BPH Treatment Without Major Surgery: Understanding Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
If frequent trips to the bathroom, difficulty urinating, or waking up several times during the night have become part of your daily routine, an enlarged prostate may be the reason.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an extremely common condition in men, particularly as they get older. While BPH is not cancer, its symptoms can significantly interfere with sleep, work, travel, exercise, and overall quality of life.
The good news is that surgery isn’t the only option.
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for BPH that can reduce urinary symptoms by shrinking the enlarged prostateâwithout traditional prostate surgery.
At Elite Vascular Care, our goal is simple: help you understand your options and find the treatment that can get you back to living your life.
What Is BPH?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is the noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the prostate enlarges, it can place pressure on the urethra and interfere with the normal flow of urine.
For some men, symptoms are relatively mild. For others, BPH can become a frustrating part of everyday life.
Common Symptoms of BPH
Symptoms may include:
- Frequent urination
- Urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak or interrupted urine stream
- Straining to urinate
- Feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied
- Dribbling after urination
- Waking multiple times during the night to urinate
- Difficulty postponing urination
Many men gradually adjust their lives around these symptoms. They learn where every bathroom is, avoid long car rides, limit fluids before leaving home, or accept interrupted sleep as part of getting older.
But bothersome urinary symptoms don’t necessarily have to become your new normal.
When Medication Isn't Enough
For many patients, medications are an appropriate first step in treating BPH. These medications may help relax muscles around the prostate or reduce prostate size.
However, medication doesn’t work well enough for everyone.
Some men continue experiencing significant symptoms despite treatment, while others may experience medication side effects or simply want to explore other options.
Traditionally, the next step could involve a surgical procedure.
Today, certain patients may have another option: Prostate Artery Embolization.
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization?
Prostate Artery Embolization, commonly called PAE, is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist.
Rather than surgically removing prostate tissue, PAE treats the enlarged prostate by reducing its blood supply.
During the procedure, the physician uses advanced imaging technology to guide a small catheter through the blood vessels supplying the prostate. Tiny particles are then carefully delivered into specific prostate arteries.
These particles reduce blood flow to the enlarged prostate tissue.
Over time, the prostate begins to shrink, relieving pressure on the urethra and potentially improving urinary symptoms.
What Happens During a PAE Procedure?
PAE is performed through a small access point in an artery, commonly through the wrist or groin depending on the patient’s anatomy and treatment plan.
Using X-ray guidance, the interventional radiologist carefully navigates a thin catheter through the body’s arteries until reaching the blood vessels supplying the prostate.
Microscopic particles are delivered through the catheter to reduce blood flow to targeted areas of the prostate.
There are no large surgical incisions, and the prostate does not have to be surgically removed.
Once the treatment is completed, the catheter is removed and the small access site is treated.
What Are the Potential Benefits of PAE?
For appropriately selected patients, PAE offers several potential advantages compared with more invasive treatment options.
These may include:
- Minimally invasive treatment
- No large surgical incision
- Typically performed without general anesthesia
- Reduced urinary symptoms
- Improved urinary flow
- Reduced prostate volume over time
- Shorter recovery compared with many surgical procedures
- Lower risk of certain sexual side effects compared with some traditional prostate surgeries
- Ability to treat some patients with very large prostates
- Outpatient treatment in many cases
Medication management is often combined with lifestyle improvements for the best long-term outcomes.
Minimally Invasive PAD Procedures
When symptoms significantly affect daily life or blood flow becomes severely restricted, minimally invasive treatment may provide lasting relief.
Angiography
A tiny catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the artery, allowing your physician to visualize blood flow using advanced imaging.
This procedure identifies the location and severity of blockages.
Balloon Angioplasty
A small balloon is advanced to the narrowed artery and gently inflated.
This widens the artery and restores blood flow without the need for open surgery.
Stent Placement
If necessary, a tiny metal mesh stent may be placed to help keep the artery open.
Many patients experience significant improvement in walking ability after treatment.
Atherectomy
In some cases, plaque can actually be removed from inside the artery using specialized devices.
This helps restore blood flow while preserving the artery.
Drug-Coated Balloon Therapy
Special balloons coated with medication help reduce the chance that the artery will narrow again after treatment.
This technology has become an important option for many PAD patients.
What Is Recovery Like?
One of the greatest advantages of minimally invasive vascular procedures is the rapid recovery.
Most patients can expect:
- Small puncture instead of large incision
- Minimal discomfort
- Little to no scarring
- Same-day discharge in many cases
- Walking within hours
- Return to normal activities within a few days
Recovery varies depending on the procedure performed and each patientâs overall health, but most patients are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they feel better.
When Should You Seek Medical Care?
Do not ignore leg pain that occurs while walking.
You should schedule an evaluation if you experience:
- Leg pain with walking that repeatedly improves with rest
- Pain that limits daily activities
- Foot wounds that wonât heal
- Cold or discolored feet
- Pain at rest
- Numbness or weakness
- Sudden worsening of circulation symptoms
Early diagnosis often means simpler treatment and better outcomes.
Why Choose Elite Vascular Care?
At Elite Vascular Care, we combine advanced technology with compassionate, personalized care.
Our experienced interventional radiology team performs minimally invasive vascular procedures in our comfortable outpatient office, allowing many patients to avoid hospitalization and lengthy recoveries.
We take time to understand your symptoms, explain every treatment option, and develop a personalized plan focused on helping you return to the activities you enjoy.
Our mission is simple:
Redefining Vascular Care on the Space Coastâone patient at a time.
Donât Ignore Leg Pain
Pain while walking is not something you should simply âlive with.â
Whether youâre unable to enjoy your daily walks, struggling to keep up with family, or finding everyday activities increasingly difficult, treatment options are available.
Early diagnosis can relieve symptoms, improve mobility, and help prevent serious complications.
If youâre experiencing leg pain while walking, schedule a consultation with Elite Vascular Care today and discover how modern, minimally invasive vascular treatment can help you get back on your feet.