An enlarged prostate can lead to many uncomfortable symptoms, especially if it begins to block your urine flow. At Comprehensive Urology in the Beverly Grove community of Los Angeles, California, Kiarash Michel, MD, and his expert urology team have state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic equipment, as well as a broad range of treatment options to effectively diagnose and treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). To schedule an appointment with the team, call Comprehensive Urology, or book a visit online now.
The prostate is a gland that sits just below the bladder, right in front of the rectum. Its primary role in your reproductive system is producing fluid to make semen. Your urethra, which transports urine from the bladder through the penis, passes through the prostate gland. If you have BPH, an enlarged prostate, it can obstruct your urethra, making it difficult to pass urine.
While it’s still unclear what causes BPH, many researchers believe the effects of aging, as well as your body’s natural levels of testosterone, play a role in prostate growth.
Testosterone is a male hormone that’s vital to your reproductive development. Throughout your life, you produce both testosterone and small amounts of estrogen, a female hormone. After the age of 30, men begin producing less testosterone each year. Some studies show that lower levels of testosterone and higher estrogen levels in men can contribute to prostate enlargement.
Most symptoms of BPH affect your ability to pass urine without pain or discomfort. If you have BPH, you may experience:
How often you experience these symptoms depends on the severity of your condition. Many men notice significant changes in their urinary habits, even with a slightly enlarged prostate.
If you suspect you have BPH, Dr. Michel and the team perform a full physical that includes a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the size of your prostate. Along with a DRE, the team may recommend a urinalysis, a PSA blood test, and even a cystoscopy — a procedure that uses a scope to examine the urethra and bladder — to look for signs of infection or cancer.
Once you have a BPH diagnosis, Comprehensive Urology offers a comprehensive list of treatment options, in addition to medication, including:
Minimally invasive Rezūm uses water vapor therapy to significantly reduce the symptoms of BPH.
UroLift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small implants to open up the obstructed pathway in your enlarged prostate.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure that cuts away excess prostate tissue if it’s obstructing your flow of urine. For less severe cases, Dr. Michel and the team can perform a mini-TURP, a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
If you opt for transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), Dr. Michel and the team insert a thin antenna through the urethra in your penis. Once it reaches the obstructed part of the urethra, it emits microwave energy that heats and destroys excess prostate tissue.
A robotic prostatectomy is a laparoscopic procedure that uses robot technology to treat both an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.
Schedule an appointment with Comprehensive Urology by calling the office or by booking a visit online today.
