Hyperplasia Vs. Hypertrophy
As you research prostatic enlargement you may come across two similar terms Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. Both can be shortened to BPH and the terms are of often used interchangeably by patients and clinicians alike. While both represent an increase in the size of the prostate, the two phrases do have slightly different meanings.
Urologix CEO Discusses Med Tech Growth in Plymouth, MN
Plymouth, Minnesota may be a small suburb of Minneapolis, but it packs a major punch in the Medical Technology industry. Almost a quarter century ago, Urologix was founded here and we have seen and participated in the immense influx of med tech companies and jobs over the years. Today, dozens of small and major medical device manufacturers call the Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis home.
Local Channel 12 recently interviewed Urologix CEO Greg Fluet about the ever growing med tech industry in the area. You can watch the interview below:
BPH Treatment Options are Not One Size Fits All
When the signs and symptoms of BPH start to affect a man’s life, there is the tendency to jump to conclusions, assume the worst and think surgery is the only option. Luckily, the breadth of BPH treatment options has expanded in the past several decades, with novel approaches available to patients at all stages of their prostatic enlargement. Urologists have expanded their treatment goals to not only alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but also slow the progression of the gland enlargement and prevent complications of further disease progression.
Enjoying the New Year – in Spite of BPH
The holidays are over and the New Year has begun. Now is the time many of us head south to enjoy some fun in the sun, or perhaps take to the slopes in a winter wonderland. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, may make it very difficult to enjoy outings and vacations that we look forward to this time of year. Those suffering from BPH are often petrified at the thought of not be able to enjoy time with friends and family because they will be constantly running to the bathroom throughout the afternoon or evening. While these are very valid concerns, there are some tips and tricks that you can employ to ensure that BPH does not get in the way of your fun.
Question of the Month
We received an excellent question from Stanley who asked: “I understand that the CTT procedure may cause a decrease in the outflow of seminal fluid during sex. Doesn’t that make sex less enjoyable ?”
Our Answer:
Loss of ejaculate has been observed in CTT patients, however such events were temporary or minor, requiring minimal or no medical intervention. You should talk with your Urologist about your concerns with this or any other therapy.
How Metabolic Syndrome Can Affect Prostatic Enlargement and BPH
With the significant rise in obesity and related heart disease and diabetes over the past several decades, clinicians have sought to properly describe the complexities of the problem. After all, there are many and varied factors that can cause heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is the phrase now being used to describe the suite of risks that increase the chances of experiencing these very dangerous conditions. Metabolic risk factors include high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol (HDL) and excess abdominal fat. Each of these risk factors alone or taken in tandem can significantly increase the risk for a heart-related event.
It’s Hot Out There! How to Stay Hydrated In Spite of Your BPH
During summer it is common to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. I live in South Texas so the heat gets above 95 in July and usually stays there for the next two months. When you suffer from prostate issues you may want to try to avoid water so you can, in turn, avoid bathroom breaks. That is a mistake because your body needs the water to stay hydrated and cool down. Further, you may not realize that your body generally sweats a lot of that extra water out anyway, so the usual problems you have may not happen more frequently despite the increased water intake. One way I help lessen the bathroom break problem when working or playing outdoors is to avoid caffeine and alcohol. When you drink just plain water the body is able to process it quickly and not waste time with the other things in soft drinks and beer.
Watchful Waiting…A Cop-Out?
Some patients visit their urologist after experiencing the symptoms of BPH for the first time only to be told that they should simply wait and see if the symptoms progress. Some may feel that waiting for symptoms to worsen is unacceptable, but in truth it is the most conservative of therapies and it is a legitimate treatment option.
Determining the Best Course of Action
As you discuss BPH treatment options with your urologist, you may find that there are several possible courses of action you can take, based on your unique medical history. It may be hard to choose between those treatments and looking up each option may make it more confusing. You’ll see average rates of effectiveness and retreatment. You’ll see percentages for side effects and risks. What you can’t see is how that affects you individually. After all, each of us is unique in how our bodies react to medical treatment. We may not experience any side-effects or it may seem that every single one on the list applies to us – we just don’t know.
Why did I choose Prostiva RF Therapy?
This is a great question and actually a very fair question when it comes to dealing with the issue of men’s health. I wanted to take a pill and be done with it too but pills don’t always work and even when they do it can take months to see the effects. I was already feeling old just having this problem so the thought of getting a prescription with 5 refills was not a positive one. I wanted the quick fix with no pain or effort on my part. I will be honest, this is not the quick cure-all procedure. There is still a length of time and effort that has to be endured to see some progress. I can say from my experience it was minimal effort/pain and the amount of time was weeks.
BPH and the Incidence Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction, also known as ED or impotence, is a serious concern for anyone who has experienced it, and the risks of developing chronic ED increase with age. Estimates from a recent publication suggest roughly 18 million men in the US are affected by erectile dysfunction1. Anecdotal evidence in the form of advertising for and sales of Erectile Dysfunction drugs shows how prevalent the issue is.
Can Testosterone Therapy Cause or Worsen BPH?
As men age, it is common to encounter both Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH, and low testosterone, known as hypogonadism. Either condition is often disruptive to a man’s life. In an ideal world, both problems would be treated quickly and completely. However, there are concerns over the relationship between testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and the development or worsening of BPH. Concerns center around the fact that testosterone is converted to by the body to dihydotestosterone (DHT), which in turn is known to stimulate an increase in prostate size. This has become an important topic of discussion as testosterone replacement therapy has increased in popularity in recent years.
Many studies have been conducted on this topic, however additional research is needed to understand the extent of the relationship between TRT and BPH. Some conclusions follow:
Getting Over the Fear of Your BPH Procedure
Many Patients are concerned about the procedure – any pain they might experience and the side effects that they may ultimately suffer. Learning more about the procedure may calm some of those fears. Please read about Brandon’s experience below:
Non-Symptomatic Enlarged Prostate or BPH
An enlarged prostate is virtually guaranteed in men as they age. Indeed, 90% of men over 80 have an enlarged prostate. However, this does not necessarily mean that treatment will be indicated or required. It’s a strange reality, but the symptoms of BPH do not necessarily correlate with the degree of prostatic enlargement – some men may have significant growth and few symptoms and vice versa. Ultimately, the treatment plan will largely rest on the degree of disruption to the patient’s life and the potential, if any of urinary retention or urethral blockage.
Treatment for Patients With Prior Prostate Surgery
We recently had a patient, who had prostate surgery 23 years ago and is once again experiencing BPH symptoms, ask if he is a candidate for an in-office procedure. Our reply:
No procedure for BPH or Enlarged Prostate can guarantee complete resolution of symptoms for life. As such, there are times when patients need to consider their options for re-treatment if or when the symptoms of BPH do eventually return.
The Anti-BPH Diet
Over the course of a man’s lifetime there is a very good chance that they will develop the symptoms of an enlarged prostate or BPH. These symptoms can disrupt daily life and include waking up to urinate at night (nocturia), urgency and frequency of urination, and retention of urine in the bladder—a constant feeling of needing to urinate. While we don’t know the cause of prostatic tissue enlargement, we do know that age is by far the greatest risk factor. There are, however, other lifestyle changes that men can implement in their lives to minimize the effects of BPH. Chief among these is losing excess weight through improved dietary choices.
Does It Hurt?
One of the most expressed concerns by patients considering an in-office BPH treatment is whether they will feel any pain during or after the procedure. After all, the prostate is located in a very sensitive area of the body. While most patients report feeling minimal discomfort or pain during treatment and for a few days afterward, every patient is different. The urologist performing the procedure will have oral pain medication and local anesthetic available to patients who are particularly sensitive. These anesthetics go a long way toward reducing the potential for pain. Further, because the in-office treatments we offer focus narrowly on the treatment area, surrounding tissue is less likely to be affected, thus reducing the chance of additional pain.
Prostiva’s Effects On Sex Life
“Has having the Prostiva procedure done had any lasting effects on your sex life, good or bad? How long did it take before you had significant real-life improvement?”
From Brandon
Great question!
It has had a huge impact on my sex life. Before the procedure I would feel uncomfortable before sex because I would need to empty my bladder right after I went to bed. When I would start to get intimate, I would sometimes feel the urge to go to the restroom again so that was something I had to consider. When you struggle with this issue it dictates so much of your life and sex is real high on the list. Now I never have to worry about it and there is no negative impact from the procedure.
As for “significant real-life improvement”, I would love to say the next day it was all rainbows and unicorns but it was probably about two weeks before I noticed any improvement. The problem was I had developed a habit of always going and so it took a while to realize the need was gone. The first long drive you don’t stop two times or even think about stopping is the big moment.
Brandon is a paid consultant for Urologix, Inc.
Anesthesia and Catheterization
For our latest “Ask the Patient” installment, we turn to a prospective patient that is concerned about the anesthesia process and subsequent catheterization with this question “When they are performing Prostiva, do they make it numb down there? Do you have to have a catheter put in and if so, for how long?”
Here’s Brandon’s Perspective
I think this is a really good question and one I didn’t have an answer to before the procedure. I really didn’t know what to expect other than the simple explanation the doctor gave me. To be honest I kind of zoned out when he told me what to expect.
For me, it was just like any minor procedure such as colonoscopy. I put on the gown that doesn’t close in the back and got an IV put in my arm. Then I was led to a room that had a chair with stirrups. Since I am a guy, this was a very strange position to be in considering my shoulders were more covered than my lower body. A nurse put a sheet between me and the work that would be performed and stuck a needle in the IV tube. A few seconds later I was out cold.* I was shaved and the whole procedure done without me feeling a thing.
I woke up later in a room with blankets over me. My wife and a nurse were by my side.
I personally did not get a catheter, but I know that is something men get if they can’t urinate after the procedure. They told me I had to urinate before I could leave and then pay close attention to it for the next 24-72 hours. As long as I didn’t have any problems emptying my bladder, then I wouldn’t need a catheter. I have had men tell me they had one for a day or two after but there is no way to know if you will or won’t until the procedure is done.
*Please note that the form of anesthesia employed is at the discretion of your urologist. Generally a local anesthetic or oral pain medication is administered to reduce any discomfort.
Brandon is a paid consultant for Urologix, Inc.
Urologix Featured on In View, Hosted By Larry King
Urologix was recently featured on the television series, In View, hosted by Larry King.
The segment follows Dean, a man suffering from BPH, and his wife, Julie, through their struggles with his enlarged prostate, how he found relief through an in-office procedure, and the quality of life improvements they have experienced since he had the procedure.
The show also features Dr. J. Randolf Beahrs from the Metro Urology Group in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Beahrs is an expert on In-Office Therapy, having treated numerous patients over the past fifteen years using both Cooled ThermoTherapy and Prostiva RF Therapy.
As Seen On In View Hosted By Larry King: