Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
An enlarged prostate – also called BPH – causes urinary and bladder habits to change. Symptoms including frequent urination and weak urine stream can interfere with your daily life.
The likelihood that a man will develop an enlarged prostate increases with age, and almost all men experience prostate enlargement as they get older.
There are several treatment options available for BPH. Urologists at WashU Medicine offer the latest BPH treatments for enlarged prostate in a comfortable, private setting.
Enlarged Prostate Treatments
An enlarged prostate can be treated with medicine or surgery. Deciding on which treatment is best for you depends on your health and goals. WashU Medicine urologists have the knowledge and expertise to help you find a BPH treatment that works for you.
Medications
Prescription drugs may help with BPH. Medicines can be used to shrink or relax the prostate, making urination easier. Many people can manage their enlarged prostate with medication.
For men who don’t respond well to medication, there are minimally invasive surgical options to treat an enlarged prostate.
Waterjet Therapy
One of the latest advances in BPH treatment uses a heat-free waterjet to remove excess prostate tissue. This treatment combines ultrasound imaging with robotic precision to provide long-lasting BPH relief.
Waterjet therapy is a resective procedure, which means that the prostate tissue causing symptoms is surgically removed. No incision is made in the abdomen, as the prostate is reached through the urethra.
Waterjet therapy is performed in a hospital with anesthesia. The procedure typically takes an hour and may involve an overnight stay.
Laser Treatment
Minimally invasive laser therapy uses a high-powered laser to remove overgrown prostate cells. This treatment uses a thin device inserted into the urethra to vaporize excess prostate tissue that is blocking the bladder.
Doctors usually perform this procedure in an operating room with anesthesia. This procedure does not require an incision, and there is typically no overnight hospital stay.
Permanent Implants
The prostatic urethral lift is a minimally invasive procedure to treat BPH. In this procedure, your urologist inserts tiny implants through the urethra to move the enlarged prostate away from the urethra, allowing urine to flow more easily.
Instead of removing or destroying the excess prostate tissue, the treatment uses permanent implants to lift the tissue out of the way. This procedure does not use incisions. After this procedure, there is usually no overnight hospital stay.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgery to remove excess prostate tissue. In this procedure, your urologist inserts a wire loop, called a resectoscope, through the urethra. The wire loop delivers an electric current that trims away the extra prostate tissue.
This procedure is done in an operating room with anesthesia, and typically requires 1-2 days of hospital stay.
Enlarged Prostate Treatment in St. Louis
Urologists at WashU Medicine offer the latest in medical, surgical and minimally invasive treatments for symptoms of enlarged prostate or BPH.
For people with frequent urination, weak urine stream or other lower urinary tract symptoms, a conversation with a trained urologist is often the first step to finding relief.
To contact a WashU Medicine urologist, call 314-362-8200 or request an appointment by pressing the button below.