Here are the Risks You Face if You Don't Treat BPH

If you have an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) you might be exploring treatment options. With this condition, you may experience mild to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that can only be relieved with medical intervention or lifestyle modifications. But how much relief can either option provide? And are there health risks you'll face if you don't treat BPH? Here's what you need to know!

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

This is a non-cancerous condition characterized by growth of the prostate gland. The enlarged prostate tissue then presses on the urethra, sometimes making it hard to urinate, or making you need to urinate frequently and urgently in other instances.

What other BPH symptoms will you face if you don't treat BPH? Many men notice that the flow of their urine is weak. Others have to wake up all night to pee. And, without treatment, many men face difficulties stopping or starting the flow of urine, along with more frequent urinary tract infections.

Is it Risky if You Don't Treat BPH?

Johns Hopkins University experts warn that avoiding or delaying BPH treatment could lead to bladder thickening; infections; bladder stones; kidney damage; or extensive urinary tract damage. Clearly, avoiding treatment for an enlarged prostate can lead to serious complications. Yet, each year, many men do exactly that. Why is that the case?

Here's the deal. Older treatments for BPH were highly invasive, and often left men dealing with sexual side effects, urinary leakage, and other unpleasant complications. But thanks to medical advancements, you can now treat BPH with Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE). This is a minimally invasive procedure offered at the Georgia Prostate Institute. By blocking blood flow to the prostatic artery, it shrinks the enlarged gland to provide surgery-free symptom relief.

Do you want to learn more about PAE and see if you're a good candidate for this minimally invasive procedure? Click here to request an appointment at the Georgia Prostate Institute. When you come in, we'll help you find relief from BPH without surgery or overnight hospital stays!