The most common treatments for prostate enlargement are:
- Medications
- Surgery – TURP
- Microwave Therapy (CoreTherm®) – TUMT
The different treatment methods have advantages and disadvantages that you should consider and discuss with your doctor. The best solution for you may be to monitor the problem for a while to see if treatment is necessary. Some BPH patients improve without treatment. It is also important to point out that BPH treatment can result in loss of fertility. For this reason you should discuss your treatment and your plans to have children with your doctor.
If your problems are moderate your doctor will most likely recommend medication as the first choice of treatment. It is worth bearing in mind that medications only treat the symptoms, not the problem itself.
Modern treatment methods such as TUMT (Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy) are so convenient and effective that it is now possible to consider treating the problem at much earlier stages than previously possible. CoreTherm® is the most common and most effective form of TUMT and is in routine use within Swedish health care today. (For specific country information look under languages)
If your prostate problems affect how you or your partner enjoy life, or if you are taking a medicine that no longer relieves the problem, then thermotherapy or surgery may be the best alternative for you.
What happens if BPH is not treated?
Eventually there may be complications affecting other organs. Initially the bladder will be affected and in more rare cases also the upper urinary tract, which can lead to kidney damage. Bladder stones and chronic urinary tract infections are relatively common complications. Urinary retention can occur, which means a sudden inability to urinate. This is an acute condition that requires emergency medical treatment because of severe pain. Remember that the final decision regarding treatment is yours!