Enlarged Prostate Specialist
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Center for Urology
Abraham Woods, MD
Board Certified Urologist located in Altamonte Springs, FL
Prostate enlargement is a common condition that occurs to most men as they age. In some cases, an enlarged prostate can lead to discomfort and changes to urinary functions. At the Center for Urology, board-certified urologist Abraham Lincoln Woods III, MD, provides a number of treatment options for addressing enlarged prostates and restoring urinary functions. To speak with Dr. Woods about your condition, call the office in Altamonte Springs, Florida, or schedule an appointment online today.
Enlarged Prostate Q & A
What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate can cause uncomfortable symptoms that gradually worsen over time. Common symptoms of an enlarged prostate include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased nighttime urination
- Weak or slow urine stream
- Blood in the urine
- Inability to empty the bladder
The symptoms of BPH are similar to other conditions like urinary tract infections and kidney stones. If you’re experiencing changes in your urinary function, Dr. Woods can help you determine the cause of your condition.
What causes an enlarged prostate?
The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped structure responsible for producing seminal fluid. Most men experience growth of the prostate gland as they age. In some men, this growth can block the urinary tract, leading to uncomfortable symptoms.
Although it’s unclear why prostate enlargement affects some men and not others, several risk factors are closely linked to the condition. These risk factors include:
- Family history
- Diabetes
- Use of medications like beta-blockers
- Obesity
About one-third of men experience BPH by the age of 60. That number continues to increase with age. Treatment for your condition depends on your age, overall health, and size of your prostate.
How is an enlarged prostate treated?
BPH can be treated through a number of methods. If your symptoms are mild, Dr. Woods may recommend active surveillance, monitoring your condition with regular evaluations.
Certain lifestyle changes like limiting caffeine and sticking to a healthy diet can help keep your symptoms under control. Prostate enlargement can also be treated with medication.
If your condition isn't responsive to conservative treatments, Dr. Woods specializes in a number of safe and effective minimally invasive techniques. These include:
Microwave therapy
Microwave therapy, or transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), is used to decrease the prostate size in patients with mild to moderate BPH. Microwave therapy targets the inner portion of the enlarged prostate, destroying excess prostate tissue.
Transurethral resection of the prostate
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), or plasma vaporization, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses low-temperature plasma energy to remove inner parts of the prostate. TURP typically results in quick results and improvements to urinary functions.
Transurethral incision of the prostate
To perform transurethral incision of the prostate, Dr. Woods inserts an instrument through the urethra and makes a few small incisions in the prostate. This helps the muscles near the bladder and prostate to relax, improving the flow of urine.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate, book an appointment at the Center for Urology by phone or online today.
