Improving your Prostate Health with Aquablation® Therapy

As men age, it’s normal for the prostate to get bigger. But most men do not experience bothersome symptoms as a result. Trouble urinating or going frequently or urgently is not a normal part of aging. If you have these symptoms, it may be time to explore treatment options.

AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) is the only hospital in western Pennsylvania that offers Aquablation therapy — a special treatment that helps men feel better when dealing with prostate problems, with quick recovery and no sexual side effects.

What causes an enlarged prostate?

While the exact cause of an enlarged prostate — also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — is often unknown, factors like aging, hormonal changes, and genetics may play a role.

If the prostate becomes too enlarged, it can put pressure on the bladder, making it difficult to urinate. Some common symptoms of BPH include:

• Needing to urinate often and suddenly
• Feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bladder after going to the bathroom
• Having a weak urine stream

If you’re age 40 or older or have a family history of enlarged prostate problems, you may be more likely to develop BPH.

What is Aquablation?

Aquablation is a minimally invasive prostate surgery used to treat BPH. Here’s how it works:

• Doctors take ultrasound images of the prostate
• A thin instrument with a strong water jet is inserted into the urethra (the tube you use to pee)
• The water jet sprays a strong stream that removes excess tissue from the prostate

Unlike traditional prostate surgery, like prostatectomies, Aquablation doesn’t leave any cuts on the outside of the body or cause sexual side effects or urine leakage.

“Aquablation is one of the most reliable BPH treatments available,” said Cameron Jones, MD, urologist at AGH. “The technology we use helps us get a clear picture of the prostate, so we can work quickly to relieve symptoms for patients who have often been struggling for many years.”

Is Aquablation right for you?

If other treatments or medications you’ve tried haven’t helped with symptoms, it may be time to explore Aquablation. To see if this therapy is right for you, your AHN urologist will use a small camera tube to look inside your urethra, bladder, and prostate. Based on what they see, you may begin discussing next steps for Aquablation.

Preparing for a smooth surgery and recovery

To prepare for Aquablation, your urologist will have you do an enema (clean out your bowel with a liquid solution) the night before or morning of surgery. This will help give the surgery team a clear view of your prostate. 

An Aquablation procedure usually takes 45 minutes. Once it’s complete, you’ll typically spend just one night in the hospital. You’ll have a catheter — a thin tube inserted in your bladder — which is typically removed before you go home the next day.

What to expect after Aquablation

After the procedure, most people notice an immediate improvement in urination. Erections are typically not affected, and ejaculation is usually preserved.

Some patients may experience bleeding during recovery. Your urologist will follow up with you four to six weeks after surgery to see how you’re doing and talk about how to address possible bleeding while you recover.

Advanced treatment for your prostate health

You don’t have to live with prostate-related symptoms or struggle to use the bathroom. Learn more about how AHN’s urology team can help you feel better and live more comfortably with Aquablation therapy.