A man's prostate gland is situated below the bladder and wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body from the bladder. As a man ages, the prostate grows larger and sometime around the age of 50, problems can appear. This age-related enlargement of the prostate gland is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, and it leads to constriction of the urethra and gradual loss of bladder function. Symptoms of BPH, which include interrupted urine stream and frequent urge to urinate, may be treated with minimally invasive therapy, drugs or surgery.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate
Doctors believe that surgical removal of the enlarged portion of the prostate is the best long-term way to address the urinary flow symptoms of BPH. A procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate is the most commonly employed prostate surgery for BPH, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. In this procedure, which is done under a spinal or general anesthetic, a doctor inserts a resectoscope through the tip of the penis and sends it along the urethra until it reaches the prostate. The resectoscope has an electrical cutting wire that excises the prostate tissue that is constricting the urethra. As each small piece of tissue is removed, a stream of water from the resectoscope flushes it into the bladder. Since the transurethral surgical method for BPH does not involve an external incision, the patient can recover more quickly than would be possible with open surgery.
Transurethral Microwave Therapy
For patients with moderate symptoms of BPH, a minimally invasive procedure called transurethral microwave therapy may be an appropriate treatment, says the MayoClinic.com website. A doctor performs the procedure on an outpatient basis, and neither a general nor a spinal anesthesia is required. A local anesthetic and an intravenously administered sedative are used to control pain during the treatment. The doctor sends a small microwave antenna attached to a catheter through the urethra to the portion of the prostate that is hindering urine flow. Microwave energy emitted from the antenna then heats and destroys the excess prostate tissue. During the first few days after treatment, the patient will not be able to pass urine so a urinary catheter will be needed. For most patients, this procedure enhances the flow of urine, but it may take several weeks before the full benefit of the therapy becomes apparent.
Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Tamsulosin is an oral, prescription medication that can treat the symptoms of BPH, according to the Drugs.com website. It is in a class of drugs called alpha-blockers that relax the smooth muscle of the bladder and prostate, thereby allowing better flow of urine. Patients take tamsulosin once a day, 30 minutes after a meal. They should take it after the same meal each day. Patients should be aware that tamsulosin can cause a drop in blood pressure when standing up after sitting or lying down. This can lead to fainting or dizziness, and therefore it is advisable to stand up slowly. Other side effects may include abnormal ejaculation, back pain, diarrhea and weakness.
