Prostrate Artery Embolization vs. Traditional BPH Treatment: Which is better?
- 28 Apr 2023
- #medanta
- #Medanta Blogs
As men age, they become more susceptible to developing an enlarged prostate, known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). BPH affects up to 90% of men over 70, and it's estimated that this condition impacts more than 40 million men in the United States alone.
While traditional treatment options such as medication and surgery have been available for decades, a newer alternative called Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) has recently gained popularity. This article will explore the differences between prostate artery embolization and traditional BPH treatments.
A minimally invasive technique called Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is used to treat the signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
Traditional BPH treatments include:
While these treatments have been effective for many men, they also carry potential risks and complications, including sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and bleeding. Discussing the risks and benefits of each traditional treatment option with a urologist or other qualified medical professional is important.
Treatment Options | Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) | Traditional BPH Treatments |
Procedure Type | Prostate Artery Embolization usually involves minimally invasive procedures with lower risks of complications. | BPH treatment involves minimal invasion along with medication, procedures and surgery. |
Anesthesia required | For prostate embolization can be performed with local anaesthesia. | BPH treatments are generally performed with General Anesthesia |
Recovery Time | Patients treated with PAE require a short recovery time. | BPH Treatment takes a long time for a patient to recover. |
Pain and Discomfort | Pain and discomfort in Prostate Artery Embolization (procedures are less. | This procedure causes more pain and discomfort. |
Effectiveness | The overall lifestyle improvement is much better with this treatment option. | The lifestyle improvement varies by treatment option. |
Sexual Dysfunction | Sexual dysfunction is lesser in terms of PAE treatment. | Sexual dysfunction is observed more often in BPH treatment |
Incontinence | Incontinence is lesser in the Prostate Artery Embolization procedure. | There is more incontinence in this procedure. |
Bleeding | There is less blood loss in PAE. There is | more blood loss in BPH treatment. |
Potential Side Effects | This treatment option has minimal side effects, such as urinary tract infections and difficulty urinating blood in the urine. | There are side effects observed with this treatment option, such as sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and bleeding. |
Cost | The cost of the Embolization treatment is comparatively lower. | The cost of BPH treatment options varies by treatment type. |
There are a few key things to consider when choosing between Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) and conventional BPH therapies, which include:
Traditional BPH therapies and prostate artery embolization (PAE) have specific benefits. While conventional therapies have been the norm for a long time and have been successful for many people, PAE provides a minimally invasive alternative that may produce comparable or superior results for certain patients. To determine the appropriate course of treatment based on each patient's unique health history, symptoms, and preferences, patients should visit the Vascular department and talk with a trained Vascular Endovascular Specialist DR ABCD.
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