Benign Prostatic Enlargement

Prostate glands grow slowly throughout life. With increasing size the likelihood of bothersome urinary symptoms rises. A larger prostate can lead to symptoms such as reduced urinary flow rate, a sense of urinary urgency and needing to get up to void at night.

In more severe cases an enlarged prostate can lead to complications such as recurrent urinary infections, bladder stones, blood in the urine, urinary retention (inability to void) and even kidney damage.

Evaluation

A complete evaluation of your urinary tract will be undertaken at Urology Care Wellington. This will include a consultation, physical examination, ultrasound scan of the bladder and kidneys, measurement of urine flow rate, urine and blood tests.

Management

Bothersome urinary symptoms are usually initially treated with medications which either relax the prostate or shrink the prostate. These medications are effective in most men. If the medication is not effective or there are other complications of prostatic enlargement then surgery to relieve the obstruction will be recommended. Transurethral Resection of the Prostate is a minimally invasive treatment, which removes the obstructing part of the prostate gland. Most men stay in hospital for one to two nights following this surgery.