If you’ve recently been told you have an enlarged prostate, you’re probably asking the same question most men do:
Can it go back to normal?
Short answer: An enlarged prostate, also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, usually does not shrink back to its original size on its own. However, medications and minimally invasive treatments like Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) can significantly reduce prostate size and improve urinary symptoms.
While the prostate may not naturally return to its younger size, you are not stuck living with frustrating symptoms. Modern treatment options can relieve pressure on the bladder, improve urine flow, and help you get back to sleeping through the night.
Let’s break down what that really means — and what you can realistically expect.
What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?
An enlarged prostate, also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a very common part of aging. As men get older, natural hormonal changes cause the prostate to gradually grow.
For some men, that growth doesn’t cause much trouble. For others, it begins pressing against the urethra — the tube that carries urine out of the body — leading to symptoms like needing to urinate more often, difficulty starting, or waking up multiple times during the night.
It’s important to know that BPH is not cancer. It’s a benign condition. Even though it’s not dangerous, it can seriously impact your quality of life.
How Large Does the Prostate Have to Be to Cause Symptoms?
Prostate size alone doesn’t always determine symptoms. Some men with moderately enlarged prostates have severe urinary issues, while others with larger glands have minimal symptoms.
What matters most is how much the prostate compresses the urethra and affects bladder function. Imaging and symptom scoring help determine the right treatment approach.
Does an Enlarged Prostate Ever Shrink on Its Own?
In most cases, no.
Once prostate tissue has enlarged due to BPH, it typically does not reverse naturally. Because long-term hormonal changes and aging drive the growth, the body doesn’t simply undo it.
That said, symptoms can fluctuate. Some men may notice periods where urinary issues feel less intense. Lifestyle adjustments, such as limiting evening fluids or reducing caffeine, can also help manage mild symptoms.
Unfortunately, a significant, lasting reduction in prostate size usually requires treatment.
Enlarged Prostate Treatment Options
If symptoms move beyond occasional inconvenience and start interfering with your sleep, daily routine, or overall quality of life, it may be time to consider treatment. The good news is that enlarged prostate treatment has evolved significantly over the years.
In general, treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) falls into three main categories:
Lifestyle Adjustments
For mild symptoms, simple changes can help:
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol
- Limiting fluids before bedtime
- Bladder training techniques
These approaches may improve symptoms but usually do not reduce prostate size.
Medications
Doctors often start with medication. Common options include:
- Alpha-blockers, which relax the muscle around the prostate to improve urine flow
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which can gradually shrink prostate tissue over time
Medications can be effective, but they may take months to work and sometimes cause side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction.
Minimally Invasive or Surgical Procedures
If symptoms persist or worsen, procedural treatment may be recommended. Options include:
- TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
- UroLift
- Rezūm (water vapor therapy)
- Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
Each works differently, and the best choice depends on prostate size, symptom severity, overall health, and personal goals.
Prostate Artery Embolization: A Non-Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
If you’re researching treatment options for an enlarged prostate, you may have come across something called Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE). Many men in Tulsa are choosing this option because it treats BPH without traditional surgery.
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)?
Prostate Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Instead of removing prostate tissue surgically, PAE works by:
- Reducing blood flow to the enlarged areas of the prostate
- Causing the excess tissue to shrink naturally over time
- Relieving pressure on the urethra
As the prostate shrinks, urinary symptoms typically improve. That means fewer bathroom trips, better urine flow, and less nighttime disruption.
Clinical research supports these outcomes. A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology found that Prostatic Artery Embolization significantly improves urinary symptoms and quality of life for men with BPH, with high patient satisfaction rates and durable results over time.
How is PAE Performed?
One of the biggest advantages of PAE is that it does not require major surgery.
Here’s what patients can generally expect:
The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting. You’re given medication to help you relax, but general anesthesia is usually not required.
A tiny incision about the size of a pencil tip is made in the wrist or groin. Through this small access point, a thin catheter is guided into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. Using advanced imaging technology, the physician precisely identifies the blood vessels feeding the enlarged prostate tissue.
Microscopic particles are then injected into those arteries to reduce blood flow. Over time, this causes the prostate to shrink gradually.
Most procedures take one to two hours. Patients typically go home the same day and return to normal activities within a few days.
Symptom improvement is usually gradual over several weeks as the prostate decreases in size.
Is Prostate Artery Embolization Safe?
PAE has been studied extensively and is considered a safe and effective treatment for properly selected patients. PAE is often best suited for men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms, larger prostate size, or those who want to avoid traditional surgery. As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, but serious complications are uncommon when performed by experienced interventional radiologists.
During your consultation at Apex Vascular, we review your medical history and imaging to ensure you are an appropriate candidate before recommending treatment.
PAE vs. TURP To Treat BPH
For decades, the standard surgical treatment for BPH has been TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate).
TURP involves inserting a surgical instrument through the urethra to physically remove excess prostate tissue. While it can be very effective, it is considered surgery and usually requires:
- Hospital stay
- General or spinal anesthesia
- Catheter placement after the procedure
- A longer recovery period
PAE, by contrast:
- Does not involve cutting or removing tissue
- Is performed through a small pinhole incision
- Typically allows same-day discharge
- Has a lower risk of certain surgical side effects
Another important difference is sexual side effects. TURP carries a higher risk of retrograde ejaculation (where semen enters the bladder instead of exiting normally). PAE has a lower reported risk of this complication, which is an important consideration for many men.
While TURP remains an effective surgical option for many men, PAE offers a less invasive alternative for patients who want to avoid traditional surgery or may not be ideal surgical candidates. That said, not every patient is a candidate for PAE. The best treatment depends on prostate size, overall health, symptom severity, and personal goals.
At Apex Vascular & Interventional Physicians in Tulsa, we evaluate each patient carefully and review all appropriate options before recommending treatment. If you’re looking for relief from frequent urination, weak stream, or nighttime bathroom trips — but want to avoid traditional surgery — Prostate Artery Embolization may be worth exploring.
Why Choose Apex Vascular for Your PAE Procedure?
When you’re considering a procedure like Prostate Artery Embolization, who performs it matters just as much as the procedure itself.
PAE is not a general urology treatment; it is a highly specialized, image-guided procedure that requires advanced vascular training and precision. At Apex Vascular & Interventional Physicians, this is exactly what we do every day.
Specialized Expertise in Non-surgical Treatments
Our physicians are board-certified interventional radiologists with advanced training in embolization therapies. That means we specialize in navigating the body’s vascular system using real-time imaging to treat conditions from the inside, without major surgery.
PAE requires careful mapping of the prostate’s blood supply and precise placement of embolic particles. This level of accuracy comes from years of experience performing complex vascular procedures.
Advanced Technology with the Convenience of Outpatient Care
Our medical clinic is located inside the OSU Medical Center in Tulsa, giving patients access to a modern medical facility while still receiving the convenience of outpatient treatment.
Prostate Artery Embolization and other procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, which means:
- You go home the same day
- No overnight hospital stay is required
- Recovery typically happens in the comfort of your own home
- Scheduling is streamlined compared to traditional inpatient surgery
Our procedures are minimally invasive and designed to avoid the extended recovery, larger incisions, and longer hospital stays associated with open surgery. This combination of hospital-level resources with outpatient convenience allows us to prioritize both safety and patient comfort.
A Focus on Outcomes That Matter to You
Success isn’t just measured in prostate size reduction. It’s measured in real-life improvements such as sleeping through the night, sitting through a movie comfortably, and traveling without worry.
If you’re in Tulsa or the surrounding communities and looking for a non-surgical solution for enlarged prostate symptoms, our team at Apex Vascular & Interventional Physicians is here to help you explore whether Prostate Artery Embolization is right for you.
You don’t have to accept urinary symptoms as “just part of getting older.” Relief may be closer than you think.
Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options.
