Benign Prostate Diseases and Male Voiding Dysfunction
Conditions we treat within this category include:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (Enlarged prostate)
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Incontinence
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
One of the most common benign urologic conditions faced by men is benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition in which the prostate is enlarged but is not cancerous. Over 80 percent of men will develop BPH, with 50 percent of men developing the condition by the age of 50. As men age, the prostate continues to grow. In men with BPH, the enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urethra and bladder. This weakens and irritates the bladder resulting in frequent urination, urgency to urinate, decreased urine flow and the feeling that the bladder is still full after urinating.
Other benign conditions include incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which include problems with voiding (release of urine) and obstruction (inability to release urine).
Selected Media
The Northwestern Department of Urology has a longstanding history of achieved breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of common urological conditions such as BPH. In this podcast, Dr. Krambeck discusses holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
In this Better Edge podcast, Amy E. Krambeck, MD, professor of Urology and chief of the Division of Endourology and Stone Disease at Northwestern Medicine, discusses “minimizing” thus improving urologic care in the post-COVID era. She talks about patient backlog management, the shift towards same-day discharge, improved efficiencies with innovative technology, and more. Listen here>>
Research
Inflammation is a significant finding in a variety prostate diseases including prostatitis, BPH, and prostate cancer. Our department studies microbial and autoimmune mediated inflammation and innate and adaptive immune mechanisms in prostate disease. Projects in the lab use a combination of in vitro studies, animal models and clinical specimen assays to improve the understanding of these conditions.
Selected Publications
Predictors of Failed Same-Day Catheter Removal After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate. Urology. Cooley LF, Assmus M, Ganesh M, Lee M, Helon J, Krambeck AE. 2022 Aug 10:S0090-4295(22)00683-5.
Understanding holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) recovery: Assessing patient expectations and understanding. Assmus MA, Lee MS, Large T, Krambeck AE. Can Urol Assoc J. 2021 Aug 26.
Real World Experience Of Holmium Laser Enucleation Of The Prostate With Patients On Anticoagulation Therapy. Agarwal DK, Large T, Stoughton C, Heiman J, Nottingham CU, Rivera ME, Krambeck AE, J Endourol. 2020 Dec 5.
Contemporary practice patterns of transurethral therapies for benign prostate hypertrophy: results of a worldwide survey. Lee MS, Assmus M, Agarwal D, Large T, Krambeck A. World J Urol. 2021 Jun 18.
Patient Care
Our urologists offer a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and treatment of BPH, including behavioral, medical, procedural and surgical options. Treatments are tailored to each patient based on their symptoms, lifestyle and preferences. Learn more