Using Laser Prostate Surgery To Treat An Enlarged Prostate

Every man experiences prostate enlargement as they age. While the prostate is usually the size of a walnut when you're in your twenties, it gets larger from your forties onwards. A bigger prostate can make it difficult to urinate and enjoy reproductive functions. It's normal to want to reduce its size. Understanding more about laser surgery can prove useful when medications are no longer doing the job.

Laser Prostate Surgery Is Minimally Invasive

As a minimally invasive procedure, laser prostate surgery involves using a tool to laser away an enlarged area of prostate tissue. It doesn't require open surgical wounds, which may make it preferable to other methods. The surgeon usually gains access using a catheter through the urethra, which allows them to see the prostate and remove excess tissue. Depending on what your usual activities are, you may return to them within a few days to a few weeks. 

You Remove the Need to Take Medications

You may find that your medications are still somewhat effective but that they're inconvenient in other ways. Usually, doctors prescribe PDE5 inhibitors to treat an enlarged prostate. They relax the smooth muscle in your prostate, which makes it easier for you to urinate. While PDE5 inhibitors are effective, they often require a daily commitment and can sometimes clash with other medications. As they lower your blood pressure, they're especially likely to interact with antihypertensives. If you'd rather remove the need to take medications and eliminate side effects, laser prostate surgery may be preferable. Although there's a slight chance that you'll need a repeat procedure, you still get the convenience of no ongoing medication side effects.

You Might Improve Your Quality of Life

Suffering from an enlarged prostate can affect your quality of life in a couple of ways. You may find that you need to get up several times during the night to urinate. Doing so can affect your sleep and prevent you from feeling well-rested the next day. You might also suffer from a reduced libido. Unfortunately, medications are limited in how well they can address such issues. Although they can relax the muscles that affect urination, they don't reduce the size of your prostate. The most effective way to do that is through surgery, which offers measurable and longer-lasting results.

Ultimately, whether or not surgery is right for you is your decision alone. If it's something you're considering, schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn more about laser prostate surgery. 

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