Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Specialist

Kiavash Nikkhou, MD Our Services Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Kiavash Nikkhou, MD

Board Certified Urologist & Kidney Stone Specialist located in Thousand Oaks, CA

About 50% of men aged 51-60 suffer from prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) today. Board-certified urologist Kiavash Nikkhou, MD, understands how BPH can affect your quality-of-life, and he’s here to help with treatment options tailored to your symptoms and prostate anatomy. Book your appointment in Thousand Oaks, California, office by phone or schedule online today.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Q & A

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH, a noncancerous condition, means enlarged prostate gland. Your prostate gland wraps around your urethra, the tube you urinate through. As your prostate gland grows larger, it compresses your urethra and causes a variety of lower urinary tract problems. 

BPH occurs in most men over time. By the age of 85, 90% of men have BPH.

What are the signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

BPH symptoms usually include:

  • Weak urine stream
  • Difficulty starting to urinate
  • Dribbling when stopping urination
  • Increased urinary frequency
  • Increased urinary urges
  • Feeling that you can't fully empty your bladder
  • Increased nighttime urination

Untreated, BPH can potentially lead to serious secondary issues like recurring urinary tract infections, bladder diverticulum (pouches in the bladder), bladder stones, and urinary retention (inability to urinate). 

How do you diagnose benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Dr. Nikkhou performs a medical history and conducts a physical exam, including a digital rectal exam. You may have a urine test, prostate-specific antigen blood test, and other lab tests at this time. 

You'll answer a short series of questions to get an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). These questions help Dr. Nikkhou to determine the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your quality-of-life.

In some cases, Dr. Nikkhou may also perform tests like ultrasound or cystoscopy for direct bladder visualization.

How is benign prostatic hyperplasia treated?

BPH treatment varies with symptoms severity and your prostate anatomy. For mild symptoms, Dr. Nikkhou may recommend a watch-and-wait approach along with lifestyle changes. 

For moderate-to-severe symptoms, there are an array of choices, including:

Medication

Dr. Nikkhou may prescribe oral medication, but if so, you take it for the rest of your life to keep symptoms at bay. Also, certain medications may have side-effects like erectile dysfunction. 

UroLift®

UroLift is a minimally invasive in-office procedure in which Dr. Nikkhou places tiny clips to reposition excess prostate tissue and open your urethral channel. This procedure requires no incisions or tissue removal, and you'll have minimal downtime. UroLift doesn’t cause sexual side-effects.

Robotic minimally invasive surgery

In this surgery, Dr. Nikkhou, a highly-skilled robotic surgeon, controls the state-of-the-art da Vinci robot to make tiny incisions in your abdomen and remove your prostate. Robotic surgery is much less invasive than traditional open (large incision) prostate surgery and has a far lower risk of complications like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Dr. Nikkhou may recommend this option for very large prostates.

Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)

TURP is a surgery in which Dr. Nikkhou removes the part of your prostate that obstructs your urethra. This procedure may be a good option for smaller prostates, as increased prostate size can cause a higher risk of TURP complications. 

Dr. Nikkhou explains all the treatment alternatives so you can make an educated choice. 

Book your consultation online or by calling Kiavash Nikkhou, MD, today.

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