UroLift for an enlarged prostate in Newcastle
UroLift is a minimally invasive treatment for urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. It uses small implants to hold the prostate tissue away from the urine channel, helping urine flow more freely without cutting, heating or removing prostate tissue.
Tyneside Urology Partners provides UroLift treatment in Newcastle for selected men with enlarged prostate symptoms who want to discuss a function-preserving option. Treatment suitability depends on your symptoms, prostate size and shape, bladder function, medical history and a specialist consultation.
What is UroLift?
UroLift is the brand name for a procedure known as prostatic urethral lift. It is used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement. Benign means non-cancerous.
The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can press on the urethra and narrow the channel that urine passes through. This can cause symptoms such as weak flow, hesitancy, straining, urgency, frequency or waking at night to pass urine.
UroLift works by placing small permanent implants that hold the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra. This opens the urine channel and can help reduce obstruction without removing prostate tissue.
Because UroLift does not involve cutting, heating or removing prostate tissue, it is often considered by men who want to discuss a minimally invasive treatment option that aims to preserve sexual and ejaculatory function. It is not suitable for every prostate size or shape, so assessment is important before treatment is recommended.
Why UroLift may be considered
UroLift may be considered for men with enlarged prostate symptoms who want to improve urine flow while avoiding some of the features of larger prostate operations. It works mechanically by holding the prostate lobes apart, rather than removing or destroying tissue.
For some men, preserving sexual and ejaculatory function is an important part of choosing treatment. UroLift is designed with this aim in mind, although no treatment can guarantee preservation of sexual or ejaculatory function.
The purpose of assessment is to check whether your prostate anatomy is suitable for UroLift. Your clinician will consider the size and shape of the prostate, your bladder emptying, symptom severity, previous treatments and overall health before advising whether it is a reasonable option.
Who UroLift is for
UroLift may be suitable for selected men with urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement. Specialist assessment may be helpful if you:
- Have bothersome symptoms from an enlarged prostate
- Have a weak or slow urine flow
- Have difficulty starting urination
- Need to strain to pass urine
- Feel that your bladder does not empty fully
- Wake at night to pass urine
- Want to discuss a minimally invasive treatment option
- Want to avoid prostate tissue removal where possible
- Want to discuss preserving sexual and ejaculatory function
- Have not had enough improvement with medication or do not want long-term medication
UroLift is not suitable for everyone. Your clinician will discuss your symptoms, examine you where appropriate and explain whether this treatment is a reasonable option for you.
Common symptoms UroLift may help with
UroLift may be discussed when urinary symptoms are thought to be caused by an enlarged prostate. These symptoms can overlap with bladder problems, infection or other urological conditions, so careful assessment is important.
Some people need catheter drainage for longer than a short-term episode. In these situations, a suprapubic catheter may be considered because it can be easier to manage and more comfortable for selected patients.
Some men find it difficult to start passing urine or need to strain. This can happen when the bladder has to work harder to push urine through a narrowed channel.
A feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully can occur when urine remains in the bladder after passing urine. This can be linked to prostate obstruction, bladder muscle function or both.
An enlarged prostate can contribute to needing to pass urine more often or waking at night to use the toilet. These symptoms can also be linked to bladder overactivity, so assessment helps guide the right treatment plan.
What Tto expect
UroLift treatment is carried out in a clinical setting. The exact pathway will depend on your symptoms, prostate assessment, general health and your clinician’s recommendation.
You will begin with a consultation to discuss your urinary symptoms, how long they have been present and how they affect your daily life. Your clinician will ask about urine flow, urgency, night-time urination, infections, previous treatments and any medicines you are taking.
Tests may include urine testing, a flow test, bladder scan to check emptying, prostate assessment and further investigations where needed. These help confirm whether symptoms are likely to be caused by benign prostate enlargement and whether UroLift is suitable.
Your clinician will explain what UroLift involves, what it may help with, what the limitations are and what side effects can occur.
If UroLift is suitable, the implants are placed through the urethra using a specialist delivery system. There are no external cuts in the abdomen.
The implants are positioned to hold the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urine channel. This helps widen the urethra so urine can pass more freely.
The anaesthetic or pain-control plan will be confirmed by your clinician before treatment. UroLift is often carried out as a day-case procedure, but your individual pathway will depend on your clinical situation and local arrangements.
Recovery varies between patients. Many men return home the same day, although this will be confirmed as part of your treatment plan.
Some urinary symptoms are common during the early recovery period. These may include stinging when passing urine, urgency, frequency, pelvic discomfort or a small amount of blood in the urine. These symptoms often settle as healing progresses.
A catheter is often not needed after UroLift, but some men may need one for a short time. Your clinician will confirm what to expect based on your symptoms, bladder emptying and procedure details.
Follow-up allows your clinician to check your recovery and review whether symptoms are improving. Improvement can develop over the following weeks as irritation settles and the urine channel remains open.
If symptoms do not improve as expected, or if they return over time, your clinician will discuss whether further assessment or another treatment is needed.
Benefits of UroLift
UroLift may offer a minimally invasive option for selected men with enlarged prostate symptoms.
No prostate tissue removed
UroLift works by holding prostate tissue away from the urethra. It does not involve cutting, heating or removing prostate tissue.
Designed to preserve sexual function
UroLift is designed to preserve sexual and ejaculatory function. Individual results vary and this cannot be guaranteed, but this is one of the reasons some men consider the treatment.
Often a day-case procedure
UroLift is often performed as a day-case procedure. Your clinician will confirm the planned setting, anaesthetic approach and discharge arrangements before treatment.
May reduce the need for long-term medication
Some men consider UroLift because they have not had enough benefit from medication, have side effects from medication or would prefer to discuss a procedural option. Whether medication can be reduced or stopped depends on your individual response and will be discussed with your clinician.
Risks and side effects
UroLift is minimally invasive, but it can still cause side effects and is not suitable for everyone.
Possible risks and side effects may include:
- Stinging or burning when passing urine
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Pelvic discomfort
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infection
- Temporary difficulty passing urine
- Need for a catheter in some cases
- Symptoms not improving as expected
- Need for further prostate treatment in the future
- Implant-related discomfort or problems, although these are uncommon
- Anaesthetic-related risks where anaesthetic is used
You should seek medical advice if you develop a high temperature, worsening pain, heavy bleeding, inability to pass urine, or feel very unwell after treatment.
Your clinician will explain the potential risks, benefits and limitations before treatment goes ahead.
UroLift and enlarged prostate treatment decisions
UroLift is one of several treatment options for urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement. It can be considered when symptoms are troublesome and assessment suggests the prostate size and shape are suitable.
The right treatment depends on several factors, including symptom severity, prostate anatomy, bladder emptying, medication history, general health and personal preferences. Some men may be better suited to medication, another minimally invasive treatment or a different prostate procedure.
Your consultation will help you compare the options that are appropriate for you. The aim is to choose a treatment plan based on clear assessment rather than symptoms alone.
Private UroLift treatment near Newcastle
Tyneside Urology Partners provides private UroLift treatment near Newcastle from its clinic in Team Valley, Tyne & Wear. The clinic serves patients from Newcastle, Gateshead, Tyneside and across the North East.
A consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss enlarged prostate symptoms, prostate assessment and treatment options in a specialist setting. Your clinician will explain whether UroLift may be suitable and whether further assessment is needed before any procedure is agreed.
Frequently asked questions
- Will UroLift affect my sex life?
UroLift is designed to preserve sexual and ejaculatory function. Individual results vary and no treatment can guarantee this, but your clinician will discuss the expected risks and benefits in your situation.
- Will I need a catheter after UroLift?
Many men do not need a catheter after UroLift, or only need one briefly. This depends on your bladder emptying, symptoms and procedure details. Your clinician will confirm what to expect before treatment.
- How soon will I notice improvement?
Some men notice improvement relatively quickly, while for others symptoms improve over several weeks. Recovery varies, and early urinary irritation can occur before symptoms settle.
- Is UroLift suitable for any size of prostate?
No. UroLift is best suited to selected prostate sizes and shapes. Your clinician will assess your prostate and explain whether UroLift or another treatment is more appropriate.
- How much time will I need off work?
Many men return to normal activities fairly quickly, but recovery varies. Your clinician will give advice based on your procedure, symptoms, job and how you feel afterwards.
- Could I need further treatment in future?
Yes, some men may need further treatment over time if symptoms do not improve enough or return later. Your clinician will discuss this possibility before treatment and review your progress at follow-up.
Find out whether UroLift is right for you
If you have urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate and want to discuss a minimally invasive option that aims to preserve function, a specialist consultation can help you understand whether UroLift may be suitable.
