If you have a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, and are looking for a nonsurgical solution to relieve your symptoms, GreenLight™ laser therapy might be it.
At Urology Specialist Group, the urology team specializes in treating a variety of prostate problems including BPH. They offer GreenLight laser therapy to quickly relieve your BPH symptoms and enhance your quality of life.
BPH describes the enlargement of the prostate gland that sits beneath your bladder. This enlargement is common in men as they get older.
The urethra, the tube that channels urine from your bladder and out of your body, passes through the center of the prostate. When the prostate becomes swollen or enlarged, it can press on the urethra and block the flow of urine.
This pressure can lead to persistent discomfort and symptoms like:
You might also notice you have to urinate more often during the night.
In addition to aging, BPH can be the result of diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. If you have a family history of BPH, you might be at increased risk for having the condition, too.
Traditionally, a surgical procedure known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is used to treat BPH. This surgery involves the insertion of a lighted scope into your urethra to remove excess tissue.
As a less invasive technique, our team uses GreenLight laser therapy to treat BPH symptoms with fewer side effects. GreenLight laser therapy is an outpatient procedure our urology team performs in an ambulatory surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
During the procedure, they insert a small fiber into your urethra and deliver laser energy into the enlarged tissue of the prostate. The laser energy helps to remove tissue blocking your urine flow, so you can get fast relief of your BPH symptoms.
You might first benefit from medications to reduce the enlargement of your prostate tissue; but if they don’t work, GreenLight laser therapy can be considered.
Our providers can determine if you’re a candidate for laser therapy by reviewing your medical history, your current health, and the severity of your symptoms.
We also offer in-office prostate exams and diagnostic tests to evaluate your prostate enlargement, including urinary flow tests and tests that measure how well you can empty your bladder.
There are several advantages GreenLight laser therapy has over TURP surgery. Laser therapy is minimally invasive, and you can expect to return home soon after your procedure.
GreenLight laser therapy is also a suitable treatment option for many men, especially those who’s BPH medications are no longer working.
Other benefits of GreenLight laser therapy include:
You can also expect to return to your usual activities faster than you might with TURP or other types of prostate surgery.
To find out if you’re a candidate for GreenLight laser therapy, call the Urology Specialist Group office nearest you or book a consultation online today.
