The UroLift® System for Enlarged Prostates
The only leading BPH treatment option that avoids ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction.
WHAT IS BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, is a common condition that affects over 40 million Americans and over 500 million aging men worldwide. While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life.
As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms such as:
- Frequent need to urinate, during the day and night
- Weak or slow urinary stream
- A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
- Difficulty or delay in starting urination
- Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
- A urinary stream that stops and starts
If you suffer from the above symptoms, you are not alone. BPH is the leading reason men visit a urologist.
What is the UroLift System?
The UroLift System uses a minimally invasive approach to provide rapid, long-term relief from BPH symptoms. It is a treatment option that can be used early in the disease progression to help men get off BPH medications and avoid major surgery later on. The goal of the UroLift System is to relieve symptoms so you can get back to your life and resume your daily activities.
The UroLift System has demonstrated a significant improvement in quality of life for patients compared to medications. The UroLift System is the only BPH procedure shown not to cause new and lasting erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, while being a safe and effective treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH.
How Does The UroLift System Work?
The UroLift System uses a revolutionary approach to treating BPH that lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue so it no longer blocks the urethra. It is the only available BPH treatment performed by a urologist that does not require heating, cutting or removal of the prostate tissue. The procedure is typically performed using local anesthesia in our outpatient surgery center, Surgery Nevada. Patients typically return home the same day without a catheter.
Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate can narrow or even block the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms.
Step 1
The UroLift System delivery device is placed through the obstructed urethra to access the enlarged prostate.
Step 2
Tiny UroLift System implants are permanently placed to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way and increase the opening of the urethra.
Step 3
The UroLift System treatment provides fast and reliable symptom relief by opening the obstructed urethra.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be a good candidate if you are a male, 45 years of age or older, and have symptoms relating to BPH. Speak with your urologist to see if the UroLift System is right for you. If you have a known allergy to nickel, titanium or stainless steel, talk to your doctor about your allergy before having the UroLift System procedure.
If you and your doctor decide that the UroLift System is right for you, your doctor will provide you with more detailed information. The UroLift System is a minimally invasive treatment that entails minimal downtime. Your doctor will use the UroLift System delivery device to deploy permanent implants to relieve obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate. The procedure, which usually takes less than an hour, may be performed under local or general anesthesia, and you may be given medication to feel comfortable during the treatment. This can help minimize discomfort during the procedure. Typically, no catheter and no overnight stay is required post-treatment.
After the treatment, patients typically go home the same day without a catheter. There is minimal downtime post-treatment and many patients experience symptom relief in as early as two weeks. Patients may experience some urinary discomfort during the recovery period. Most common side effects are mild to moderate and include: pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, urgent need to urinate and/or an inability to control the urge. Most symptoms resolve within two to four weeks after the procedure.
Clinical studies have shown the UroLift System procedure does not cause new, sustained instances of erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction. The same cannot always be said of other BPH therapies such as transurethral resection of the prostate, laser surgery and medication.
Treatment with the UroLift System is covered by Medicare and many private insurers. Contact your insurance provider or the Urology Nevada billing office to clarify your specific coverage information.
Clinical studies have shown that the benefits of the UroLift System procedure can last five years. However, the longevity of the results vary from person to person, and additional treatments may be necessary in some cases. Regular follow-up appointments with a urologist can help monitor your progress and ensure continued relief from BPH symptoms.
An enlarged prostate cannot be cured, as it is a natural part of the aging process in most men. However, there are various treatment options available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. While the UroLift System does not cure BPH, it can effectively alleviate symptoms with a quick recovery time and minimal side effects.
Talking to Your Doctor about BPH
BPH is a very common condition and is one of the leading reasons men visit Urology Nevada. Whether you have just started experiencing symptoms, or if you’ve tried various medications or even surgery, there are a range of treatment options available.
Before you visit Urology Nevada, you can take the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire to measure the severity of your BPH symptoms, but your Urology Nevada care team will need to diagnose your BPH. We will discuss your symptoms together to decide which treatment option is best for you.