Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment in Birmingham
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. It is the most common prostate condition, affecting more than half of men over 50 and the vast majority of men over 70. Mr Syed Ali Shahzad, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, is a specialist in BPH management and offers the full range of treatments, from medication to the latest minimally invasive procedures, at private hospitals across Birmingham.
What Is BPH?
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine passes) just below the bladder. As it enlarges with age, it can compress the urethra and cause a range of urinary symptoms. BPH is not cancer and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, but it can significantly affect quality of life.
Symptoms of BPH
Symptoms are grouped into obstructive and irritative categories:
- Weak or slow urinary stream
- Difficulty starting to urinate (hesitancy)
- Dribbling after urination
- A sense of incomplete bladder emptying
- Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)
- Sudden urge to urinate (urgency)
- Urinary incontinence
Diagnosis
Assessment includes a discussion of symptoms using validated questionnaires (such as the IPSS), physical examination including a digital rectal examination, PSA blood test, urine flow rate measurement and bladder scan. Further investigations such as flexible cystoscopy or urodynamics may be recommended in some cases.
Treatment Options for BPH
Mr Shahzad believes in tailoring treatment to the patient’s symptoms, prostate size, anatomy, lifestyle and personal preferences. Options include:
- Lifestyle modifications: Fluid management, reducing caffeine and alcohol, bladder training.
- Medication: Alpha-blockers (relaxing the prostate muscle), 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (shrinking the prostate), or combination therapy.
- UroLift: A minimally invasive procedure that lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra.
- Rezum therapy: Steam ablation of prostate tissue, preserving continence and sexual function. A designated expert user procedure.
- Aquablation therapy: Water-jet ablation guided by ultrasound and robotic precision, with excellent symptom relief and function preservation.
- Green Light laser prostatectomy: Laser vaporisation of excess prostate tissue.
- TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate): The traditional surgical gold standard for BPH.
Why Choose Mr Shahzad for BPH Treatment?
Mr Shahzad is a designated expert user of Rezum therapy and is trained in Aquablation, UroLift and Green Light laser prostatectomy. He is committed to selecting the treatment that best matches each patient’s anatomy, symptoms and life goals, particularly with regard to preserving sexual function and continence.
Book a BPH Consultation in Birmingham
No GP referral is required. Mr Shahzad is recognised by BUPA, AXA, AVIVA, Vitality, Cigna and WPA and welcomes self-pay patients. Book an appointment or contact us today.
