Treatment benefits and risks

Enlarged Prostate Treatments: Knowing the Advantages and Disadvantages

Only you and your doctor can decide which treatment is right for you. But here are some advantages and disadvantages of the most common courses of treatment, including GreenLight Laser Therapy, that you may want to consider.

treatment type	treatment name	advantages	disadvantages
treatment type	treatment name	advantages	disadvantages
Laser Therapy	GreenLight Laser Therapy	Significant improvement in quality of life—AUA symptom score is lowered by 14 - 20 points ¹ Long-lasting symptom relief An outpatient procedure for healthy patients Dramatic urine flow improvement Shorter recovery time and fewer side effects than TURP Quick return to normal activities	General or spinal anesthesia ² A common side effect patients may experience is a slight burning when they have to urinate for about a week. However, this can be managed with mild pain and anti-inflammatory medications. A small number of patients may see blood in their urine for a week or so
Watchful Waiting		Symptoms may improve ² No surgical recovery period ² No medication side effects ²	There is a risk of developing acute urinary retention ² Symptoms may worsen without treatment ²
Surgery	Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)	Provides long-lasting symptom relief Provides an average 14 to 20 point drop in the AUA symptom score ²	Requires a 2 - 3 day hospital stay Most patients are catheriterized for approximately 4 days Prolonged side effects of TURP may include retrograde ejaculation, erection problems, painful urination, recurring urinary tract infections, bladder neck narrowing, and blood in the urine ² Can cause excessive bleeding ²
Medications	Alpha Blockers (Relax muscles around the bladder neck making it easier to urinate.) ²	AUA Symptom Score is lowered by 6 to 8 points ¹ Tend to work quickly - within a day or two ²	Common side effects include reduced semen released during ejaculation, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, stomach or intestinal irritation, stuffy or runny nose ² Medications must be taken every day for the rest of your life to maintain symptom relief
Medications	5 Alpha-reductase Inhibitors (Helps shrink the prostate) ²	AUA Symtom Score is lowered by 3 to 4 points ¹ These drugs may also reduce the chance of developing acute retention, that is, not being able to urinate at all, as well as the need for prostate surgery in the future ¹	Must be taken for 6 to 12 months before any improvement may be seen ¹ Common side effects include erectile dysfuction, decreased libido, and reduced semen during ejaculation ¹

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A Patient's Guide. AUA Foundation 2005. On the net: http://www.auanet.org/guidelines/patient_guides/bph_guide_2003.pdf from March 11, 2008.
2. Prostate gland enlargement — MayoClinic.com Tools for healthier lives. Original Article: www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-gland-enlargement/DS00027/DSECTION=2 from March 11, 2008.