Surgery for enlarged prostate

The operation removes the blockage causing the enlarged prostate, allowing the patient to urinate more quickly and easily. The procedure is performed by the urologist inserting a scope, a very thin tube, into the urethra and scraping out prostate tissue using an electrically charged loop. A catheter is inserted into the bladder after the operation to flush away any bleeding until the next day. The patient is given anesthesia during the operation and can usually go home the day after the operation.

Symptoms improve for most men. You may experience heavy bleeding in your urine immediately after the operation. However, this should subside after a few days. Around 2% of patients experience TURP syndrome a few days after the operation. This can cause slight confusion or nausea, or vomiting. It can also increase blood pressure or cause temporary visual disturbances. There is also a risk of other side effects:

• After TURP, approximately 60% of men lose their ability to ejaculate during orgasm.
• Some will need another operation in the future, as the prostate will grow larger again.

TURP does not cause erectile dysfunction. 

How to find the prostate in men

The male prostate is located around the bladder neck and is found under the base of the bladder. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body.

As you get older, the prostate gland usually gets bigger. When it grows, it can start to squeeze the "bladder neck," making the outlet from the bladder narrower. You'll notice this because you'll start going to the bathroom more often and feel like you can't empty your bladder completely, and your pee will come out slower. Don't ignore this. 

Treatment usually involves medication or surgery (TURP).