Enlarged Prostate / Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated by Urology Doctors in Baltimore
At The Urology Specialists of Maryland at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, our doctors treat a broad spectrum of urologic disorders including enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that is common in older men.
The prostate gland is wrapped around the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. If the prostate becomes enlarged (benign prostatic hyperplasia - BPH), it can block the urethra and cause:
- Difficulty starting or stopping a urine stream
- A weak urine stream
- The urge to urinate or the feeling that your bladder is not completely empty after you urinate
A physical exam that includes a full medical history is the first step in diagnosing the cause of an enlarged prostate. Your doctor may also request urine test, blood tests and conduct a digital rectal exam, allowing the doctor to feel the size of the prostate. A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test may also be ordered to evaluate the possibility of prostate cancer.
An enlarged prostate is a naturally-occurring condition in aging men. There are some simple practices that can help reduce or control symptoms:
- Urinating twice, relaxing in-between
- Avoiding liquids like caffeine and alcohol
- Avoiding medicines that affect urination or make it difficult
An enlarged prostate can also be treated with prescriptions. If symptoms are severe, including the inability to urinate, frequent urinary tract infections or frequent bladder stones, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat the enlarged prostate. Types of surgery for an enlarged prostate include the following:
- UroLift - A minimally invasive solution that reduces the obstruction without removing any prostate tissue
- Rezum Needle Ablation - A minimally invasive treatment that uses thermal energy to remove tissue and create more space in the urethra
- Transurethral Vaporization - The use of a roller electrode or laser to heat and vaporize obstructing tissue to relieve symptoms
- Prostatectomy - The surgical removal of an enlarged prostate