A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
Frequent trips to the bathroom, interrupted sleep, a weak urine stream, and the feeling that your bladder never fully empties can make everyday life frustrating. If medication is no longer helping, causes unwanted side effects, or is not the right long-term solution for you, surgery is not your only next step.
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive enlarged prostate treatment for certain men with urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Instead of removing prostate tissue through the urethra, the PAE procedure reduces blood flow to specific areas of the gland. This allows the prostate to shrink and gradually relieve pressure on the urinary tract.
At The Vascular Care Group – Lowell, patients can meet with specialists experienced in image-guided vascular care and learn whether prostate embolization fits their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. Our partnership with Tufts Medicine and Commonwealth Radiology Associates brings coordinated, advanced care to Lowell and communities throughout the Merrimack Valley.
Talk With a Lowell PAE Specialist
BPH symptoms can make everyday life more frustrating, from waking up several times a night to constantly looking for the nearest restroom. If medication isn’t providing enough relief, a consultation can help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and whether PAE or another treatment may be right for you.
At our Lowell office, we’ll take the time to review your symptoms, health history, previous testing, current medications, and what you hope to achieve with treatment before discussing your options.
Understanding Prostate Artery Embolization
What Is PAE?
Prostate Artery Embolization is an image-guided procedure used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms related to an enlarged prostate. A vascular specialist guides a thin catheter through an artery to reach the small blood vessels supplying the prostate. The procedure then places microscopic particles into selected arteries to reduce blood flow.
Over time, the treated prostate tissue shrinks. As pressure around the urethra decreases, many patients experience better urine flow, less urgency and frequency, and fewer nighttime bathroom trips. PAE does not involve removing the prostate and does not require instruments to pass through the urethra.
What Happens During the PAE Procedure?
PAE is planned around each patient’s vascular anatomy. Although the details vary, the procedure generally follows these steps:
- The treatment area is numbed, and you may receive medication to help you relax.
- A small access point is made, typically at the wrist or groin, to enter an artery.
- Using real-time X-ray guidance, the physician directs a slender catheter toward the arteries feeding the prostate.
- Tiny embolic particles are delivered into the targeted vessels on one or both sides of the prostate, depending on the anatomy and treatment plan.
- The catheter is removed, and the access site is covered with a small dressing or compression device.
Patients are usually monitored after the procedure and commonly return home the same day. Exact procedure time, access site, medications, and discharge instructions depend on the individual treatment plan.
BPH Symptoms PAE May Help Improve
BPH can narrow the passage through which urine leaves the bladder. PAE may be considered when this contributes to bothersome symptoms such as:
- A slow, weak, or interrupted urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination or the need to strain
- Frequent urination during the day
- Waking several times at night to urinate
- A sudden or difficult-to-control urge to urinate
- The sensation that the bladder has not emptied completely
- Urinary retention or dependence on a catheter in selected cases
These symptoms can also have causes other than BPH. A proper evaluation is important before choosing any enlarged prostate treatment.
What Does the Research Say About PAE?
The American Urological Association recognizes PAE as a treatment option for urinary symptoms caused by BPH. A 2025 study of 1,075 patients found significant, sustained improvements in urinary symptoms and quality of life, with some patients followed for up to five years. PAE also offers a relatively short recovery and a low risk of sexual side effects. However, symptom relief may be less pronounced than with TURP, and some patients may eventually need additional treatment. A consultation can help you weigh these benefits and limitations and decide whether PAE is a good fit for your symptoms, health, and treatment goals.
Could PAE Be Right for You?
You may be a potential candidate for a PAE procedure if you have confirmed BPH and one or more of the following apply:
✓ Urinary symptoms disrupt your daily life
✓ Medication isn’t effective or causes side effects
✓ You want to avoid surgery through the urethra
✓ You have a large prostate or surgical risk factors
✓ Preserving sexual function is a priority
✓ You have urinary retention, prostate-related bleeding, or catheter dependence
PAE is not automatically the right choice for every man with urinary symptoms. Before treatment, your physicians may recommend a urologic evaluation, urine testing, bloodwork, prostate imaging, urinary-flow testing, or other studies. This helps confirm that BPH is driving the problem and rules out conditions such as infection, urethral narrowing, bladder dysfunction, or prostate cancer.
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Why Men Consider PAE for BPH Treatment
The right BPH treatment depends on more than prostate size alone. Symptoms, anatomy, overall health, prior treatment, and personal priorities all matter. For eligible patients, PAE offers several practical advantages:
Minimally Invasive Alternative to Prostate Surgery
Convenient Outpatient Procedure
A Shorter Return to Routine
Lower Risk of Certain Sexual Side Effects
Covered by Most Insurance Plans
Comparing PAE With Other Enlarged Prostate Treatments
| PAE | TURP | Laser Ablation |
UroLift | Medication | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How It Works | Reduces blood flow to the prostate, allowing it to shrink gradually | Removes obstructive prostate tissue | Uses laser energy to remove or vaporize prostate tissue | Uses small implants to hold prostate tissue away from the urethra | Relaxes muscles around the prostate or helps shrink it |
| Access Route | Wrist or groin | Urethra | Urethra | Urethra | N/A |
| Hospital Stay | No | Often Yes | Often Yes | No | N/A |
| Recovery Time | Days | Weeks | Weeks | Days | N/A |
| Symptom Improvement | Gradual; over several weeks or months | Often noticeable soon after recovery | Often noticeable soon after recovery | May begin within several weeks | Varies; may take months for some to reach their full effect |
| Sexual Side Effects | Generally low risk | Higher risk of ejaculation changes | Higher risk of ejaculation changes | Generally low risk | Possible, depending on the medication |
*This chart provides a general comparison. Recovery, risks, and expected results vary. Your physicians can help you compare options based on your prostate anatomy, symptoms, health history, and priorities.
Why Choose The Vascular Care Group of Lowell for PAE?
Men from Lowell, Haverhill, Methuen, Lawrence, Nashua, and neighboring communities can access specialized vascular and interventional care without traveling into Boston for every appointment.
Image-Guided Treatment Expertise
Our Lowell care team includes vascular and interventional specialists trained to navigate complex blood vessels and perform precise, catheter-based procedures.
Collaborative Regional Care
Through our partnership with Tufts Medicine and Commonwealth Radiology Associates, we coordinate evaluation and treatment with other members of your medical team when needed.
Modern Outpatient Setting
The Lowell center is designed for advanced minimally invasive care, with imaging technology and clinical support in a comfortable outpatient environment.
Convenient Merrimack Valley Location
Our office at 1115 Westford Street in Lowell makes specialized care accessible to patients across Greater Lowell, the Merrimack Valley, and Southern New Hampshire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Artery Embolization
Is PAE the same as prostate surgery?
No. PAE is performed through the arteries and does not remove prostate tissue or require a scope to pass through the urethra. It is still a medical procedure and has potential risks, but it avoids traditional surgical access to the prostate.
hen will I notice improvement after the PAE procedure?
PAE works gradually. Some men begin noticing changes within the first few weeks, while improvement may continue over several months as the prostate responds to the reduced blood supply.
What is recovery like after prostate embolization?
Temporary urinary frequency, urgency, burning, fatigue, or pelvic discomfort can occur during the first several days. Many patients return to light activities within a few days, but your physician will give you instructions based on your access site, symptoms, and overall health.
Does PAE affect erections or ejaculation?
PAE is often considered by men who want to reduce the risk of sexual side effects associated with some surgical treatments. The procedure generally has a low risk of erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, but no treatment can guarantee that sexual function will remain unchanged.
How long do PAE results last?
Research shows that many patients maintain meaningful symptom relief for years. BPH can continue to change over time, however, and a small number of patients may eventually need medication, repeat embolization, or another procedure.
Do I need a referral for a PAE consultation?
Referral rules depend on your health plan. You may also need records from your primary care physician or urologist. Contact our Lowell office, and our team will be happy to explain what is required.