destroyed or removed. Many men with enlarged prostates and urinary symptoms are good candidates.

There are fewer sexual side effects with this, compared to other types of prostate surgery. Talk to your doctor about how PUL may impact the image quality of future MRI used for prostate cancer detection and if you are allergic to nickel, titanium or stainless steel.

Current studies have evaluated five years of treatment with PUL and future studies may help to determine long term durability. It uses a special handheld device with a needle at the end. It combines radiofrequency energy and water to create steam. The needle and steam cause rapid cell death. Men may be good candidates if they do not want to take medication for BPH or if they have tried prescription drugs and found they do not work. Men who prefer not to have surgery or want to avoid sexual side effects may also be good candidates.

You may have blood in your urine and need to use a catheter for a few days. Painful or frequent urination should go away within about two to three weeks. Sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, are unlikely. TUMT uses microwaves to destroy prostate tissue.

A urologist inserts a catheter through the urethra to the prostate. This destroys enlarged tissue. A cooling system protects the urinary tract from heat damage. TUMT is a low-risk procedure that only takes one hour. Pain medication is used, but no anesthesia.

It may relieve bladder obstruction. Men with too many medical problems for invasive surgery may be good candidates for this surgery. There is little blood loss or fluid absorption.

TUMT poses a low risk of side effects, such as urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence and scarring in the urethra.

Some men have symptoms that include frequent or intense urges to pass urine and a burning feeling when passing urine. Newer therapies have largely replaced this practice. Catheterization uses a tube called a catheter in the bladder to drain urine. Catheters can be placed through the urethra or via a small puncture in the bladder above the pubic bone. This option is helpful for men with bladder control problems and a blocked prostate. Still, catheters' benefits are temporary. Infection is a risk.

This treatment is best for men who are waiting for medication to work, or waiting for surgery. They also help when there is an infection, or for men toward the end of their lives, when surgery is not advised. There are two types:. In severe cases of BPH, or when other options fail, more invasive surgery is recommended.

More invasive surgery is best if you:. There are several types of more invasive surgery options from which to choose. TUIP is used to widen the urethra if the prostate gland is small but causes a major blockage. For TUIP, the surgeon makes small cuts in the bladder neck, where the urethra joins the bladder and in the prostate.

This widens the urethra and reduces the pressure of the prostate on the urethra, making urination easier. The hospital stay is one to three days.

A catheter is left in your bladder for one to three days after surgery. Some men need follow-up treatment. Men who do not want a complete prostatectomy removal of the prostate but need surgery are good candidates. PVP is a way to vaporize prostate tissue with a high-powered laser. Most men can have a PVP without problems. There are few side effects.

After PVP, most men can stop medical therapy. This method is useful for most men except those with the largest of prostates. Because this method causes very little blood loss it is particularly useful in men with a higher risk of bleeding, such as those taking blood-thinning medications or those with weak hearts. TURP uses electric current or laser light to cut and remove tissue.

This is done with anesthesia and a tool called a resectoscope inserted through the penis. The resectoscope provides light, irrigating fluid and an electrical loop. The loop cuts tissue and seals blood vessels. The removed tissue is flushed into the bladder and out of the body with a catheter. In HoLEP, the surgeon places a thin, tube-like instrument a resectoscope through the penis into the urethra. A laser inserted into the resectoscope destroys the excess prostate tissue.

No incisions cuts are needed and there is very little bleeding. You may only need to stay one night in the hospital. A catheter is used, but it is usually removed the next day. Men with larger prostates who wish to avoid more-invasive surgery may be good candidates for this treatment. Men with a higher risk of bleeding, such as those taking blood-thinning medications, may also be good candidates for HoLEP. As in HoLEP, the surgeon places a resectoscope through the penis into the urethra.

No incisions cuts are needed. There is very little bleeding. A catheter may be used, but it is usually removed the next day. In TUVP, the surgeon inserts a resectoscope into the urethra with a lens, a light, and a tool that sends out an electrical current to destroy prostate tissue.

Heat from the electrical current seals small blood vessels, reducing the risk of bleeding.