Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) in Chicago
What is prostatic artery embolization (PAE)?
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) treats urinary problems from an enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, without surgery. An interventional radiologist reaches the prostate's arteries through a tiny opening in the wrist or upper thigh and blocks part of the blood flow, so the prostate slowly shrinks. You stay awake with a mild sedative and go home the same day.
What happens during prostatic artery embolization?
Prostatic artery embolization is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and no general anesthesia is required. You’re given a mild sedative, but remain awake.
Tiny incision
The procedure begins with a tiny incision in your upper thigh or wrist to gain access to your arterial system. The interventional radiologist will then guide a catheter to the blood vessels that feed into the prostate after doing an arteriogram, which is a test where a harmless dye is injected to see how blood flows.
Injecting the microspheres
Once the correct vessels are found, tiny, round particles called ‘microspheres’ are injected into the catheter. As a result, blood flow to the prostate is blocked, so the prostate gradually shrinks and symptoms ease over time.
Who is a candidate for PAE?
Prostate artery embolization may be an option when an enlarged prostate causes bothersome urinary problems, prostate medicines are not helping enough, or you want an alternative to surgery. Your doctor reviews your symptoms, prostate size, past treatments and imaging, and checks that another condition is not causing the problems, before recommending PAE.
When do symptoms improve after PAE?
Prostate artery embolization works by shrinking prostate tissue, so relief builds gradually rather than all at once. Some men notice changes within days, while the full effect takes longer. Your doctor schedules follow-up visits to check your progress and tells you whether to keep taking your prostate medicines in the meantime.
Risks of prostatic artery embolization
Like any procedure, prostate artery embolization has some risks.
Some potential complications after the procedure include blood in the urine, semen, or stool; infection; or a hematoma at the incision site.
It’s also possible to experience nausea, fever, pelvic pain, or painful/frequent urination for a few days after your procedure.
Rarely, the particles can affect blood vessels that supply nearby organs such as the bladder or rectum. This is called non-target embolization, and careful mapping of the arteries before treatment helps lower that risk.
PAE compared with surgery and other options
PAE is one alternative to prostate surgery such as TURP, and to other procedures like UroLift or Rezum. No single treatment is best for every man. The right choice depends on your prostate, your symptoms, your health and what matters most to you, including recovery time and sexual function, so your doctor compares the options with you.
Related treatments at MIMIT
Embolization also treats bleeding hemorrhoids and knee arthritis pain.
Prostate Artery Embolization FAQs
-
No, prostate artery embolization does not go through the penis and does not cut or remove prostate tissue. The doctor reaches the prostate's blood supply through a tiny opening in the wrist or upper thigh and guides a catheter, a thin flexible tube, using X-ray images. Tiny particles then block selected arteries so the prostate gradually shrinks.
-
The PAE procedure is done with a mild sedative while you stay awake, and no general anesthesia is needed. Some men have pelvic discomfort or painful, frequent urination for a few days afterward. The catheter used during PAE goes into an artery, not the bladder; ask your doctor whether you might need a urinary catheter for a short time.
-
Prostate artery embolization recovery time varies from man to man. You go home the same day, and mild pelvic discomfort or urinary symptoms usually settle within a few days. Your care team will tell you when to return to work, exercise, driving and sex, based on how you feel and your health.
-
Prostate artery embolization is not surgery on the prostate, but changes in ejaculation, semen or sexual function are still possible, and research on these effects is still growing. Tell your doctor which outcomes matter most to you. They can explain how PAE compares with medicines and other procedures for sexual side effects before you decide.
-
Insurance coverage for prostate artery embolization, including Medicare coverage, depends on your plan and your diagnosis. Some plans require approval before treatment. MIMIT Health does not accept Medicaid, including plans that combine Medicare and Medicaid. Call (708) 486-2600 to check your coverage and ask about any costs.
-
To arrange a prostate artery embolization consultation, call MIMIT Health at (708) 486-2600 or use the Schedule now button on this page. Bring your urology records, any prostate scans and a medication list. MIMIT offers PAE at all four offices: Des Plaines, Hinsdale, Chicago South Loop and Chicago North. We welcome referrals from your urologist or doctor.