Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Treatment in McKinney & Serving Melissa, TX
What is Enlarged Prostate/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is when the prostate and surrounding tissue expands. As you age, your prostate may get larger. BPH is when it gets large enough to cause problems.
As the prostate enlarges, it presses against the urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Over time the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty fully. Urine then remains in the bladder. These problems cause many of the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of BPH. How BPH causes symptoms may help your healthcare team determine if and what type of treatment to suggest.
Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Symptoms
When the prostate is enlarged, it can bother or block the bladder. Needing to pass urine often is a common symptom of BPH. This might include the need to pass urine as often as every one to two hours, mainly at night.
Other symptoms of BPH are listed below:
- Incomplete emptying: the feeling your bladder is full, even after passing urine.
- Frequency: the need to pass urine often, about every one to two hours.
- Intermittency: the need to stop and start several times when passing urine.
- Urgency: feeling the urgent need to pass urine as if you can’t wait.
- Weak stream: a weak urine flow.
- Straining: trouble starting to pass urine or the need to push or strain to pass urine.
- Nocturia: the need to wake up at night more than two times to pass urine.[1]
Enlarged Prostate Causes
An enlarged prostate is often a completely benign issue occurring from age. This is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and happens to almost all men, particularly once they reach 40. With this condition, the prostate can grow to the size of a lemon.
While it's not as common, an enlarged prostate could occur from cancer. Despite it being a less common reason for an enlarged prostate, this particular issue is the second leading cancer in men.
Another reason for an enlarged prostate could be prostatitis, which may stem from an infection, urinary tract issue, injury, or another similar issue that'll cause the prostate to grow in size, even if it's only temporary.
What are my treatment options?
The treatment for your enlarged prostate will depend on the
underlying cause. It could include anything from prescribing an
antibiotic to an alpha blocker or other similar drug to referring you
to a specialist for treatment.
The next step is a thorough evaluation that will ask you questions about any symptoms you're experiencing. Our physician may perform a prostate-specific antigen blood test to assess your PSA levels, which can rise from either cancer or BPH. A biopsy may be necessary to rule out cancer. This test consists of our physician taking a sample of tissue from the prostate and analyzing it under a microscope to look for abnormal cells.
Dr. Martin utilizes an individualized approach to treating BPH based on patient preference and anatomy. There are behavioral, medical and surgical treatments available. For surgical management, Dr. Martin provides the following procedures:
- Robotic simple prostatectomy
- Greenlight Laser Photovaporization (PVP)
- Urolift: Involves placing small implants in the prostate to lift and hold the
enlarged tissue away from the urethra, relieving pressure and improving urine flow without removing any prostate tissue. - Rezum: A treatment that uses water vapor therapy to shrink the prostate by
targeting and destroying excess prostate tissue, which is then absorbed by the body. - Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
- Laser Enucleation of the Prostate
Why Choose Our Urologist?
Training and experience are the main reasons for choosing our doctor. Dr. Martin underwent specialized training to offer robotic, minimally invasive surgeries and the latest treatment approaches for conditions like an enlarged prostate.
Besides expertise, his bedside manner is another major reason. No matter the outcome, you can rest assured that our practitioner will approach the situation with the utmost sensitivity. We want you to feel comfortable and at ease so you can share anything you're experiencing here.
If you have any concerning urinary symptoms, contact Dr. Alexander Martin, serving McKinney and Melissa, TX, and the general vicinity, to see if it could be an enlarged prostate and receive the appropriate treatment.
Struggling with enlarged prostate symptoms? Make an appointment today with Dr. Alexander Martin, MD and find out what treatment is right for you. You can reach us in our McKinney, TX office at (972) 548-8195. We proudly serve Melissa, TX and surrounding areas, so call now!
Resources
- Urology Care Foundation. “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia”. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(bph)