Aquablation Therapy: An Advanced Treatment for Enlarged Prostate

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to encourage men to pay attention to changes in their health and talk with a physician about symptoms they may be tempted to ignore. For many men, that includes urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that becomes more common with age. It can cause frequent urination, urgency, waking up several times at night to use the bathroom, difficulty starting urination, a weak stream or the feeling that the bladder is not emptying completely. 

BPH is extremely common, but men do not have to simply live with disruptive urinary symptoms. When urinary problems begin affecting sleep, travel, work or quality of life, talking with a urologist can help patients understand their options. For the right patient, Aquablation therapy may offer an effective alternative to other common BPH procedures.  

“The Aquablation technology uses a heat-free water jet combined with real-time imaging, allowing for precise and controlled removal of excess prostate tissue,” said Dr. Farjaad Siddiq, urologist with Lake Charles Memorial Health System. “Because the procedure avoids heat, we’re able to better preserve surrounding structures that are critical to maintaining function and quality of life.” 

Lake Charles Memorial is the first in the area to offer the procedure, expanding the range of urology treatment options available to men across Southwest Louisiana. 

Men often worry that treating BPH surgically could affect sexual function or lead to incontinence, but Aquablation is designed to reduce that risk. For a good number of patients, it offers significant symptom relief while lowering the risk of those unwanted side effects. 

“For many men, symptoms of BPH are something they quietly live with for years,” said Dr. John Upshaw, urologist with Lake Charles Memorial Health System. “Offering Aquablation here means patients now have convenient access to a leading-edge, effective treatment option, so they can get back to living comfortably and confidently.” 

Not every patient with BPH needs a procedure. Some men may benefit from lifestyle changes or medication. Others may be candidates for Aquablation or another treatment, depending on their symptoms, prostate size, bladder function, overall health and personal goals. 

That is why evaluation by a urologist is important. Symptoms that disrupt sleep or limit daily activities should not be dismissed as simply part of aging. Men should also seek care for difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, recurrent urinary tract infections or the feeling that they cannot fully empty their bladder. 

For more information about Aquablation and urology services at Lake Charles Memorial, visit lcmh.com/urology.