What Happens if You Don't Treat BPH?

If you've been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate), you may be researching treatment options. After all, this condition can cause disruptive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that range from mild to severe. So, while some men may rush to seek medical intervention, others may prefer to manage their condition with lifestyle changes.

Now, both options can help you find relief from BPH. But will that relief last? And what happens if you don't treat BPH? Keep reading to find out!

What is BPH?

BPH is a non-cancerous condition in which your prostate gland enlarges. As a result, the prostate tissue puts pressure on the urethra, causing disruptions to urinary flow or making you experience more frequent urinary urgency.

Other common symptoms include weak urinary flow or the need to urinate frequently through the night. Men with BPH may also find it difficult to start or stop their urinary flow. And having BPH puts you at an increased risk for urinary tract infections.

What Happens if You Don't Treat BPH?

According to the experts at Johns Hopkins University, you could end up with a thickened bladder; residual urine that becomes infected; bladder stones; and kidney damage if you don't treat BPH. Additionally, without treatment, BPH could leave you with substantial damage to the urinary tract.

Given all these potential complications, why do so many men delay or avoid treating BPH each year? The answer is simple. In the past, available treatment options carried serious health risks, including sexual side effects and the potential for urinary leakage. Today, however, you can treat an enlarged prostate with Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the prostate, relieves LUTS, and does not cause serious side effects.

Ready to see if you are a good candidate for PAE? Click here to request an appointment at the Texas Prostate Institute. We'll review your unique symptoms and health profile, and provide personalized recommendations for how you should treat BPH.