How Does Aquablation Compare to Other BPH Treatments?
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Many surveys and studies found that a fear of permanent side effects is the number one reason that men avoid or defer treatment for BPH. In particular, the risk of profound incontinence, erectile dysfunction (ED), and/or ejaculatory function are primary concerns. At Jacksonville, FL-based Kasraeian Urology, board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian understand the importance of retaining sexual function and urinary control while finding relief from disruptive BPH symptoms and are proud to be among the only local providers to offer aquablation therapy for BPH. Keep scrolling to learn more about how aquablation compares with other BPH treatment options and, more specifically, how the risk of aquablation side effects stacks up against alternative treatments.
What are the symptoms of BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common urologic condition characterized by the enlargement of the male prostate gland. It is important to note that BPH is not a precancerous condition and does not increase a man’s likelihood of developing prostate cancer. Still, the symptoms of BPH can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and disruptive to his everyday life. Some of the most common BPH symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Constant feeling of needing to void
- Difficulty urinating
- Pushing or straining to void
- Spraying urinary stream
- Dribbling urinary stream
- Urinary incontinence
How does aquablation help BPH symptoms?
Like some traditional BPH treatments, aquablation involves the removal (resection) of excess prostatic tissue to relieve pressure on the urethra and improve the patient’s urinary control and flow. Unlike traditional BPH surgery, however, aquablation uses a minimally invasive technique, robotic precision, ultrasonic imaging, and a heat-free jet stream to greatly reduce the risk of side effects and provide rapid, long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms.
How does aquablation for BPH work?
Aquablation therapy is performed using general anesthesia in a hospital setting and will require a one-night stay. Most men are able to leave the hospital the next day without the need for a catheter, which is a noteworthy benefit of aquablation compared with other BPH treatment options. The procedure is performed by first mapping the prostate with ultrasound imaging. This allows Dr. Kasraeian to then precisely remove the target areas of tissue with a heat-free water stream and leave other areas – including those associated with sexual function – undisturbed. Aquablation therapy requires no incisions, sutures, or scarring.
What are the side effects of aquablation therapy?
Perhaps the most compelling benefit of aquablation treatment is the extremely low risk of irreversible side effects, such as ED or urinary incontinence. Compared with traditional BPH surgeries and treatments, aquablation offers a virtually nonexistent risk of long-term side effects, with most men experiencing only a mild and temporary change in their urinary and/or sexual function following treatment. Studies have shown that nearly 100% of men retain ejaculatory, erectile, and urinary functions following a successful aquablation treatment, making it an obvious choice for patients with concerns about lasting side effects.
Stop worrying about the side effects of BPH treatment with aquablation therapy in Jacksonville, FL
With aquablation therapy, you don’t have to choose between relief from BPH symptoms and preserving your sexual function. With this minimally invasive technique that is suitable for prostates of any size, you can finally regain better urinary control without having to worry about irreversible side effects. For more information on what results may be possible for you with aquablation therapy, call Kasraeian Urology to schedule your consultation with top Jacksonville, FL board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian today.