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News & Events

Understanding UroLift: Your Guide to Enlarged Prostate Treatment

Posted on by Dr. Ori Hampel

Living with an enlarged prostate—also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—can significantly affect a man’s quality of life, causing symptoms like frequent urination, weak urine flow, or incomplete bladder emptying.

Fortunately, advances in treatment have made it easier to manage BPH without invasive surgery. One promising option is UroLift, a minimally invasive procedure designed to relieve symptoms quickly and effectively. Below, we look at UroLift’s uses, benefits, risks, and how it compares to other treatments.

What Is UroLift?

UroLift is an innovative, minimally invasive procedure used to treat BPH by lifting and holding the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, restoring normal urine flow. Unlike other treatments, UroLift doesn’t involve cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Instead, it uses small, permanent implants to relieve the blockage caused by the prostate’s enlargement, improving urinary function with minimal downtime.

Who Is UroLift for?

The UroLift System is recommended for men with moderate to severe BPH, especially those who:

  • Experience bothersome urinary symptoms, such as frequent urination, weak stream, or trouble starting/stopping urination
  • Are looking for a non-surgical treatment that preserves sexual function
  • Prefer a quick recovery with minimal disruption to their routine
  • Cannot or prefer not to take daily medications for BPH management

UroLift may not be suitable for individuals with very large prostates or those with other underlying urological conditions. Consulting with a urologist like board-certified urologist, Dr. Hampel is essential to determine if this treatment is right for you.

UroLift Procedure Overview

The UroLift procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and takes around one hour. Here’s what to expect:

  • Preparation: The procedure is typically done under local or light sedation, meaning most patients stay awake but feel minimal discomfort.
  • Implant Placement: A small instrument is inserted through the urethra to access the prostate. The device places tiny implants to pull back the obstructive prostate tissue, creating a clear path for urine to flow.
  • Immediate Results: Once the implants are in place, patients often notice an immediate improvement in urinary symptoms.

Since no tissue is removed, no catheter is required in most cases, and patients can go home the same day.

What Are the Benefits of UroLift?

The UroLift System offers several advantages over traditional BPH treatments:

  • Minimally invasive: No cutting or heating of tissue
  • Quick recovery: Many patients resume normal activities within a few days
  • Preserves sexual function: UroLift has a low risk of sexual side effects, unlike some other BPH treatments
  • Immediate symptom relief: Many patients experience a noticeable improvement within a few days
  • Long-lasting results: Clinical studies show durable symptom relief for up to 5 years after the procedure

Possible Side Effects and Risks

Like any medical procedure, UroLift carries some risks, but they are generally mild and temporary. Some potential side effects include:

  • Urinary discomfort or burning during urination (usually resolves in a few days)
  • Blood in urine for a short period
  • Urgency or frequency of urination immediately after the procedure
  • In rare cases, implant dislodgement or infection

These side effects usually improve on their own within a week or two. If symptoms persist, follow-up with your healthcare provider is recommended.

Post-Procedure Care

After UroLift, most patients experience minimal downtime. Here’s what to expect during recovery:

  • Resume normal activities: Most patients return to regular routines within 2-3 days.
  • Hydrate well: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out the urinary system.
  • Temporary symptoms: Some urinary discomfort or frequency may occur but should improve within a few days.
  • Follow-up visit: A follow-up appointment with your urologist ensures everything is healing properly and functioning as expected.

Following these post-procedure guidelines can help ensure a smooth recovery.

Clinical Evidence Supporting UroLift

The UroLift System is backed by clinical trials and long-term studies showing significant improvements in urinary symptoms, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Research demonstrates that UroLift offers effective relief without compromising sexual function, which is a common concern with other treatments. Many patients report lasting results for up to five years after the procedure.

Comparing UroLift to Other BPH Treatments

When it comes to managing BPH, patients have several treatment options. Here’s how UroLift compares:

  • Medications (Alpha Blockers or 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors): These drugs can relieve symptoms but may cause side effects like dizziness or decreased libido. Medications also require lifelong use.
  • TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate): A surgical procedure that involves removing part of the prostate. While effective, it requires general anesthesia and comes with a longer recovery time and higher risk of sexual dysfunction.
  • Laser Therapy: Uses heat to remove excess tissue, offering faster recovery than surgery but still carries some risk of urinary or sexual side effects.

Compared to other treatments, UroLift offers a faster, non-surgical option with fewer risks, particularly for preserving sexual function, and it allows patients to avoid long-term medication use.

For many patients, it strikes the right balance between effectiveness, convenience, and quality of life. However, it’s essential to consult with Dr. Hampel to determine the best treatment based on your individual needs.

Final Thoughts: Is UroLift Right for You?

UroLift is a game-changer for men with BPH who want fast relief without major surgery or long recovery times. With minimal downtime, preservation of sexual function, and lasting symptom relief, it offers an attractive alternative to traditional treatments.

If you or someone you know is struggling with BPH symptoms, talk to Dr. Ori Hampel about whether UroLift is the right solution. Managing an enlarged prostate doesn’t have to disrupt your life—and with the right treatment, you can get back to living comfortably and confidently.

Call (713) 477-8600 to schedule a consultation in our urology clinic in Pasadena and Webster, TX to see if UroLift is the right choice for you!

How To Know If You Have Low Testosterone

Posted on by Dr. Ori Hampel

One thing that differentiates men from women is the level of testosterone a male has. Testosterone is a sexual hormone mainly produced by males, although females have some small amount. The level of testosterone is important for normal sexual development and function. How to know if you have low testosterone?

Purpose Of Testosterone

A man’s level of testosterone helps him develop strong bones and muscle strength. It helps a man have a deeper voice, hair growth on the body and face, plus the production of sperm and sexual drive.

A man’s testosterone level declines as he gets older. The American Urology Association says that if a man has less than 300 nanograms (ng) of the hormone per deciliter (di) of blood, his testosterone level is low. Two out of ten men over the age of 60 have low T. This increases to three out of ten for men in their 70s or 80s. Normal range of testosterone is between 300 – 1000 ng/dl.

What are some signs of low testosterone?

Decline Of Sex Drive

As men get older, they can expect some drop in sexual drive, but with low T, a man will experience a noticeable drastic drop.

Trouble Getting An Erection

The hormone testosterone not only aids in sexual drive like getting an erection, but it also helps men maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction may become problematic.

Low Volume Of Semen

With low T, you will notice a decrease in the volume of your semen.

Loss Of Muscle Mass And Hair

Low T plays a role in lower muscle mass but not in strength. Another sign of low T is hair loss, although you may be balding due to heredity. Additional hair loss on the body and face is due to low testosterone levels.

Additional signs of low testosterone include the following:

  • Some memory loss
  • Smaller than normal size testicles
  • Increased risk of anemia
  • Risk of depression, irritability, and lack of focus
  • Increase in body fat including enlarged breasts
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Decrease in energy

Contact Dr. Ori Hampel at (713) 477-8600 for a diagnosis and treatment options if you are experiencing any of these signs of low testosterone.

Kidney Stones in Kids: What Parents Should Know

Posted on by Dr. Ori Hampel

Although most kidney stones affect adults, sometimes children can get them too, even babies. Teens are more likely to have kidney stones than younger children. Concentrated urine is but one of the culprits causing kidney stones in kids. Keep reading to discover what you should know.

Increasing Numbers

There seems to be more kids getting kidney stones than ever before. Too much salt in their diet from eating prepackaged foods, not drinking enough water, too much calcium in the urine, and not getting sufficient amounts of citric acid from fruits all contribute to kids getting kidney stones.

Children that are prone to sitting for long periods and not getting enough exercise can be more at risk for kidney stones. When children aren’t moving, such as the recovery period after an injury or surgery, extra calcium is released into the blood. Being obese can also make a child more at risk for kidney stones.

When it gets very hot in the summer, we can sweat less, not drink enough water and consequently not urinate as much. This concentrates the urine.

Children can also be at risk for kidney stones if they run in your family.

Size Means Nothing

Even a stone as small as a pinhead can cause lots of pain for your teen or younger child. When there is a high concentration of crystal forming substances like oxalate, calcium, and uric acid in the urine, stones develop.

Tip: be sure your teens are drinking lots of water, especially in the summer.

Even the tiniest stone can be severely painful and come on suddenly. When a stone is in the kidneys, there is no pain. When it begins to move into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, it can cause a blockage leading to swelling of the kidney, and that is the reason it is so painful.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones in Kids

Sometimes a kidney stone may pass on its own, but it still may be painful.

Sudden onset pain may be the first symptom of a kidney stone.

Other symptoms include the following: 

  • Frequent and painful urination
  • Pain in the lower back or on the sides
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cloudy urine or seeing blood in the urine
  • Urinary tract infections and fever

The pain can come and go in waves. If possible, strain your child’s pee for a few days to see if you can catch the stone. Dr. Ori Hample can evaluate the type and provide advice for preventing another stone in the future.

Other Precautions

In addition to drinking lots of water, limit salt and protein in your child’s diet, and avoid dark sodas and sports drinks. You want to see almost clear urine to know your child is drinking enough water.

Contact Dr. Ori Hample  at (713) 477-8600 if your child has any signs or symptoms of a kidney stone. We can provide prompt diagnosis and treatment at our office in Southeast Houston, TX .

Sources:

Symptoms & Causes of Kidney Stones in Children – NIDDK (nih.gov) 

Kidney Stones (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth 

Kidney Stones in Children | Johns Hopkins Medicine 

When To See A Urologist For Kidney Stone Treatment

Posted on by Dr. Ori Hampel

Ask anyone who has ever passed a kidney stone if they would like to do it again. Chances are, your answer will be an immediate “no!”

It can be one of the most painful things, maybe next to childbirth, we can endure. They will tell you to run to a urologist if you have certain symptoms, and they will tell you once you have a kidney stone, you are likely to have more. Then they will explain the importance of and when to see a urologist for kidney stone treatment.

Continue reading “When To See A Urologist For Kidney Stone Treatment”

Why Women Should Seek Treatment For Bladder Leakage

Posted on by Dr. Ori Hampel

If you have occasional bladder leakage but are too embarrassed to reveal this to your physician, you are not alone. Although this is a very common issue, it is believed that half of women do not report this to their doctor. Focus on the fact that bladder leakage is a treatable condition. Unless you want to battle this on your own for the rest of your life, read about the reasons why women should seek treatment for bladder leakage, and what those treatments are.

Continue reading “Why Women Should Seek Treatment For Bladder Leakage”

What’s The Difference Between BPH And Prostate Cancer?

Posted on by Dr. Ori Hampel

What’s the difference between BPH and prostate cancer? The most important difference is that BPH, or an enlarged prostate gland, is not cancerous. It doesn’t mean you won’t ever get prostate cancer, but an enlarged prostate is a common condition as men get older. Let’s explain further.

Continue reading “What’s The Difference Between BPH And Prostate Cancer?”