UroLift

UroLift is a minimally invasive treatment for patients experiencing symptoms of BPH. The benefits of UroLift include:

• Rapid symptom relief
• Preservation of sexual function
• Quick return to normal activity
• Improved quality of life
• No change to ejaculatory function

The procedure is available to most men experiencing urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate. To accurately determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for UroLift, the physician will perform a thorough examination and evaluation. This process may involve a physical exam, a medical history review, and blood, and urine tests to check for related urinary tract infections.

The patient may also undergo image testing, such as a prostate ultrasound and/or cystoscopy, to rule out other possible structural problems and measure the size of the prostate. UroLift is ideal for patients with prostate sizes under 80 grams and no median lobes. Even men who are not perfect candidates for UroLift may experience some symptom improvement after UroLift.

UroLift can be an appealing alternative to more invasive treatment options, such as a prostatectomy. If the treatment is effective, patients may stop taking medications to manage their prostate condition, which could help eliminate the side effects sometimes experienced with the long-term use of BPH-related drugs. Patients opting for UroLift treatment may also enjoy the following benefits:

• Minimal downtime after the treatment
• Fairly reliable and consistent results
• No disruption to sexual functions
• No need for catheter use after implants are inserted

UroLift is generally safe and effective for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. If patients don’t experience sufficient improvement in BPH symptoms after the procedure, the urologist may suggest removing tissue, removal of all or part of the prostate, treatments using steam therapy, electrocautery devices, laser therapy, or techniques like embolization that may reduce the size of the prostate gland.

The doctor will begin the procedure by placing small, permanent implants into the prostate to lift and hold the enlarged tissue out of the way. This will relieve pressure on the urethra and allow urine to flow freely. Treatment does not require any cutting, heating, or removal of prostate tissue, which means the procedure is minimally invasive and requires less downtime for patients.

Patients may experience improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms as early as two weeks after UroLift.

The treatment preserves sexual function in patients. This is a considerable benefit of UroLift treatment compared with other BPH therapies such as laser, TURP, and even medication.

After the procedure, patients will require minimal downtime and may experience symptom relief in as little as two weeks. In most cases, patients won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight and won’t need to use a catheter. However, they may experience urinary discomfort during the recovery period.