Enlarged Prostate: A Newer Treatment Option
In the past, daily medication or invasive surgeries were the only choices for men with an enlarged prostate. But now, there is another option for men that requires no hospitals, no costly prescriptions and only takes few hours. That option, Thermatrix, involves a machine that brings relief to men who have an enlarged prostate.
"Enlarge prostate is very common in men as we get older," says urologist, Dr. Bruce Lundak. "80% of 80-year-olds for example have at least some symptoms of an enlarged prostate," he adds.
The condition can also be found in men as young as 50. Signs of an enlarged prostate include:
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Slowing of the urinary stream
- Urinary tract infections
Only a doctor can tell if you have an enlarged prostate. And if you do, Thermatrix is one of the newer options for treatment.
Here's how it works: A catheter is inserted into the urethra. "The portion of the catheter that goes across the prostate has a specialized antenna," says Dr. Lundak. That antenna heats up to 50 degrees Celsius with microwave energy.
"Ultimately, that will cause shrinkage of the portion of the prostate that is causing the blockage of the flow of the urine," says Dr. Lundak
Dr. Lundak says the Thermatrix treatment only takes a couple of hours. After that, he says, his patients are on the road to recovery. He says that the procedure itself is not painful but some patients may have a little discomfort in the few weeks after the treatment. Thermation is not an option for cancer patients or those who have had prior prostate surgery.
