Understand your prostate health

Your prostate is a walnut-shaped gland important for reproduction. But sometimes, it can cause problems for you. AHN urologists (prostate specialists) are here to help diagnose and treat those problems — from cancer to an enlarged prostate.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is common in men. Early detection significantly increases your chances of successful treatment. Regular screenings can help find it in its earliest stages.

You're at higher risk if you're over 50, African American, have a family history of prostate cancer, or have certain gene mutations.

To check for prostate cancer, your doctor may:

• Talk with you about your medical and family history.
• Do a physical exam, including a rectal exam.
• Order a PSA blood test to check for a specific protein.
• Recommend further tests, such as a biopsy (a small tissue sample) or an MRI.

If you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, the AHN Cancer Institute provides expert care. Treatment options are not one-size fits all. It depends on your own situation and preferences.

Benign prostate hyperplasia

(BPH) As you get older, your prostate gland can naturally grow bigger. This isn't cancer; it's called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It's super common, especially after age 50, and it can cause urinary problems.

Think of your prostate as a walnut-sized gland surrounding your urethra — the tube that carries urine from your bladder. With BPH, your enlarged prostate squeezes and blocks your urethra, causing annoying symptoms like:

• A weak urine stream (peeing takes longer and is weaker)
• Straining to start peeing
• Dribbling after you're done
• Feeling like your bladder isn't completely empty
• Needing to pee often and urgently
• Waking up at night to pee

These problems can seriously impact your life. You might lose sleep, avoid hanging out with friends, or have trouble getting through your day. Feeling frustrated, embarrassed, or down is normal. We can help.

Getting a BPH Diagnosis

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, see an AHN urologist. They might:

• Ask about your peeing problems.
• Do a physical exam, including a rectal exam.
• Order blood and urine tests.
• Check how well your bladder empties.
• Use a tiny camera (cystoscopy) to look inside your bladder and urethra.

Treatment for BPH

Those early BPH symptoms can make you feel frustrated. But you don't always need intense treatment right away. Here are some things you can try:

• Lifestyle changes: Cut back on things that irritate your bladder, like coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, and acidic foods. Don't hold your pee; go when you need to.
• Monitoring: If your symptoms aren't too bad, just keep your doctor updated on any changes.
• Medication: There are different medicines that can help.

If lifestyle changes and meds don't work, here are other options.

Aquablation^®

Aquablation is a new treatment that can provide you with long-lasting relief from your urinary symptoms. It's a minimally invasive procedure. That means it’s a much faster recovery than with traditional surgery. Plus, it helps preserve your sexual function. A doctor uses a robotic system and a water jet to precisely remove the extra prostate tissue blocking your pee flow. Most men go home the next day and return to normal activities immediately.

Surgery

AHN also offers several surgeries for long-term relief:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) uses an electric current to remove extra prostate tissue.
• Photoselective vaporization (PVP) uses a laser to remove the tissue.
• UroLift™ uses tiny implants to lift and move the prostate tissue out of the way. 

An AHN urologist will work with you to figure out the best treatment plan for your specific situation.

Contact us

Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 or schedule online with AHN urology to learn more about prostate health.