Prostatic enlargement

Prostatic enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a non-cancerous, age-related condition where the prostate gland grows larger than normal. As the prostate gets bigger, it presses against the bladder and prostatic urethra and gradually block the flow of urine from the bladder. It causes symptoms like frequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, weak stream, leaking urine, pain during urination or after ejaculation and blood in the urine. Prostatic artery embolization is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, angiography based, day care procedure done under local anesthesia that improves the lower urinary tract symptoms which are caused by enlarged prostate. The prostatic artery embolization is performed by an interventional radiologist who inject a small amount of medicine inside the prostate gland and make it shrink causing relief from symptoms without surgery.

Facts you need to know

Symptoms of prostate enlargement are present in about one in four men by the age 55 years and in half of all men who are 75 years or above in age. Treatment is only necessary if the symptoms are bothersome and not getting controlled by the optimum medical support. The prostatic artery embolization has less risk, less pain and faster recovery compared to open surgery and has a very low risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects after the procedure compared with more invasive surgical procedures such as TURP.

You would require prostatic artery embolization if these symptoms are really bothering you - urinary incontinence which can range from minor leaking to complete loss of bladder control. Irritation during micturition. Increased urinary frequency, urgency, pain upon urination and sense of incomplete voiding, disturbed sleep.