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Prostate Artery Embolization for BPH. Anyone have it done?
Men's Health | Last Active: Dec 28, 2025 | Replies (115)Comment receiving replies
I just had PAE a few days ago, they went through the groin area, with Twilight sedation. I could here all the conversations going on during the procedure. No pain, and pretty much 2 days later everything seems good.
When I asked my urologist about PAE he said he was a big fan of it, but the important thing is to get an interventional radiologist that does quite a few of these every year. He mentioned some only do 1 or 2 a year.
So he uses a group that is about all they do, PAE procedures. And it went without a hitch. I choose that way to go as it was the least invasive, and had the least amount of potential side effects. From the studies I have read, you can expect a 40% reduction in size of the prostate by month 3. Then expect 5 to 10 years of relief.
By week 2 Tansulosin, gemtesa, and dutasteride, typically can be discontinued for most. But its mostly trial and error, depending on how your urologist sees things.
It is almost too easy it seems. No real inconvenience in recovery so far, a little burning on urination, frequent urination but not that much. It seems to me that it is the only way to go for reducing the size of ones prostate, as long as you get someone experienced in the procedure.
The only risk I was concerned about was the CT Dye, so you have a CT Angiogram a week ahead of the procedure and then also A ct guided PAE with DYE. That is a double hit. So the thing to focus on is hydration and other methods to reduce the chances of kidney injury from the Dye.
I will try to follow up in a week or so and think if I am thinking the same thing about PAE:)
Replies to "I just had PAE a few days ago, they went through the groin area, with Twilight..."
@riccja
I am now 10 days post PAE, and have the following observations:
1. My recovery went very well
2. Frequent urination during the day lasted 3 days and has now subsided
3. Noturnal urination went from 4 times the first few days, to once now
4.I experienced none of the side effects noted in the post procedure instructions. The plug they put in dissolved and now you cannot even tell where it was put in.
5. I took most of the post procedure meds. All of the CIPRO, all of the steroids. I did not need any pain medication. And the phenazoptridine I took for a day or two, and then stopped.
6. I did not experience any flu like symptoms that the post procedure instructions noted I might experience.
What I do have is burning on urination. However I had that after a cystoscopy that was performed 5 months prior to this procedure and never went away. So it would be difficult to attribute that to the PAE, and most likely a result of an abrasion of the urethra when the cystoscopy was performed.
I have had cystocopies in the past with no pain afterwards, but this one the onset was immediate. And so far I cannot convince my urologist to determine the cause of the pain. He merely said to do pelvic exercises. My preference would have been some test of the uretha wall to see if there is an abrasion or a stricture. But, unfortunately I cannot order that myself.
Overall so far, I would say PAE is by far the best option for enlarged prostates. I did quite a bit of research on the subject before deciding, and my urologist said he was a big fan of PAE, with the caveat, that the person doing the procedure needs to do a lot of them every year. He mentioned most Interventional radiologists in Las Vegas do perhaps one or two a year , if that.
So he uses Blue Ocean International, who comes into his surgery center and performs it there.
The only question then that remains is how long it will be effective, and when I can stop taking the meds I took pre procedure . Flomax , Donepezil and Gemtesa.
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@riccja
Very interesting. Thsnk you for sharing.