Can Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Be Treated Without Surgery?

Yes. Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks an enlarged prostate from inside the blood vessels — no TURP surgery, no catheter, and minimal downtime.

What Is BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)?

BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects most men over 50. As the prostate grows, it squeezes the urethra and causes bothersome urinary symptoms: frequent urination (especially at night), a weak or interrupted stream, difficulty starting urination, the feeling that the bladder is not fully empty, and urgent or sudden need to urinate. These symptoms progressively worsen with age and significantly affect quality of life.

Traditional TURP Surgery

For decades, TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) has been the standard surgical treatment for BPH. The surgeon inserts an instrument through the urethra and cuts away excess prostate tissue. While effective, TURP requires spinal or general anaesthesia, a urinary catheter for 2–5 days after surgery, a hospital stay of 2–4 days, and carries risks of bleeding, retrograde ejaculation (in up to 75% of patients), urinary incontinence, and urethral stricture. Recovery takes 4–6 weeks, and many elderly men are not fit enough for the procedure.

How Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) Works

PAE is performed by Dr. Rohit Agarwal through a tiny puncture in the wrist artery — no urethral instrument is needed at all. A microcatheter is guided through the blood vessels under X-ray guidance into the small arteries that feed the enlarged prostate. Tiny microspheres (smaller than a grain of sand) are injected to block these arteries. Deprived of its blood supply, the prostate gradually shrinks over the following weeks, relieving the pressure on the urethra and improving urinary flow. The entire procedure is done under local anaesthesia, with most patients going home the same day or the next morning.

PAE vs TURP — The Comparison

Results — What the Evidence Shows

Studies consistently show that PAE achieves approximately 90% symptom improvement, with significant reduction in prostate volume and improvement in urinary flow rates. At Medanta Lucknow, Dr. Rohit Agarwal has successfully treated patients across all age groups — including a 94-year-old patient who was deemed unfit for TURP surgery by urologists but responded excellently to PAE. Most patients notice improvement within 2–4 weeks, with maximum benefit by 3–6 months.