New minimally invasive urology procedure helps patients with BPH

It’s not uncommon for men 50 years and older to feel like their bladder is running their life. As men age, they may start getting up throughout the night more frequently and find themselves always on the lookout for bathrooms in public places.

One cause for this issue is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Also called prostate enlargement, BPH is a noncancerous increase in size of the prostate gland. For men living with BPH, it can have a big impact on their quality of life. It is a progressive, lifelong obstructive disease, so seeking treatment at an early stage can help men preserve their bladder health for the long-term. Not treating the obstruction may lead to bladder deterioration over time.

A primary care provider may prescribe one or more medications as a first line of treatment for BPH, though for some, this only offers partial and temporary relief. In addition, some medications cause unwanted side effects and may impact sexual function. If a patient wants to get off BPH medications, it may be best to consult a urologist to discuss other options. 

A new, non-surgical option

Providence Olympia Urology now offers Prostate Urethral Lift (PUL), a new alternative treatment to surgical options for treating BPH.

Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013, but performed around the world since 2005, this procedure is the first permanent implant designed to relieve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, while preserving sexual function. Its effectiveness and high safety profile have made this procedure the standard of care in Australia and the UK for years. In 2018, the American Urological Association made it standard of care for BPH in the U.S.

The procedure doesn’t involve cutting or heating the prostate, and can be performed either in the office or in the operating room. Patients can expect a minimal recovery period of one to two weeks, during which there are no dietary and minimal physical restrictions. Patients can return to work quickly, and rarely are catheters required.

“We are committed to providing patients with the highest quality, most effective options to address their urologic needs, while minimizing side effects,” said Marina Cheng, M.D., FACS, urologist at Providence Olympia Urology. “This new technology has an excellent safety profile and provides men suffering from an enlarged prostate fast and meaningful relief from BPH symptoms, improving overall quality of life for our patients.”

For more information about Providence Olympia Urology, call 360-486-6772.

Symptoms of BPH include:

• Difficulty urinating
• A weak stream of urine
• Frequent urination
• Frequent awakening at night to urinate

Candidates for the procedure are men who:

• Have bothersome urinary symptoms despite medications
• Would like to get off of medications due to side effects such as dizziness or sexual side effects
• Would like to reduce the number of medications being taken
• Have prostate cancer and are experiencing urination problems
• With prostate cancer who need to improve urination symptoms
• Have considered TURP but are medically high risk patients who prefer a shorter lighter anesthesia
• Are young, have BPH, and would like to improve urination while preserving sexual function