Common Ways of Treating BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

BPH is a very common problem, especially with men who have crossed middle age so there are a number of treatment options open to you. Depending on the severity of the condition, either no treatment is required, or prostatectomy is performed to remove the prostate. 

The different BPH treatment can be divided into different levels and a short description is given below. 

Medical treatment

This is when the doctor will try to treat the condition using medication. This can range from antibiotics to reduce inflammation and remove infection to the use of alpha blockers that will help relax the muscles of the prostate relieving some of the symptoms. Sometimes prostatic stents are used where a spring loaded tube is inserted into the ureter and positioned right underneath the place where the prostate is constricting the ureter. 

This is however not very preferred because not only is it uncomfortable it can cause side effects like misalignment and difficulty in removing it at a later date. 

Minimally invasive treatment

This kind of treatment is followed when the condition is just bad enough to cause discomfort and pain to the person. It is basically heat treatment that is applied directly to the swollen area to burn off the excess tissue. This heat can be generated through lasers or through microwave, and is at the discretion of the operating surgeon. 

This system has minimal side effects and the person can resume normal duties within 24 to 48 hrs. They are however advised not to do any heavy lifting or straining to put strain on the prostate. 

Surgery

Surgery as BPH treatment is resorted to only as a last resort. When the prostatitis is so bad that it is impossible to treat any other way, the physician may recommend that surgery be performed. In this system a long probe with a coil of wire that can be heated is inserted into the ureter and is used to scrape off the excess tissue. 

In the worst case scenario where the prostate has swollen so much that there is danger of kidney damage prostatectomy may be performed where the prostate is surgically removed. This system has the longest recovery time with the person having to remain hospitalized for at least 3 days and not being able to resume normal duties for a month. In many cases erectile dysfunction may also develop which may take up to a year to cure.