An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is one of the most common conditions affecting men as they get older.
While BPH is not cancerous, it can have a significant impact on quality of life, causing symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty starting to urinate, a weak urinary stream, and the need to get up multiple times during the night.
According to the NHS, enlarged prostate symptoms become increasingly common with age and can gradually worsen if left untreated.
Treatment options typically centred around medication and a surgical procedure known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). However, advances in urological technology mean there is a much wider range of effective BPH treatment options available.
From minimally invasive procedures to advanced robotic-assisted treatments, patients now have more choice than ever before. Understanding the available options can help you make informed decisions and work with your urologist to find the most appropriate treatment for your needs.
Not every enlarged prostate requires intervention. Some men experience only mild symptoms that can be managed with lifestyle changes and monitoring.
However, treatment may be recommended if symptoms begin to affect everyday life, such as:
The right treatment depends on several factors, including symptom severity, prostate size, overall health, and personal preferences.
Treatment for an enlarged prostate has advanced considerably over the last decade. While medication and TURP remain effective for many patients, there are now a range of minimally invasive and surgical alternatives to TURP available.
The right treatment depends on factors such as prostate size, symptom severity, overall health and personal priorities, including recovery time and preservation of sexual function.
TURP has been a standard treatment for enlarged prostate symptoms for many years and remains one of the most performed procedures.
The operation removes obstructing prostate tissue through the urethra, helping improve urine flow and bladder emptying.
Whilst highly effective, some patients are now exploring alternatives to TURP due to concerns about recovery time, hospital stay and sexual side effects.
Medication is often the first line of treatment for men with mild to moderate symptoms.
Common medications include:
Medication can be highly effective at controlling symptoms, but it does not work for everyone. Some patients may continue to experience worsening symptoms or prefer a more permanent solution.
Aquablation is one of the most popular advances in enlarged prostate treatment. It combines robotic technology, real-time imaging and a heat-free water jet to remove prostate tissue with precision.
Potential benefits include:
As a provider of Aquablation, our experts can advise whether this treatment may be suitable as part of a personalised treatment plan
HoLEP is a laser-based procedure that removes enlarged prostate tissue causing urinary obstruction.
Using a specialised laser, surgeons separate and remove prostate tissue while preserving the surrounding structures. HoLEP is often recommended for larger prostates and can provide durable, long-term results.
Potential advantages include:
Many urologists now consider HoLEP an effective alternative to traditional surgery, particularly for patients with significant enlargement.
UroLift is a minimally invasive treatment that works differently from procedures that remove prostate tissue.
Instead, small implants are used to pull enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, widening the urinary channel and improving flow.
Benefits may include:
UroLift is not suitable for all prostate shapes and sizes, but it can be an attractive option for patients looking to avoid more invasive surgery.
Rez?m therapy uses targeted water vapour, or steam, to destroy excess prostate tissue.
Following treatment, the body’s natural healing processes gradually absorb the treated tissue, reducing pressure on the urethra and improving urinary symptoms.
Benefits may include:
Rez?m has become increasingly popular among patients seeking less invasive alternatives to TURP.
With so many modern BPH treatment options available, patients are no longer limited to a choice between medication and conventional surgery.
Procedures such as Aquablation, HoLEP, UroLift and Rez?m have expanded the range of treatments available, allowing care to be tailored to individual symptoms, prostate size and lifestyle priorities.
While TURP remains an effective option for many men, newer technologies are providing additional choices that can help achieve long-term symptom relief with different recovery profiles and potential side effect considerations.
At Midlands Urology, Aquablation is a key focus of our enlarged prostate treatment offering, reflecting the growing demand for minimally invasive solutions that provide effective symptom improvement while helping to preserve quality of life.
However, we recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to BPH treatment.
Our experienced consultants assess every patient individually, considering symptoms, prostate size, medical history and treatment goals before recommending the most appropriate option for their circumstances.