The exact cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is not fully understood. Age-related changes in hormones may contribute to prostate growth.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Common BPH symptoms include frequent or urgent urination, waking at night to urinate, difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted stream, dribbling, and feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely.

How does prostate artery embolization treat BPH?

Prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to enlarged prostate tissue. The treated tissue gradually shrinks, relieving pressure on the urethra and improving urinary symptoms for appropriately selected patients.

Who may be a candidate for PAE?

PAE may be considered for men with bothersome urinary symptoms caused by BPH, including patients who have not received enough relief from medication, experience medication side effects, or want to avoid traditional prostate surgery. A consultation and imaging review are needed to determine eligibility.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment

Treatment for BPH in Denver

If you’re waking up often at night, struggling with a weak urine stream, or feeling a sudden urge to go, you may be dealing with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. While common with age, BPH symptoms can disrupt your sleep, confidence, and daily routine.

ECCO Medical offers Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatment for BPH at our outpatient centers in Lone Tree and Pueblo. Serving men across the Denver metro area and southern Colorado, PAE helps reduce prostate size and relieve pressure on the urethra—without the downtime of traditional prostate surgery.

For men who want an alternative to medication or more invasive procedures, PAE may offer meaningful symptom relief with a faster recovery.

Do You Also have Leg Heaviness or Visible Veins?

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system, typically about the size of a walnut, that surrounds the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the body. As men age, the prostate can become enlarged and place pressure on the urethra, making it harder for urine to flow normally.

This condition is known as an enlarged prostate, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is non-cancerous, but it can obstruct the lower urinary tract and lead to uncomfortable urinary symptoms that may interfere with sleep, daily routines, and overall quality of life.

Common symptoms of BPH include:

Weak or interrupted urination
Difficulty starting or controlling urination
Sudden, urgent need to urinate
Increased frequency of urination, especially at night

BPH is very common with age, affecting more than 50–60% of men in their sixties, 70–80% of men in their seventies, and up to 90% of men age 80 or older.

How is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia treated?

In the past, many of the treatments available to men with BPH have been surgical in nature.

We prefer a safer, non-surgical alternative to BPH treatment called Prostate Artery Embolization, or PAE. The is a minimally invasive procedure, requires no general anesthesia, and is performed in our office-based laboratory on an outpatient basis, so there is no need for hospitalization. PAE has extremely low complication rates, with no reports of negative effects on sexual function. The procedure itself is so gentle that it requires almost no recovery time, and patients often report symptom relief within two to three weeks.

What You Need to Know About PAE as a Treatment for BPH

How Does PAE Work?

Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment that helps shrink an enlarged prostate by reducing its blood supply. During the procedure, a small catheter is guided through an artery using advanced imaging. Tiny particles are then placed into the arteries feeding the prostate, which causes the enlarged tissue to gradually shrink and relieve pressure on the urethra.

What Is Recovery Like After PAE?

PAE is performed in an outpatient setting, so most patients return home the same day. Recovery is typically shorter than traditional prostate surgery, with many men returning to normal activities within a few days. Some patients may experience mild soreness, bruising, fatigue, or temporary urinary discomfort, but symptoms often begin improving within a few weeks.

Who Is a Candidate for PAE?

PAE may be an option for men with bothersome urinary symptoms caused by BPH, especially those who want to avoid surgery, general anesthesia, or a long recovery. It may also be considered for patients who have not had enough relief from medication or who experience medication side effects. A consultation and imaging review can help determine whether PAE is the right treatment option.

PAE vs. TURP and Other Treatments

Treatment	Invasiveness	Hospital Stay	Recovery Time	Preserves Sexual Function
PAE	Minimally invasive	No	Days	Yes
TURP	Invasive surgery	Yes	Weeks	Risk of side effects
Medications	Non-surgical	No	Ongoing	Yes
Laser surgery	Invasive	Yes	Weeks	Possible side effect

Why Choose ECCO Medical for Treatment of BPH?

At ECCO Medical, we specialize in minimally invasive, image-guided treatments that help patients find relief without major surgery. For men with BPH, our team offers Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE), an outpatient procedure designed to reduce enlarged prostate symptoms while avoiding many of the risks and recovery challenges associated with traditional surgery.

Our physicians use advanced imaging technology to precisely target the arteries supplying the prostate, allowing for a highly focused treatment approach. With convenient outpatient centers in Lone Tree and Pueblo, ECCO Medical provides personalized care for men across the Denver metro area and southern Colorado who are looking for a nonsurgical option for enlarged prostate relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Treatment for BPH

What makes my prostate grow?

Enlargement of the prostate is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). It occurs when the cells of the prostate gland begin to multiply. These additional cells cause your prostate gland to swell, which squeezes the urethra and limits the flow of urine.

How common is BPH?

BPH is very common. About half of all men between ages 51 and 60 have BPH. Up to 90% of men over age 80 have it.

What causes BPH?

Doctors aren’t sure exactly what makes this happen. Some think it may have to do with normal hormonal changes as you age, but it’s not clear.

Common signs and symptoms of BPH include:

Frequent or urgent need to urinate
Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
Difficulty starting urination
Weak urine stream or a urine flow that stops and starts
Dribbling at the end of urination
Inability to completely empty the bladder
Erectile dysfunction

What can I do if I’m having these symptoms?

In some cases, especially where symptoms are mild, BPH requires no treatment. When treatment is necessary, many men will simply require daily medication(s). If this fails to completely treat the prostate enlargement symptoms, or if there are signs of damage from BPH, the doctor may recommend endoscopic surgery through the penis or traditional surgery to treat BPH.

In contrast, prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed through a small needle puncture in the wrist or hip area. Nothing is inserted in the penis. (A collective sigh of relief, yes?)

How is BPH diagnosed?

Your doctor may evaluate your condition by asking you questions about the severity and type of symptoms you have and how much of an impact they have on your daily routine. Other tests to detect BPH symptoms such as urine flow study, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, ultrasound or prostate MRI may be used to confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other digestive and kidney diseases. It is always a good idea to contact us, even with mild or moderate symptoms to see what exactly is going on.

What treatments are available for BPH?

There are several treatment options for an enlarged prostate gland or symptomatic BPH depending on severity of the symptoms. Most men start with medications. Some of these have side effects. If the symptoms persist and the prostate enlarges or the patient can’t tolerate the medications, urologic procedures can be performed. Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is considered the “gold standard” procedure. This device is inserted through the penis and the offending portion of the prostate is removed. This way, you won’t need major prostate surgery to relieve symptoms. Most patients who are candidates for a TURP as a treatment for BPH could also benefit from a less invasive prostate artery embolization procedure (PAE).

Can I do anything to prevent BPH?

Lifestyle changes can’t prevent BPH, but they may still be good for your prostate. For starters, exercise and a heart-healthy diet can help manage your weight, which is great for your prostate. Exercise also helps your bladder empty at a normal rate.

Is BPH linked to bladder cancer?

There is potential for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) to lead to bladder cancer, as urinary retention can lead to worse issues like cancer in the bladder. Even mild symptoms should be discussed with your doctor, so that potential problems can be identified early and treated.

Is BPH linked to prostate cancer?

There is a chance that BPH can lead to prostate cancer. As always, you should always visit your doctor when you are experiencing painful lower urinary tract symptoms, so the cause can be found and treatment options can be discussed.

Can You Explain Why You Use PAE to Treat BPH?

At ECCO Medical, we offer prostate artery embolization (PAE) as a treatment for frequent urination caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PAE is one of the best BPH treatment options for an enlarged prostate gland. Most patients will have tried medications first, such as an alpha blocker. However, these medications can have side effects such as sexual dysfunction, dry mouth and dizziness. As the prostate enlarges, it puts pressure on the urinary tract making it difficult to urinate. This can lead to frequent urination in the day or night, and it can even lead to urinary tract infections. Urinary urgency, a weak stream and incontinence are common urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the previously enlarged excess prostate tissue, relieving many of the bothersome urinary issues. Prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure performed in an outpatient center. There are no incisions, and nothing is inserted into the penis. This leads to a quicker and less painful recovery compared with the surgical options such as TURP. Dr. Kovaleski has been treating Prostates with PAE in Colorado for nearly a decade. The procedural expertise at ECCO Medical is unmatched in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region.

Dr. Aaron Kovaleski, MD

Kendra Payne, FNP-BC

Kyle Odvody, MS, FNP-BC

Greg Charleston, AGACNP-BC

Arterial Disease

Women's Health

Men's Health

Joint Pain

Venous Issues

Liver Cancer

Non-Healing Wounds

Cosmetic