Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Melbourne

(commonly known as BPH)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)  is not cancer and is the most common benign tumour in men.  The prostate is situated below the bladder and the urethra runs through the prostate.  An enlargement of the prostate causes the urethra to be compressed or obstructed. This causes difficulties passing urine.  Symptoms such as needing to pass urine frequently both during the day and overnight, weak or intermittent urine flow,  feeling like you haven’t emptied your bladder completely and suprapubic pain are common.

Minor symptoms generally are of no concern. However, if your symptoms become bothersome and are impacting on your quality of life then treatment is available.

Treatment options include medications or surgery.  Medications work by relaxing the muscles in the prostate or by shrinking the prostate to alleviate obstruction in the urethra.  For those who don’t respond to medications or are unable to take medications  surgery is then recommended.  The aim of surgery is to relieve the obstruction and to allow urine to freely flow.

Surgical options:

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a common procedure that involves  a telescope being passed into the urethra. The prostate on either side of the urethra is ‘scraped’ out to relieve the obstruction.

Green Light Laser (GLL) surgery involves the use of a laser fibre which is passed into the urethra and the prostate on either side of the urethra is vaporised and cauterised at the same time.

Urolift is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of the urolift device which inserts ‘staples’ to hold and lift the obstruction. This procedure is only indicated for selected patients.