Causes
How We Can Help You for an Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, can compromise your quality of life. You may make frequent trips to the bathroom and get less restful sleep as a result. In severe cases, an untreated enlarged prostate can lead to bladder infections, inability to urinate (acute urinary retention), and kidney failure.
At Stanford Health Care, our urologists have state-of-the art diagnostic equipment to help you identify the best treatment for your specific symptoms. We are internationally known for managing complex urologic conditions using the newest and most efficacious surgical and minimally invasive techniques. Our team of urologists and interventional radiologists collaborate to develop a plan that’s right for your symptoms, situation, and needs. With a focus on the most conservative approach, we strive to help you reduce symptoms and improve your overall health and quality of life.
What We Offer You For An Enlarged Prostate
- Nationally recognized expertise in diagnosing and treating mildly to severely enlarged prostate to reduce or eliminate side effects, such as erectile dysfunction.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together specialists from urology and interventional radiology who tailor care to your needs.
- Advanced treatment options, including state-of-the-art, minimally invasive options that use robotic assistance (Aquablation®), lasers, electroresection, and water vapor (RezumTM) treatment. Go to Treatments
- Active research program that studies breakthrough technologies to treat an enlarged prostate with minimal side effects. Go to Clinical Trials
At Stanford Health Care, we offer a broad range of innovative treatments to reduce enlarged prostate symptoms. Our specialists understand that an enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable and may affect all areas of your life. We strive to bring you lasting relief and boost your health with the fewest side effects. Through our advances and tailored treatments, our specialists aim to give you a greater quality of life.
Personalized plans
We recognize that every person has different needs and circumstances. Our specialists create customized treatment plans for each individual. To design the most effective care plan for you, we consider several key factors, including your:
- Age
- Bladder function
- Overall health
- Prostate size and shape
- Urinary symptoms
Our doctors may recommend one or a combination of these treatments:
Medication
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Surgery
To reduce symptoms, your urologist may prescribe one of the following medications:
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor to shrink the prostate by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone made from testosterone that may build up in the prostate, causing it to grow
- Alpha-adrenergic blocker to relax prostate and bladder muscles to make it easier to urinate
- Beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist to relax the muscles around your bladder so it can hold more urine
Sometimes, surgery is your best option to relieve enlarged prostate symptoms. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive procedures. With these procedures, most patients generally go home the same day or the next day. You also have a faster recovery, with little scarring and less discomfort.
Robotic prostatectomy
During a robotic prostatectomy, urologists remove part of the prostate during a minimally invasive procedure. The robotic tools enable surgeons to use tiny tools and incisions. Urologists may recommend this procedure for men with significantly larger prostates.
Aquablation® therapy
This innovative, minimally invasive procedure uses high-powered water jets to remove only the parts of prostate tissue that cause symptoms. Urologists can perform Aquablation therapy on prostates of any size and shape.
Aquablation therapy uses robotic assistance without any incisions or heat. Instead, the surgeon accesses the prostate through the urethra (tube that carries urine). This highly precise procedure minimizes the risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects.
Prostate laser surgery
Prostate laser surgery uses energy to reduce or remove extra prostate tissue that blocks urine flow. We perform all types of prostate laser surgery, including:
- Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP): This option for a severely enlarged prostate uses a laser and another instrument to divide excess tissue into smaller pieces for easier removal.
- Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP): To treat a mildly to a moderately enlarged prostate, a laser is used to melt away excess tissue.
Prostatic artery embolization (PAE)
We are one of the first programs in the U.S. to offer prostatic artery embolization. During this outpatient procedure, interventional radiologists make a tiny incision in the wrist or groin. Specialists then insert a small tube through the artery to the prostate. The tube contains synthetic particles that reduce the prostate’s blood supply. Within about a month, the prostate shrinks, relieving symptoms.
Prostatic urethral lift
Urologists typically perform this outpatient procedure to treat mild to moderate enlarged prostate symptoms or when surgery isn’t an option. Your doctor uses tiny stainless steel implants to lift the prostate tissue away from the urethra so it doesn’t block urine flow.
Rezum™ Water Vapor Therapy
This newer treatment uses water vapor, or steam, to destroy excess prostate tissue that blocks the flow of urine. During water vapor therapy, specialists insert a thin needle through the urethra into the prostate gland. The needle produces steam that eliminates unneeded tissue. Over time, your body absorbs the treated tissue, shrinking the prostate. Steam-based treatment reduces the effects on surrounding tissue, preserving sexual and urinary functions.
If you have moderate to severe urinary symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. Our surgeons have many years of experience performing open procedures, such as:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
TURP involves removing a section of the prostate. During this procedure, your surgeon inserts a thin metal tube (resectoscope) into the tip of your penis, through your urethra, and into the prostate. Using the resectoscope, your surgeon removes small pieces of prostate tissue, a little at a time.
To reduce symptoms, your urologist may prescribe one of the following medications:
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor to shrink the prostate by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone made from testosterone that may build up in the prostate, causing it to grow
- Alpha-adrenergic blocker to relax prostate and bladder muscles to make it easier to urinate
- Beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist to relax the muscles around your bladder so it can hold more urine
close Medication
Sometimes, surgery is your best option to relieve enlarged prostate symptoms. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive procedures. With these procedures, most patients generally go home the same day or the next day. You also have a faster recovery, with little scarring and less discomfort.
Robotic prostatectomy
During a robotic prostatectomy, urologists remove part of the prostate during a minimally invasive procedure. The robotic tools enable surgeons to use tiny tools and incisions. Urologists may recommend this procedure for men with significantly larger prostates.
Aquablation® therapy
This innovative, minimally invasive procedure uses high-powered water jets to remove only the parts of prostate tissue that cause symptoms. Urologists can perform Aquablation therapy on prostates of any size and shape.
Aquablation therapy uses robotic assistance without any incisions or heat. Instead, the surgeon accesses the prostate through the urethra (tube that carries urine). This highly precise procedure minimizes the risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects.
Prostate laser surgery
Prostate laser surgery uses energy to reduce or remove extra prostate tissue that blocks urine flow. We perform all types of prostate laser surgery, including:
- Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP): This option for a severely enlarged prostate uses a laser and another instrument to divide excess tissue into smaller pieces for easier removal.
- Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP): To treat a mildly to a moderately enlarged prostate, a laser is used to melt away excess tissue.
Prostatic artery embolization (PAE)
We are one of the first programs in the U.S. to offer prostatic artery embolization. During this outpatient procedure, interventional radiologists make a tiny incision in the wrist or groin. Specialists then insert a small tube through the artery to the prostate. The tube contains synthetic particles that reduce the prostate’s blood supply. Within about a month, the prostate shrinks, relieving symptoms.
Prostatic urethral lift
Urologists typically perform this outpatient procedure to treat mild to moderate enlarged prostate symptoms or when surgery isn’t an option. Your doctor uses tiny stainless steel implants to lift the prostate tissue away from the urethra so it doesn’t block urine flow.
Rezum™ Water Vapor Therapy
This newer treatment uses water vapor, or steam, to destroy excess prostate tissue that blocks the flow of urine. During water vapor therapy, specialists insert a thin needle through the urethra into the prostate gland. The needle produces steam that eliminates unneeded tissue. Over time, your body absorbs the treated tissue, shrinking the prostate. Steam-based treatment reduces the effects on surrounding tissue, preserving sexual and urinary functions.
close Minimally Invasive Procedures
If you have moderate to severe urinary symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery. Our surgeons have many years of experience performing open procedures, such as:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
TURP involves removing a section of the prostate. During this procedure, your surgeon inserts a thin metal tube (resectoscope) into the tip of your penis, through your urethra, and into the prostate. Using the resectoscope, your surgeon removes small pieces of prostate tissue, a little at a time.
close Surgery
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials for an Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Our Clinics
The Stanford Health Care Urology Clinic provides general urologic care and treatment for all types of complex urologic problems.
Garden Level
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-3391 Getting Here
