Depending on the severity of your enlarged prostate or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) symptoms, there are number of treatment alternatives to consider. You and your doctor can work together to find the best solution for you.

Medications

In cases of mild enlarged prostate (BPH) symptoms, medications may provide relief for many men. Drugs are costly, must be taken regularly for the rest of your life, and may stop working over time. Side effects can include lowered sexual drive, erection problems, dizziness, low blood pressure and nasal congestion.

Surgery

Surgery (prostatectomy) may be recommended if your enlarged prostate (BPH) symptoms are severe or other treatment options haven't been successful for you. Enlarged prostate (BPH) surgeries remove large amounts of prostate tissue. They are performed in a hospital or surgical center and require general anesthesia. Surgery carries the risk of serious side effects, such as erection problems (erectile dysfunction) or impotence, and incontinence (the inability to control your bladder).

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most common enlarged prostate (BPH) surgery and can provide long-term relief. It requires a 2-3 day hospital stay and activities are restricted for about 6 weeks. Side effects can include erectile dysfunction, and bleeding.

Minimally Invasive Treatments

AMS is the leading innovator in developing minimally invasive treatment options for enlarged prostates (BPH). We help physicians cover the complete spectrum of solutions for patients suffering from an enlarged prostate (BPH), from mildly symptomatic to severely obstructed.

• Thermotherapy - Used for mild to moderate symptoms, this method uses heat to target and destroy the prostate tissue. Heat can be applied to the prostate using several different sources, including microwave energy, as with the TherMatrx® Office Thermo Therapy™ from AMS.
• Laser Therapy - Used for mild to severe symptoms, GreenLight™ Laser Therapy is a minimally invasive surgical treatment option that combines the effectiveness of TURP with fewer side effects.
• Urethral Stent - Used as a treatment for obstructed patients who are not candidates for surgery, the UroLume® Urethral Stent from AMS is a mesh tube that holds the urethra open at the point of obstruction. It is placed through the urethra in an outpatient procedure.