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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition that affects men as they age, causing the prostate gland to enlarge and put pressure on the urethra. While BPH is not cancer, the symptoms—such as frequent urination, weak urine flow, and difficulty emptying the bladder—can significantly impact quality of life.
Thankfully, there are multiple BPH treatment options available, ranging from lifestyle changes to surgical procedures. In this article, we’ll compare BPH treatment options—from non-surgical approaches like medication and lifestyle changes to surgical procedures such as TURP. We’ll also touch on newer, minimally invasive options like the TULSA Procedure and how it can benefit patients.
Non-Surgical BPH Treatment Options
For many men, the first step in managing BPH does not involve surgery. Non-surgical options can be effective for mild to moderate symptoms and may include:
Lifestyle and behavior changes – Reducing evening fluid intake, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and practicing double voiding can sometimes ease urinary symptoms.
Medications – According to the Mayo Clinic, alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are commonly prescribed to relax prostate muscles or shrink the gland. Combination therapy may also be used when one medication alone isn’t enough.
Non-surgical options may not permanently resolve symptoms but can delay or even eliminate the need for surgery, depending on how the prostate responds.
Surgical BPH Treatment Options
When BPH symptoms are severe or when non-surgical options fail, surgery is often recommended. The goal is to remove or reduce excess prostate tissue and restore normal urine flow.
- TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) – Often considered the most effective in BPH surgical treatment, TURP involves inserting a scope through the urethra to remove sections of the enlarged prostate. has a strong track record of success in reducing urinary symptoms. However, risks include bleeding, infection, and possible long-term side effects such as retrograde ejaculation.
- Laser surgeries – Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and other laser procedures vaporize or cut away excess tissue with less blood loss than TURP, often making them a good choice for men with larger prostates or higher bleeding risks.
Minimally Invasive BPH Treatment Options
Advances in technology have made it possible to treat BPH with procedures that sit between medication and traditional surgery. One of the most promising is TULSA Procedure, a minimally invasive, incision-free treatment that uses precise, MRI-guided ultrasound to ablate prostate tissue.
Treatments such as Rezūm™ (steam therapy) or UroLift® (prostatic implants) provide alternatives for men who don’t respond well to medication but want to avoid major surgery. These therapies can relieve symptoms with shorter recovery times compared to traditional procedures.
Unlike TURP, which requires cutting away tissue, TULSA-PRO is designed to preserve urinary and sexual function while still providing meaningful relief of symptoms (Halo Diagnostics). For patients who are hesitant about surgery, TULSA-PRO and other minimally invasive approaches may offer an encouraging balance of effectiveness and quality of life preservation.
Finding the Right Balance Between Effectiveness and Quality of Life
The best BPH treatment options depend on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, the size of your prostate, your age, and your overall health.
Non-surgical approaches may be enough for men with mild to moderate symptoms, while surgical procedures like TURP remain a proven choice for more severe cases.
At the same time, newer minimally invasive treatments, such as the TULSA Procedure, are expanding possibilities for men seeking effective relief with fewer risks and a better quality of life.
Oct 7, 2025 | Tulsa