Most men living with enlarged prostate (BPH) symptoms take prescription medications after they’re diagnosed but these prescriptions often don’t provide adequate relief and may cause dizziness, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. Medications don’t need to become a lifelong burden and men don’t need to wait until surgery is required to address the problem. With the UroLift System treatment, men suffering from BPH symptoms can avoid traditional surgery altogether.
UroLift® System
Curious about the UroLift® System and how it works?
What is the UroLift® System?
The UroLift® System is a new minimally invasive treatment designed to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
How does UroLift® System work?
The UroLift System consists of a delivery device and tiny permanent implants. FDA cleared in 2013, this unique technology works by directly opening the urethra with tiny implants that hold the enlarged tissue out of the way, like tiebacks on a window curtain. No cutting, heating, or ablating tissue is involved, making the UroLift System the first and only BPH treatment that does not remove prostate tissue and does not negatively impact a man’s sexual function.
How do I know if UroLift® is right for me?
The UroLift System is a proven treatment option for BPH patients who are looking for an alternative to drugs or major surgery. You may be considering or scheduled for a TURP/Laser treatment or are unhappy with or have stopped taking medications. The UroLift System is appropriate for patients seeking a minimally invasive treatment and are concerned about preserving their sexual function and their quality of life.
What should I expect during the UroLift System treatment?
If you and your doctor decide that the UroLift System treatment is right for you, your doctor will provide the specific, detailed information relating to your condition.
In general, the UroLift System is a minimally invasive treatment that entails minimal downtime. Your doctor will use the UroLift delivery device to deploy permanent implants to relieve obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate that is pressing on your urethra.
The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia and you may be given medication to feel comfortable during the treatment. Typically, no catheter and no overnight stay is required post-treatment.
Will having the UroLift System treatment affect my sexual function?
Sexual function has been preserved among the hundreds of patients treated in our clinical studies. This is a unique benefit of the UroLift System treatment compared with other BPH therapies such as TURP, laser, and even medication.
Questions about BPH (Enlarged Prostate) & UroLift
You may want to seek BPH treatment if you experience BPH symptoms such as urgent need to urinate, difficulty starting your urine stream, need to push or strain when urinating, dribbling, the sensation that the bladder is not empty after urinating, weak urine flow, increased frequency of urination, frequent nighttime urination, burning or pain during urination.
If left untreated, BPH can lead to permanent bladder damage. When the bladder does not empty completely, the risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) may increase. Other serious problems can also develop over time, including bladder stones, blood in the urine, incontinence, or urinary retention.
No, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer; however, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life. BPH is NOT a type of cancer.
The UroLift System
You may be a good candidate if you are a male, 45 years of age or older, and have symptoms relating to BPH. Speak with your urologist to see if the UroLift® System treatment is right for you. If you have a known allergy to nickel, titanium or stainless steel, talk to your doctor about your allergy before getting a UroLift System treatment.
The FDA-cleared UroLift System is the only treatment that uses the Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL) procedure. The UroLift System treatment is a proven, minimally invasive approach for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that can get men off BPH medications and avoid major surgery. The UroLift System’s permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.
As with any medical procedure, individual results may vary. Speak with your urologist to see if the UroLift System treatment is right for you. Most common side effects are mild to moderate and include pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, urgent need to urinate and/or the inability to control the urge. Most symptoms resolve within two to four weeks after the procedure.
The UroLift System consists of a delivery device and tiny permanent implants.
- The UroLift Delivery Device is placed through the obstructed urethra.
- Small UroLift Implants are placed to lift or hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way. The Implants are delivered through a small needle that comes out of the delivery device and into the prostate.
- The UroLift Delivery Device is removed, leaving an open urethra that provides symptom relief.
One unique aspect of the UroLift System is that it does not preclude retreatment or BPH treatments such as TURP or laser, should they be required in the future.
The Implants are intended to be permanent. The implant is made up of standard surgical implantable materials: a nitinol capsular tab, a stainless steel urethral tab, and polyethylene suture that holds the two tabs together. Your doctor can remove the urethral implant, if needed. The suture can be cut and the urethral endpiece can be retrieved with a standard grasper. The capsular tab will remain in place inside the body.
A urologist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the urinary system and sex organs, uses the UroLift System to treat urinary symptoms due to BPH. Comprehensive training is provided to the urologist prior to using the UroLift System.
