Frequent nighttime urination - Sleepless nights may indicate an enlarged prostate gland

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH for short, stands in medicine for a benign enlarged prostate. Due to its size, the prostate presses on the urethra and thus obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder. The consequences can be numerous. Affected persons have to urinate frequently and suddenly, especially at night, with only a weak urine stream. Furthermore, urinary delay may occur, i.e. difficulty in initiating or terminating the urine stream. Also, the bladder is often emptied only partially and with strenuous pressing. The symptoms are often accompanied by pain and burning during urination.

If the symptoms persist and are not treated, bladder obstruction can occur. However, it does not have to come so far, since BPH is usually well treatable. If the symptoms are mild, treatment with medication may be an option. If the symptoms persist or worsen, surgery may be necessary. There are several options available to those affected. In classic surgery, disturbing tissue is planed off with a wire loop, which can lead to bleeding and scars. A catheter is then inserted, which remains in the body for several days to drain urine.

Also possible is the LIFE laser procedure. This uses a laser fiber to vaporize the excess tissue of the prostate. Since this is a minimally invasive therapy, the procedure can be performed precisely and it spares healthy tissue. Because the laser closes the wound area, laser therapy is also suitable for patients taking blood thinners. There is no need for a blood transfusion. The catheter is used for only a few hours and the patient can often be discharged from the hospital after only one day. The risk of effusion of semen into the bladder is also minimized.