Treatments for an Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate or Benign-Prostate-Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition caused by a non-cancerous growth of the prostate such that this growth, blocks the passage of urine via the urethra. The pressure exerted by the large prostate over the urethra results for the need of increased pressure than normal for the bladder in order to expel urine through the narrow urethra. Over some time, the bladder muscles become stronger and more sensitive such that contractions are occur at a small volume of urine, which leads to frequent urination. After some time, the bladder muscles can no longer bare the pressure caused by the narrowed urethra and this results in the partial emptying of the bladder. The unfinished emptying of the bladder exposes one to the risk of contacting urinary tract infections (Shier et al, 2012).
The 5-Alpha-Reductase inhibitor minimizes the size of the prostate by a small margin in a patient. The inhibitor works by diminishing the level of the Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone. The DHT hormone is encourages in prostate growth. The 5-Alpha-Reductase inhibitor drugs take a longer time to relieve the symptoms as compared to the Alpha-blockers. These drugs can also reduce urine retention in the bladder as well as the necessity of a prostate surgery (Shier et al, 2012).
Alpha-blockers calm down the muscles of the prostate and the muscles of the bladder, after which urine flows through the urethra with ease. The Alfa-blockers reduce the size of the large prostate (Shier et al, 2012).
The Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT) reduces the frequency and urgency of urinating but does not handle the problem of bladder emptying. This treatment involves the heating of some parts of the prostate using computer controlled microwaves, in order to kill specific tissue. The patient may experience painful urination for several weeks after the procedure (Shier et al, 2012).
The Transurethral Radio Frequency Needle Ablation (TUNA) treatment, involves heating and killing select tissue with high frequency radio waves, via needles insertion into the prostate. This treatment eases the passage of urine (Shier et al, 2012).
Prostatic Stents are also an option for treating an enlarged prostate, which involves the insertion of a coiled metal called a Stent into the urethra, in order to widen it and to keep it open. This in turn improves the passage of urine. There is a high possibility that the Stents might not relieve the symptoms and may lead to further complications if the Stent changes position in the urethra. Stents are also expensive and difficult to remove (Shier et al, 2012).
There are various surgical procedures that are used in treating an enlarged prostate such as the Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) whereby, the enlarged tissue that is pressing against the urethra is removed. This eases the passage of urine. A patient may experience retrograde ejaculation and erection problems as side effects. Retrograde ejaculation involves the passage semen into the bladder during ejaculation (Shier et al, 2012).
Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP) is another surgical procedure that involves making incisions on the prostate as opposed to TURP whereby the enlarged tissue is removed. The procedure eases the passage of urine. TUIP has a slower relief rate than TURP while retrograde ejaculation is less common in TUIP as compared to TURP (Shier et al, 2012).
The Laser surgical procedure uses laser energy to annihilate the enlarged prostate tissue. This procedure eases the passage of urine, but painful urination is experienced for a few weeks. The patient may experience retrograde ejaculation as a side effect (Shier et al, 2012).
A different surgical procedure is the open prostate surgery also referred to as Prostatectomy. Prostatectomy is an option incase a transurethral operation cannot be done. Prostatectomy involves a cut in the abdomen in order to access and remove prostate tissue. This procedure is an option incase the bladder has a problem, if there are bladder stones or of the Prostate is significantly enlarged. The side effects include retrograde ejaculation and erection problems (Shier et al, 2012).
Shier, D., Butler, J., & Lewis, R. (2012). Hole's human anatomy and physiology. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
