Prostate Artery Embolization for BPH. Anyone have it done?

I had a PAE last week (07-28-2026) for an 85cc prostate. I am a healthy 73 y/o on Active Surveillance for favorable intermediate GG2 (3+4) prostate cancer. So far my observations and experience are as expected. The procedure was painless and completed in 75 minutes. Twilight sedation medications were very effective. In recovery for 2.5 hours to ensure femoral artery entry site was secure.

Initial 36 hours recovery at home was challenging due to painful urination and frequency (20-30 minutes), however I was pushing water to flush kidneys from the sedation and other medications given in the hospital. Didn't sleep much Day 1. By Day 3, the acute pain of urinating began to subside and is no longer present a week out. Post-procedure medications included: pyridium, bactrim, and solifenacin. Constipation was an issue due to the medications during the procedure and post procedure.

As others have shared, this is a non-surgical intervention option for BPH that may not be suitable or successful for everyone. Results in symptom reduction can take months to evaluate. Even if it is only somewhat successful, I would welcome the improvement in LUTS of urgency and frequency. If it fails, it does not preclude a future surgical intervention if desired. Durability is not guaranteed with any treatments for BPH, is my understanding, as prostates grow again over time. So, we shall see.....

Had PAE September 2025. Things have improved alot. Urine flow is better and only getting up once a night. Almost a year later. Still get sensations every now and then but my prostate was big so it takes longer to strink!!

Had PAE in November 2025. Entered via left wrist. Conscious sedation. Outpatient basis. No scars. Had no recovery issues, except antibiotic I was given made me nauseous, but stuck it out. Felt relief in one week and easier urination afterwards. Always measure urine, normally 12-16 ounces. Used micro beads to block prostate arteries. In six months, my urologist did ultrasound and noted no prostate shrinkage. The internal radiologist was willing to try again, he said now he knows my systems. Did same procedure and he said he was much more aggressive. Have had great success so far. Prostate smaller and PSA dropped from 6.72 to 2.74. Urologist initially wanted to do TURP even though biopsy two years ago showed no cancer. I didn’t want to risk sexual effects, so I read about PAE and discussed with radiologist. He said he does it all the time for fibrous on females.