e: How The UroLift® System Provides Relief From Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Your prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland that plays a big role in producing prostate fluid 一 an important part of your fertility and a key way your body protects and nourishes semen. Your prostate gland doubles in size during puberty, and then it starts a second growth cycle around the age of 25. That’s when the trouble with an enlarged prostate gland can start.

If your prostate gland grows too much, it can press against your urethra and lead to a variety of urinary symptoms. These may include frequent urination, urgency, weak urine flow, and difficulty emptying your bladder completely.

An enlarged prostate gland 一 officially referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH 一  is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, and thankfully, you have several options for addressing this condition. Our board-certified urologists at Bellingham Urology Group offer the UroLift® system in our Bellingham and Mount Vernon, Washington, locations.

Here’s what you need to know about the UroLift system and how it can help alleviate some symptoms related to an enlarged prostate gland.

How does the UroLift system work?

UroLift offers a minimally invasive approach to treating an enlarged prostate gland and relieving its symptoms. Implantable devices 一  made from nitinol, stainless steel, and PET suture 一 lift and hold your enlarged tissue out of the way of your urethra. This creates an unobstructed pathway for urine to flow. 

Because it’s non-surgical, it’s a good option for men wishing to avoid traditional surgical treatments.

Consultation

Getting started with UroLift always starts with a consultation. Your Bellingham Urology Group provider reviews the procedure with you and ensures that you meet the eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria include having symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland and being 45 years old or older. 

Placing the implantsOnce the team determines that UroLift is right for you, the UroLift device that places the implants must be inserted to reach your prostate. It’s a transurethral procedure, so that means the UroLift implants are inserted through a rigid sheath directly through your urethra. The implants remain there permanently. No heating, cutting, or removal of any prostate tissue is involved!

Removing the UroLift device

Once the implants are in place and there’s no longer an obstructed access to your urethra, the UroLift device is then removed.

That’s it! It’s a one-time procedure.

Benefits of the UroLift system

There are many reasons to consider UroLift as a solution for your symptoms related to an enlarged prostate gland. The system is:

• Minimally invasive, which means less downtime and a faster recovery than traditional surgery
• Preservation of sexual function, unlike other treatments for enlarged prostates 
• Low risk of side effects and complications compared with traditional surgical treatments for enlarged prostate glands
• Rapid relief from symptoms 

If you've been struggling with the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, and you’re over the age of 45, the UroLift system may be the answer you've been looking for. 

To book a consultation or to learn more about your options, call the office closest to you or use our online scheduling tool.