BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is the more technical term for an enlarged prostate. While it's a common condition among aging men, it's essential to understand that it's not cancerous and doesn't lead to prostate cancer. This article will delve into the causes, risk factors, warning signs, and treatment options offered by Boise Urologist, Dr. Austen Slade, for BPH - including how to stop medications completely.

What is the Main Cause of BPH?

BPH has multiple contributing factors, making it challenging to pinpoint a specific cause for each individual. Factors such as age, genetics, and hormone levels, including testosterone, play significant roles in prostate growth. It's important to note that experiencing symptoms due to an enlarged prostate is common among men but doesn't have to be considered a normal part of aging.

Who is Most at Risk For BPH?

Several groups are more at risk for developing BPH:

  • Men over the age of 50

  • Men whose fathers had BPH

  • Men who are overweight or obese

  • Men with low daily activity levels

  • Men with erectile dysfunction (ED)

man uncomfortable from BPH

What Are the 14 Warning Signs of Prostate Enlargement?

Recognizing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention. Some common warning signs include:

    • Weak urine stream
    • Nocturia (waking up to pee more than two times per night)
    • Increased urination frequency
    • Urination urgency
    • Delayed start to urination
    • Incontinence (small leakage of urine)
    • Incomplete urination
    • Urination intermittency
    • Straining while urinating
    • Dribbling after urination
    • Pain during urination
    • Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
    • Inability to urinate
    • Blood in urine
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What is the Main Treatment for BPH?

Various treatment options are available for managing BPH. Your physician may recommend medications or possibly invasive surgical procedures to alleviate symptoms. However, some medications can have undesirable side effects, including sexual performance issues affecting ejaculation or cause erectile dysfunction (ED), and may be associated with other health conditions like heart failure, dementia, or diabetes.

Several revolutionary procedural treatments can improve the quality of life with minimal side effects for those who prefer to avoid medications, post-op catheters, or trauma to the urethra. 

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Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP)

HoLEP is a highly effective procedure for treating BPH without long-term medication or repeated surgeries*. Dr. Austen Slade, a renowned Boise urologist, offers the HoLEP procedure with the state of the art Moses Laser using the smallest and most minimally invasive tools available in the United States. In fact he was the first and currently only urologist to utilize the 21 French instruments, a significant reduction in size compared to the standard 28 French instruments. This approach minimizes trauma to the urethra and has been shown to reduce risk of urinary incontinence.  

For most patients the urinary catheter is able to be removed the same day of surgery, further minimizing discomfort after the procedure and allowing the recovery process in the days after to be more enjoyable compared to traditional procedures.

HoLEP stands out for its exceptional value. For 98% of patients, it eliminates the need for additional surgeries or procedures for up to 20 years, providing long-lasting relief compared to alternatives like UroLift, which has a 12% rate of patients requiring other surgeries in as little as two years. Furthermore, HoLEP procedures are universally covered by insurance, making it a cost-effective choice for many.

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Additional Treatment Options for BPH

Options such as ReZum Water Vapor Therapy, Optilume BPH, or iTind may be suitable, depending on prostate size and the balance between symptom relief desired and avoidance specific side effects such as retrograde ejaculation. Dr. Slade has specifically curated a selection of treatment options allowing prioritizing of efficacy, durability, patient comfort, side effects and recovery.

Contact Boise Urologist Dr. Slade for BPH Treatment Now!

Dr. Austen Slade, the only Endo-urologist fellowship-trained surgeon in Idaho, offers state-of-the-art BPH treatments. Trained under renowned urological expert James Lingaman, Dr. Slade is dedicated to providing the best care possible.

If you're experiencing BPH symptoms or seeking effective treatment options, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Slade to schedule an appointment. Take the first step toward improving your quality of life and addressing the challenges posed by BPH.

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