The Advantage of the GreenLight Laser.

Posted on by John McHugh

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  • Usually takes about 30 mins depending on the size of the prostate
  • Can be performed in our surgery center without having to go to the hospital
  • The need for a catheter after the procedure is usually 1-2 days
  • The majority of the time no or little bleeding
  • The results are similar to the traditional TURP
-R.S. in Tiger, GA | Nov 03, 2017
I had the Green Light Laser Therapy for BPH about a year ago and it was been very successful. My quality of life has greatly improved as I no longer feel I have to be within dashing distance of a bathroom. Dr. McHugh and his entire staff are very professional and explained the entire process to me as we went along. I would highly recommend.
Dr. McHugh is one of Georgia’s most experienced urologists in performing the GreenLight Laser procedure for enlarged prostate. Contact us for a consultation 24-7 using the form below and we’ll schedule a visit. 

Saw Palmetto for prostate enlargement. Is it effective?

Posted on by John McHugh

saw-palmetto

Saw Palmetto works to reduce the size of the prostate and is effective for some over time. It is in almost every “Men’s Health Vitamin.” Think of it as a weak non prescription form of Proscar or Avodart. As I tell patients who ask me if this an other over the counter meds are worth taking, “It won’t hurt,” I say.

Saw Palmetto article in Medical News Today

The prostatic urethra. The reason men have more trouble voiding after the age of 50.

Posted on by John McHugh

 

“A man spends his first fifty years trying to make a living…the second fifty years trying to make water.”

As you watch the video the  camera progresses in a fashion similar to the flow of urine: That being from the bladder, over the bladder neck, through the prostatic urethra and then out the urethra. (To grandmother’s house we go!)

You’ll note how the prostate lobes close in on the channel and all you see is lobe touching lobe. This usually begins after the age of fifty in men and is responsible for a slowing of the stream and then the things that accompany this such as frequency, urgency and getting up at night.

Medicines for this condition either relax the prostate to open this blockage (Flomax) or shrink the prostate to enlarge the channel (Proscar). If this is unsuccessful, i.e. the gland is too big for the medicine, then surgical options are done to remove the tissue to open the channel. (GreenLight Page.)

What is the most common question we hear about surgery of the prostate?

“Doc, If you are going to cut out the prostate what happens to the urethra? Do you destroy that too?”

Yes the urethra does line the lobes of the prostate and yes it is destroyed and removed. But much like how your hand heals with a cut, the tissue grows back over it-reepithelialization.

Steam therapy for BPH-Does it cause ED?

Posted on by John McHugh

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Conclusions: Convective water vapor thermal therapy provides durable improvement to LUTS for 12 months and urinary flow while preserving erectile and ejaculatory functions.

Note: Most all of the treatments for enlarged prostate cause retrograde ejaculation. Because the prostate channel is opened with procedures to allow a better stream, in doing this the semen is not propelled forward and stays in the urethra. It is then voided out at the next urination. Medically this not an issue but some men do not like the fact that it happens. Retrograde ejaculation has not been noted in Rezum therapy. In addition Rezum in some cases improved sexual function which at this time is unexplained.

Convective Water Vapor Energy Tx (Rezum) of LUTS Preserves Sexual Function

Urology – October 30, 2016 – Vol. 34 – No. 9

Convective water vapor therapy provides durable improvement to lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary flow while preserving erectile and ejaculatory functions.

Article Reviewed: Erectile and Ejaculatory Function Preserved With Convective Water Vapor Energy Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Randomized Controlled Study. McVary KT, Gange SN, et al: J Sex Med; 2016;13 (June): 924-933.

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition concurrent with erectile dysfunction (ED). In recent years, the association between LUTS and ED has been escalating in level of concern by patients and health care providers, as treatment may impact sexual function (SF). The effectiveness of various treatments for LUTS-BPH has been defined, and most patients have some sexual side effects, although differing in type, severity, and frequency. An alternate,minimally invasive therapy utilizing convective water vapor (Rezum) has been shown to provide rapid relief in LUTS.

Objective: To determine whether therapy utilizing convective water vapor energy had any effect on erectile and ejaculatory function.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: In the blinded group (active 136, control 61) comparison occurred at 3 months; the active arm was followed up for up to 12 months for International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Qmax, and for sexual function using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Function (MSHQ-EjD). The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in EF for which subjects perceive as beneficial was determined for each EF severity category.

Results: No treatment- or device-related de novo ED occurred after therapy. The IIEF and MSHQ-EjD function scores were not different from controls at 3 months or from baseline at 1 year. The ejaculatory bother score improved to 31% over baseline (P =0.0011). Also, 32% of subjects achieved MCIDs in EF scores at 3 months and 27% at 1 year, including those with moderate to severe ED.

Conclusions: Convective water vapor thermal therapy provides durable improvement to LUTS for 12 months and urinary flow while preserving erectile and ejaculatory functions.

Reviewer’s Comments: The primary end point was the treatment of LUTS, and therefore, the endeavor to evaluate SF in this context presents an inherent limitation. The MCID suggests an improvement in ED in men with baseline ED is unexplored and a novel finding.(Reviewer–Kevin T. McVary, MD, FACS).

Northeast Georgia Urological Associates is now performing Rezum Therapy  as an out patient procedure in both the office setting and our accredited ambulatory surgery center. You can contact us 24/7 with your number below and we’ll call you to arrange your consultation.

Popular Patient Educational Materials.

Posted on by John McHugh

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Check out the AUA’s latest patient educational materials from the Urology Care Foundation!

We’ve been busy updating and adding new patient education materials to UrologyHealth.org.

Print and share our free materials below with your friends and family.

Pediatric Health

Bladder Health

Prostate Cancer

Kidney Health

Tomatoes and prostates? A tomato a day will keep the urologist away.

Posted on by John McHugh

The apple ain’t got nothing on the tomato!

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Article Reviewed: Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients With Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. Schwarz S, Obermuller-Jevic UC, et al: J Nutr; 2008; 138 (January): 49-53.

Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients With Benign Prostate Hyperplasia.

Schwarz S, Obermuller-Jevic UC, et al:
J Nutr; 2008; 138 (January): 49-53

Background: Lycopene is a carotenoid found in a variety of healthy foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. It has garnered interest in the area of prostate cancer prevention, but has yet to receive adequate attention in the area of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Objective: To determine the serologic, tissue, and clinical impact of higher plasma lycopene levels in patients with histologically proven BPH. Design/Methods: This was a randomized trial of 40 patients who received 15 mg per day of lycopene from a dietary supplement or a placebo for 6 consecutive months. Patients completed 4 visits at the medical practice during the 6-month period at baseline, after 1 month, after 3 months, and after 6 months. The primary end point was the reduction of increased PSA levels. Results: The mean patient age was 67 years and body mass index was 26 (slightly overweight). PSA levels decreased significantly in the lycopene group after 6 months from 6.6 mcg/L to 5.8 mcg/L, and there was no PSA change in the placebo group. Progression of prostate enlargement did not occur in the lycopene group compared to placebo as assessed by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and digital rectal examination (DRE). Disease symptoms according to the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire significantly improved in both groups, but to a greater degree with lycopene. However, the placebo group experienced significantly greater reductions in LDL cholesterol compared to the lycopene group.

Conclusions: Lycopene at a dose of 15 mg/day may inhibit the progression of BPH.

Reviewer’s Comments: Lycopene from diet and supplements has not experienced impressive data as of late in the area of prostate cancer research. Perhaps the earlier use of lycopene in healthy patients with BPH was a more ideal opportunity to test the impact of this supplement. The most impressive finding was not the reduction of PSA by lycopene, but that both groups reduced their intake of overall calories to a large degree during the trial. In the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), men in the placebo arm that reduced their caloric intake also reduced their PSA velocity. In other words, is the lycopene supplement responsible for the favorable impact in this study, or the fact that men reduced caloric intake, which may have also caused the LDL and PSA reductions? (Reviewer–Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH).

Prostate problems? Visit Georgia GreenLight Laser for more information re: the laser treatment of prostate enlargement.

Or if you prefer enter your number below and we’ll contact you with an appointment.

 

What is the Rezum vapor treatment of prostate enlargement?

Posted on by John McHugh

This form of prostate enlargement will soon be offered at Northeast Georgia Urological Associates. It can be performed in both the office setting and in our ambulatory surgery center. Steam is used to shrink the prostate away from the prostatic urethra (the tube through the prostate through which the male urinates) and improve voiding in the male with prostate enlargement. Even though it is a new modality the skills necessary to perform this procedure are used commonly by the practicing urologist.

Rezum Website

If you have questions about this new form of treatment or have an interest in a prostate enlargement treatment that can be done in an office setting please leave your number and we’ll call you with the appointment.

BPH 101-An animation

Posted on by John McHugh

Our nurse practitioner Christie Woodruff found this info-cartoon and thought it would be a helpful in understanding prostate enlargement…in a fun way.

The urologists of Northeast Georgia Urological Associates treat BPH commonly and use both medical and minimally invasive surgical procedures to correct this male issue. You can contact us 24/7 by leaving your number and we’ll call with an appointment.

Does surgical treatment of BPH (benign enlargement not prostate cancer) cause sexual dysfunction?

Posted on by John McHugh

normal-bph-bladder-diagram

Patient’s will commonly confuse the side effects of the surgery of prostate enlargement (difficulty voiding, frequency, small and slow stream, getting up at night) with that of prostate cancer surgery (leakage of urine and deterioration of sexual function).

This is not surprising as in general terms a surgical therapy is being done to the prostate and you’d think the side effects would be similar. However, in cancer surgery the entire gland is removed and in prostate enlargement the channel through the prostate where the urine flows is opened. As a result in BPH surgery (TURP, Button vaporization, GreenLight Laser) opens the channel to improve voiding but does not affect the continence mechanism or the nerves that impact potency. Surgery of the prostate for enlargement does cause retrograde ejaculation (the fluid at time of ejaculation does not come out at all or not as forcibly) but this was not found to have any impact.

The following study confirms this.

Surgical Management of BPH Does Not Reduce Sexual Function

Urology – August 1, 2006 – Vol. 21 – No. 12

Surgical management of BPH does not result in poorer sexual function, nor is there a difference between HoLEP and TURP.

Article Reviewed: Impact on Sexual Function of Holmium Laser Enucleation Versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: Results of a Prospective, 2-Center, Randomized Trial. Briganti A, Naspro R, et al: J Urol; 2006; 175 (May): 1817-1821.

Impact on Sexual Function of Holmium Laser Enucleation Versus Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: Results of a Prospective, 2-Center, Randomized Trial.

Briganti A, Naspro R, et al:
J Urol; 2006; 175 (May): 1817-1821

Background: Mixed data exist in the literature on the effect of surgical intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on sexual function. Design/Objective: This randomized, controlled trial compared the impact of holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on sexual function. Participants/Methods: 120 patients with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms were randomized to either HoLEP or TURP (60 patients in each group). The patients were followed up and completed the validated sexual function inventory in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), as well as a series of global assessment questions at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The patient groups were matched for International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) scores at baseline (21 and 4.5, respectively). The HoLEP group had a larger prostate volume (73 g) than did the TURP group (58 g). The baseline erectile function scores were similar between the 2 groups (21.8 vs 22.1; >25 indicates no erectile dysfunction [ED]), with approximately 50% of patients in both groups having some degree of ED preoperatively. The pharmacological treatment profiles prior to surgery were similar for both groups. Results: At 12 and 24 months after intervention, there was a slight, but statistically insignificant, increase in IIEF erectile function domain score in both groups (approximately a 1.5-point increase), with no difference in scores or degree of improvement between either surgical group. Furthermore, there was no difference in the incidence of retrograde ejaculation between groups. Of note, orgasm function (as scored by the IIEF) was decreased in both groups to a similar extent. There was a strong positive correlation between postoperative IPSS and QOL scores and the erectile function improvement, suggesting that the improvement in urinary function may be integral to sexual function improvement. Conclusions: Surgical intervention for BPH in the forms of HoLEP and TURP had no significant negative effect on erectile function, and no difference was found between the 2 surgical modalities. Reviewer’s Comments: This excellently conducted study sheds significant light on the fact that surgical treatment of BPH likely has little impact on sexual function. Indeed, in some men, function may improve. The inclusion of a validated questionnaire is a major strength of this study. Of note, the reduced orgasm function domain scores are most probably indicative of the nature of orgasm assessment using the IIEF. The questionnaire has only 2 questions on orgasm, one of which pertains to ejaculation. Thus, after surgical management of BPH, the IIEF would not be considered an adequate assessment tool for orgasm. It is worth noting that 50% of men had ED at baseline; therefore, it is conceivable that, in a population of patients with full erectile function at baseline, these results might be different, perhaps even a greater postoperative improvement in erectile function. (Reviewer–John P. Mulhall, MD).