Comprehensive Care for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Enlargement of the prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, is the most common prostate problem in men over 50. When the prostate enlarges—as in many older men—it presses against the urethra and causes the bladder wall to thicken. As time passes, the bladder may become weak, and you may be unable to empty it completely.
You may be frustrated by frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate, uncomfortable because you are not fully emptying your bladder, and tired from having to urinate at night. The urologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens understand how disruptive BPH can be. Our team performs a full assessment of your symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis and tailor a plan of care to treat your BPH and help you feel better.
Diagnosing BPH
Other conditions may mimic the symptoms of enlarged prostate. To see what is causing your discomfort, we will perform a physical exam and run a series of tests. These include:
- A urine test to see if there is an infection
- Uroflow testing to evaluate the strength of your urine flow
- Blood tests for PSA to check for prostate cancer and creatinine to check kidney function
- Urodynamic testing to assess the pressure in your bladder, the capacity of your bladder, the function of the bladder muscle, and the flow of urine
- Cystoscopy using a flexible scope to see inside your urethra and bladder and assess the size of your prostate
- Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of the prostate uses a slim ultrasound transducer introduced into your rectum to see the prostate gland and surrounding tissues. High-frequency sound waves generate an image of the prostate gland on a monitor.
BPH Treatment
Your doctor will personalize your BPH treatment based on the results of your tests and your personal preferences.
Changing your lifestyle
Certain foods and liquids act as diuretics and may make you urinate more frequently. Sometimes limiting alcohol and caffeine can help you urinate less often. Your doctor may advise you to make dietary changes and modify how much fluid you consume.
Medications for enlarged prostate
There are many drugs available to treat BPH.
- “Alpha blockers,” such as Flomax, Uroxatral, Rapaflo, Cardura, or Hytrin—enhance the flow of urine and relieve symptoms by relaxing the muscle around the prostate and neck of the bladder.
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), such as Proscar or Avodart, shrink the prostate by blocking the conversion of the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in prostate cells. Sometimes 5ARIs are used in combination with alpha-blockers for more effectiveness.
- Anticholinergic drugs may relieve symptoms by inhibiting contractions of the bladder.
Minimally invasive treatments for enlarged prostate
Other therapies may be needed when nonsurgical treatments are not effective enough to reduce BPH symptoms. The urologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens offer:
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Considered the gold standard for BPH surgery, the urologist inserts a device into the urethra and up to the prostate to cut the gland into small pieces and remove them. TURP may be performed using different types of electrosurgical or laser energy.
- Urolift. The surgeon places tiny implants to pull and hold the prostate lobes apart, relieving pressure on the urethra and allowing urine to flow normally again. This can be done as an office or outpatient surgery procedure.
- Robotic simple prostatectomy. Very large prostate glands that cannot be successfully treated with other approaches may be removed using a roboticsurgical procedure.
- Laser treatment. Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP or “GreenLight” laser) and holmium laser treatment vaporize prostate tissue and relieve symptoms. Laser treatment is an option for prostates of most shapes and sizes.
- Thermal vaporization treatment (Rezum). Our urologists offer the Rezum procedure, which uses radiofrequency energy and thermal energy from steam to treat excess prostate tissue. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis and only takes a few minutes.
Why Choose Us
If BPH is spoiling your quality of life, we understand. The urology team at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens has exceptional experience relieving enlarged prostate symptoms using the latest treatments and technologies. You can receive all the care you need through one medical center, close to your home. Since we are part of NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the country's largest medical centers, you'll also have access to specialists from all areas available to provide comprehensive care. There’s no reason to suffer any longer from an enlarged prostate. Call us today so you can start feeling better soon.