In the past, men experiencing symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)—commonly known as “enlarged prostate”—would have few options if lifestyle changes and medication were not effective. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgery to remove a portion of the prostate, but it comes with risks, sexual side effects and long recovery times.
Today, prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that is growing in popularity among men with BPH. It is an outpatient procedure covered by most insurance plans and Medicare. It effectively shrinks the prostate gland and alleviates symptoms without the risks associated with surgery.
BPH affects half of all men between 51 and 60 years of age and up to 90% of men older than 80. About 14 million American men have BPH, making it one of the most common health conditions related to aging.
The prostate gland is located next to your bladder. As it grows, it pushes against the urethra and can block urine flow. Most men with BPH are unhappy with the condition and do not wish to live the rest of their lives with its symptoms, which typically include:
BPH is also linked to erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive. Left untreated, it can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder damage, bladder stones, kidney damage (or chronic renal failure), and urinary retention (the inability to urinate).
Prostate artery embolization is performed by an interventional radiologist, a doctor who specializes in treating diseases and other health conditions from inside the body, using imaging guidance. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through a very small pinhole-size cut in the skin and guided through the arterial system to the blood vessels that supply blood to the prostate. Then, by introducing tiny granules to the prostatic artery, the blood flow to the prostate is reduced, and the prostate gland shrinks, which relieves the associated symptoms.
Prostate artery embolization is recommended for patients who:
At NG Vascular & Vein Center, PAE is performed by interventional radiologist Dr. Nazar Golewale, one of the most experienced PAE specialists in Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicagoland area. He has performed more PAE procedures than any other physician in Northwest Indiana, was among the first in the Midwest to offer this treatment, and is considered a regional leader in minimally invasive prostate care.
Dr. Golewale is also one of the longest-serving interventional radiologists in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland performing outpatient, image-guided procedures. With more than 6,000 interventional radiology procedures completed overall, he brings veteran expertise to each case, with a special focus on men’s health, pain relief, and minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. He also has one of the highest ratings for patient satisfaction on Google with over 240 five star reviews.
Prostate artery embolization is an effective, less invasive option to treat BPH. If you have been diagnosed with BPH or an enlarged prostate, call us at 219-208-6218 to schedule a consultation. We are happy to work with your doctor, and if they are unfamiliar with PAE, we can share information about the procedure and its safety record with them.