Prostate Artery Embolization

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an outpatient procedure performed by an interventional radiologist that involves the release of microscopic, plastic beads into the arteries that feed the prostate gland. The beads travel to the patient’s prostatic arteries, and once there, they permanently block off the blood flow that’s causing the swelling in the prostate. While some enlarged prostate treatments negatively impact male sexual function.

PAE is for men who have enlarged prostates. While not life-threatening, an enlarged prostate can negatively impact a man’s day-to-day life. Men with this condition can encounter sexual and urinary issues.  Urine flow can become very slow and frequent.  Typical medical and surgical treatments for enlarged prostates can cause severe sexual dysfunction, and a condition called retrograde ejaculation.

It works by placing a tiny catheter into the arteries that feed the prostate gland. A solution containing thousands of microscopic plastic beads is injected; these block the blood supply by shutting down blood flow to the gland. All of this is accomplished through a tiny quarter-inch hole in the skin. General anesthesia is not needed because the procedure is not all that painful. Most patients go home the same day with just a small bandage, requiring only a few days of recovery at home before returning to normal life.  This allows the urethra to open up and urine to flow more normally.  Amazingly, shrinking the prostate does not have any negative impact on sexual function, and indeed a small number of patients actually experience an improvement in their sexual function after the procedure.

All men who’ve been diagnosed with BPH, who experience symptoms that are not controlled well by medications and who are not able to or do not want to undergo invasive surgical treatments, are candidates for PAE. Patients must have reasonable kidney function and not be allergic to the contrast dye used during the procedure.

PAE has been shown to have fewer side effects than other widely used treatments for BPH such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery, which is associated with incontinence, impotence, retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction issues in men. When the procedure is performed by an experienced physician, the complication rate is extremely low and the procedure is incredibly safe and effective. According to the World Journal of Urology, the following side effects can occur following PAE: transient blood in urine (hematuria), rectal bleeding, and acute urinary retention. In fact, with PAE, some men may actually experience improved sexual function following the procedure.

You do not need a referral to have this procedure, but a full evaluation by a urologist is important.  So, we make sure you are also seen by one of our urologists before making a final decision about performing the procedure.