Prostate Hyperplasia

Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy

Vascular and Interventional Radiologists located in St. Louis, MO & Swansea, IL

Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men where the prostate gland enlarges, leading to urinary symptoms such as:

Frequent urination, especially at night
Weak urine stream
Difficulty starting and stopping urination
A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Urgency and potential incontinence

PAE vs. Traditional Surgical Treatments

Several treatment options exist for BPH, including medications, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery. While surgery has been the traditional approach, Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) offers significant advantages.

Treatment	Procedure	Invasiveness	Recovery Time	Sexual Side Effects	Urinary Incontinence Risk
PAE (Prostate Artery Embolization)	Non-surgical, blocks blood flow to shrink the prostate	Minimally invasive	A few days	Very low risk	Very low risk
TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)	Surgical removal of prostate tissue via the urethra	Invasive	2-6 weeks	50-70% risk of retrograde ejaculation	Moderate risk
Aquaablation	High-pressure water ablation of prostate tissue	Minimally invasive	2-6 weeks	High risk of retrograde ejaculation	Moderate risk
UroLift	Permanent implants placed to hold the prostate open	Minimally invasive	2-4 weeks	May improve symptoms but less effective in large prostates	Low risk

Why PAE is a Better Alternative

Minimally Invasive with No Incisions: Unlike TURP or Aquaablation, PAE is performed via a small catheter inserted through the wrist or groin, reducing surgical risks.
Preserves Sexual Function: PAE has a much lower risk of erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation compared to traditional surgeries.
Faster Recovery with Fewer Side Effects: Patients typically resume normal activities within a few days.
Low Risk of Urinary Incontinence: Unlike TURP, PAE does not disrupt the bladder neck, reducing the risk of incontinence.
Effective for Larger Prostates: PAE works for prostates of all sizes, unlike UroLift, which is less effective for larger glands.

Who is a Good Candidate for PAE?

Men who want to avoid the risks and side effects of surgery
Patients with larger prostates (>80g) where TURP and UroLift are less effective
Those with urinary symptoms unresponsive to medication
Patients who prefer a quicker recovery and outpatient treatment

Learn More About PAE for BPH

At Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT), we specialize in Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) as a cutting-edge alternative to surgery. If you're struggling with BPH and looking for a safer, minimally invasive treatment option, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

What we offer