BPH Treatment: Urolift
When is the UroLift® treatment appropriate?
Medications may be the first course of treatment for an enlarged prostate. If medications do not provide enough symptom relief, if side effects are bothersome or if prescriptions become too expensive, some men choose an alternative treatment.
The UroLift® System for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
The physician places small, permanent implants into the prostate to lift and hold enlarged tissue out of the way. This relieves pressure on the urethra and allows urine to flow. In a way, the implants act like curtain ties, lifting the tissue out of the way.
This minimally invasive procedure involves no cutting, heating, or removal of prostate tissue. Your urologist will perform the procedure on an outpatient basis.
The UroLift System has 100% national Medicare coverage and is covered by most major private payors; however, our team will verify your coverage before you get the procedure.
Typically, no overnight stay and no catheter is required but patients may experience urinary discomfort during the recovery period. Your urologist will talk with you about how quickly you can return to your daily activities.
- An enlarged prostate can narrow or even block the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms.
- The UroLift Delivery Device is placed through the obstructed urethra to access the enlarged prostate.
- Tiny UroLift Implants are permanently placed to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way and increase the opening
- of the urethra.
- The UroLift System treatment provides fast and reliable symptom relief by opening the obstructed urethra.
Patients may experience improvement in their lower urinary tract symptoms as early as two weeks after the procedure.
This video provides an overview of how the UroLift System works to address BPH in a non-invasive way.
Recovery
With UroLift, patients have less downtime and experience very few, if any, side effects, especially in terms of sexual function.
Patients may experience some urinary discomfort during the recovery period. The most common side effects may include blood in the urine, some pain or discomfort when urinating, some increased urge to go, and discomfort in the pelvis. These symptoms typically resolve within two to four weeks after the procedure.
Is the treatment permanent?
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.