prostate enlargement (bph) treatment

UroLift Melbourne

Are you experiencing bothersome urinary symptoms like a slow urinary stream, urinary frequency, or pelvic discomfort?

If you are, you might be wondering about alternatives to invasive surgery for an enlarged prostate.

At Restore Urology in Melbourne, one of the treatments we offer is the UroLift System. This is a new minimally invasive treatment that is designed to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) without the side effects often associated with more traditional methods.

What is the UroLift System?

At Restore Urology, we understand that living with the symptoms of BPH can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience.

The UroLift System is a minimally invasive treatment that helps men suffering from prostate enlargement.

It does this by lifting and holding the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way, which opens up the prostatic urethra. Doing this relieves obstruction without cutting, heating, or removing tissue.

Unlike older methods that involve more invasive procedures, this treatment offers a way to reduce bothersome symptoms like difficulty passing urine and micturition urgency without impacting sexual function.

It’s an exciting option for men who want to avoid erectile issues, ejaculatory dysfunction, or other complications associated with more aggressive treatments.

UroLift Procedure—Step by Step

The UroLift procedure is usually performed as day surgery under light general anaesthetic.

Preparation

When you come to our clinic, we will ensure you’re comfortable and ready for the medical procedure.

Placement

Using a small device, your urologist inserts tiny implants through the urethra. These implants hold back the enlarged tissue to create a clear path for urine to flow.

Completion

Once the prostatic urethra is unobstructed, the device is removed, leaving only the implants behind.

Recovery

Most men go home the same day and return to normal activities within a few days.

Throughout the entire system treatment, there is no cutting, heating, or removal of prostate tissue. Therefore, many men favour it due to its minimally invasive approach.

Advantages of the UroLift System

There are many reasons why men choose UroLift over traditional methods. They can be summarised below:

Minimally invasive: No cutting or burning of tissue
Rapid symptom relief: Many patients notice improvement in factors causing bothersome urinary symptoms within two weeks
Preservation of sexual function: Lower risk of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction
Quick recovery: Men can return to their daily lives faster
Reduced risk of urinary tract infection or pelvic pain compared to some other treatments

The prostate enlarges naturally as men age. So, treating BPH symptoms early with a minimally invasive treatment like UroLift can significantly improve quality of life without the drawbacks of more invasive surgery.

What to Expect After UroLift Surgery

After the UroLift System treatment, you may experience some mild side effects. These might include slight discomfort while passing urine, increased urinary frequency, or minor bleeding. However, they usually resolve within a few days.

Most men find they can resume normal activities very quickly. It is worth noting that serious complications like urinary tract infection are rare because the UroLift System avoids damaging tissue.

Therefore, the risks of long-term issues like sexual dysfunction are much lower compared to other treatments.

Am I Suitable for UroLift Treatment?

The UroLift System is ideal for men who:

- Have an enlarged prostate that is causing bothersome urinary issues
- Want to avoid the risks of intrusive surgery
- Prefer to preserve sexual function
- Are not suitable candidates for more penetrative surgery like holmium laser enucleation or TURP

However, it may not be appropriate if you have prostate cancer, a very large prostate, or other complicating factors.

For this reason, a thorough consultation with your urologist is advisable. This should include a prostate exam and urinary tests, which will help determine if this form of treating BPH is right for you.

UroLift vs. Other Enlarged Prostate Treatments

When considering treatment options for BPH symptoms, it’s important to compare the UroLift System to other available therapies.

UroLift vs. TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)

TURP has been the gold standard for relieving obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate.

However, it involves cutting and removal of prostate tissue, which can lead to longer recovery times and higher risks of ejaculatory dysfunction.

The UroLift System, by contrast, is less invasive a treatment and therefore offers faster recovery times while usually preserving sexual function.

UroLift vs. Rezūm (Water Vapor Therapy)

Rezūm therapy uses steam to destroy prostate tissue, which can cause swelling and irritation during healing. This may result in patients requiring catheterisation post-procedure.

The UroLift procedure offers a simpler, cleaner solution, often without the need for a catheter. It also typically involves less post-operative swelling or pelvic pain.

UroLift vs. Medication for BPH

Medical therapy using alpha blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can help ease bothersome urinary symptoms. However, medications often need to be taken for an indefinite period and can cause side effects like erectile dysfunction, light headedness, ejaculation issues, and fatigue.

UroLift, on the other hand, provides a less invasive and long-lasting alternative without the need for daily medication. This helps many men return to a normal life free from constant symptom management.

FAQs About UroLift

Will it be painful?

Patients can expect to experience no discomfort during the procedure and can generally return to normal activities within a few days. The most common side effects of Urolift include pain or discomfort during urination, blood in the urine and urgency to urinate. These side effects are usually temporary and resolve within a few days to a few weeks.

What is the recovery time?

The recovery time for Urolift is much shorter than traditional surgical procedures for BPH, and patients can typically return to work and other normal activities within a few days. Most patients experience significant improvement in their urinary symptoms within a few weeks of the procedure.

Why choose UroLift?

Patients may choose Urolift over other BPH treatments because it is minimally invasive and has fewer risks and complications. Often with other prostate treatments, whilst men can still achieve an orgasm, the ejaculate may not be produced. This is known as retrograde ejaculation. UroLift tends not to affect the ejaculation process, so is ideal for men who are keen to preserve their ejaculatory function. The recovery time is shorter than traditional surgical procedures and Urolift has shown effectiveness in reducing urinary symptoms related to BPH in clinical studies and for many of our patients.

What are the other treatment options?

Rezum Steam Therapy:
This is a newer procedure that uses the natural energy of steam to shrink excess prostate tissue. It involves injecting sterile water vapor into the prostate, which causes the cells to die off and the tissue to shrink. Rezum is also minimally invasive and can be performed in an outpatient setting.
Read more

TURP:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure that involves removing excess prostate tissue that is blocking the urethra. The procedure is performed using a special tool that is inserted through the urethra, and may require a brief hospital stay.
Read more

GreenLight Laser Therapy
This is another minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser to remove excess prostate tissue. The laser is delivered through a small fiber that is inserted into the urethra, which vapourises the tissue and opens up the urethra. GreenLight Laser therapy is often performed on an outpatient basis and typically has a short recovery time.

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Talk to One of Our Urological Surgeons

Our team of experienced urologists are highly skilled with the UroLift procedure, so you can trust you will receive the highest level of care and attention throughout the process.