It crep up on me over a 3 or 4 year period. It was like one day, what the hell, I'm up 5 times a night, every night. Funny what you can adjust to over time and just accept it...until it becomes unacceptable.
For a couple of years I had worsening issues with urgency, occasional pain and getting up 2-3 times at night and finally decided to do something about it. Earlier this year I studied a half dozen different treatments and decided to have the Prostate Artery Embolization procedure performed and it was life-changing... within 2 weeks after the procedure almost all my symptoms disappeared. I still occasionally get up once during the night, but urgency and pain are gone and no sexual side effects... not sure what the long term outcome will be but so far, so good. ------------- Prostate Embolization Procedure PAE is a non-surgical treatment for benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). It involves blocking the arteries supplying the prostate gland to reduce its size and alleviate symptoms. How the Procedure Works Access: A small incision is made in the upper thigh, and a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery. Guidance: X-ray imaging and fluoroscopy guide the catheter to the prostate arteries. Embolization: Small particles (embolic agents) are injected through the catheter to block the arteries, reducing blood flow to the prostate gland. Procedure Duration: Typically takes 1-2 hours. Benefits Minimally invasive with low risk of complications Excellent tolerance profile, with minimal urinary and sexual side effects Effective in reducing prostate size and alleviating LUTS Can be performed as an outpatient procedure What to Expect Mild discomfort or bruising at the access site Temporary urinary frequency or urgency Relief from LUTS and improved urinary flow within a few months Important Considerations PAE is not suitable for patients with severe kidney disease or those taking anticoagulant medications Patients should discuss their medical history, medications, and expectations with their doctor before undergoing PAE Long-term Results Studies have shown sustained improvement in urinary symptoms and flowmetric parameters up to 6 years post-procedure Patient satisfaction rates have been high, with many reporting a significant reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life.