Man discussing prostate artery embolization treatment for BPH at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas in Pasadena, TX

Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) for BPH in Pasadena, TX

At Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas, our interventional radiology team offers prostate artery embolization (PAE) — a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that shrinks the enlarged prostate and relieves urinary symptoms without the risks and recovery of traditional surgery. Endorsed by the American Urological Association, PAE is a safe, effective alternative for men seeking relief from BPH. Call (832) 583-2246 to schedule your consultation in Pasadena, TX .

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What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions affecting older men — a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that develops gradually with age. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As the prostate enlarges, it compresses the urethra and interferes with normal urinary flow, producing a range of bothersome and often disruptive urinary symptoms.

BPH affects an estimated 50% of men in their 50s and up to 90% of men in their 70s and 80s. While it is not a life-threatening condition and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, BPH can significantly impact quality of life — disrupting sleep, limiting daily activity, and causing frustration and embarrassment. Effective treatment options are available, and men should not feel they have to simply live with BPH symptoms. If you are experiencing urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate, contact Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas at (832) 583-2246 for an evaluation in Pasadena, TX .

What Are the Symptoms of BPH?

BPH produces a spectrum of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that can range from mildly bothersome to severely disruptive. Common symptoms include:

  • Frequent urination: Needing to urinate more often than usual, including multiple times during the night (nocturia), disrupting sleep.
  • Urgency: A sudden, strong urge to urinate that is difficult to delay.
  • Weak or slow urinary stream: Reduced force of urine flow, often described as a trickling or weak stream.
  • Difficulty starting urination (hesitancy): Straining or waiting before urine begins to flow.
  • Intermittent stream: Urine flow that starts and stops repeatedly during voiding.
  • Incomplete bladder emptying: A persistent sensation that the bladder has not fully emptied after urination.
  • Dribbling after urination: Continued leaking of urine after finishing at the toilet.
  • Urinary retention: In severe cases, the urethra may become so compressed that urination becomes impossible, constituting a medical emergency.

These symptoms develop gradually and may worsen over time if left untreated. Many men delay seeking treatment out of embarrassment or the assumption that urinary changes are simply a normal part of aging — but effective, minimally invasive treatment is available at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas. Call (832) 583-2246 to discuss your symptoms with our team in Pasadena, TX .

What Is Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)?

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure performed by our interventional radiologists at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas to treat symptomatic BPH by reducing the size of the enlarged prostate. The procedure works by deliberately blocking the small arteries that supply blood to the prostate — causing the glandular tissue to shrink over time and relieving the pressure on the urethra that produces urinary symptoms.

PAE is now recognized as a proven treatment option for BPH, endorsed by the most recent guidelines of the American Urological Association (AUA). A growing body of clinical evidence demonstrates that PAE produces significant and durable improvements in urinary symptoms, urinary flow, and quality of life — comparable to surgical outcomes in appropriately selected patients — with a lower risk of complications and a much faster recovery. Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas collaborates closely with urologist colleagues throughout Pasadena, TX to ensure every patient receives an individualized, multidisciplinary evaluation before proceeding with PAE.

How Is Prostate Artery Embolization Performed?

PAE is performed by our board-certified interventional radiologists under conscious sedation using advanced fluoroscopic and angiographic imaging guidance. Here is a step-by-step overview of the procedure:

  • Access: A thin catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the skin — typically at the wrist or groin — into an artery. No surgical incision or general anesthesia is required.
  • Angiography: Contrast dye is injected and real-time X-ray imaging is used to map the prostatic arteries and identify the specific vessels supplying the enlarged prostate tissue.
  • Embolization: Tiny microspheres — embolic particles smaller than a grain of sand — are injected precisely through the catheter into the prostatic arteries on both sides of the gland. These particles lodge within the vessels, blocking blood flow to the prostate and initiating a gradual reduction in gland size.
  • Completion: The catheter is removed and the access site is closed with simple compression or a closure device. No stitches are required.

The procedure typically takes one to two hours. Most patients at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas are treated on an outpatient basis and return home the same day. Prostate shrinkage — and associated symptom relief — develops progressively over the weeks and months following the procedure as the treated tissue involutes. Call (832) 583-2246 with any questions about what to expect during your PAE in Pasadena, TX .

PAE vs. Surgery: What Are the Differences?

The most common surgical treatment for BPH is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), in which a resectoscope is passed through the penis and urethra to remove prostate tissue. While TURP is effective, it requires general or spinal anesthesia, a hospital stay, and carries specific risks including retrograde ejaculation (in a high percentage of cases), urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. Prostate artery embolization offers a compelling non-surgical alternative:

  • No general anesthesia: PAE is performed under conscious sedation, significantly reducing anesthetic risk — particularly important for older men with underlying health conditions.
  • No instruments through the urethra: Unlike TURP or other endoscopic procedures, PAE requires no passage of instruments through the penis, avoiding the associated discomfort and urethral trauma.
  • Lower risk of sexual side effects: PAE has a significantly lower rate of retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction compared to TURP, making it particularly appealing for sexually active men.
  • Same-day discharge: Most patients go home the same day, compared to one to several days of hospitalization following TURP.
  • Rapid return to activity: Most patients resume normal daily activities within a few days of PAE, compared to several weeks of recovery following surgery.
  • Surgery remains an option: Undergoing PAE does not foreclose surgical options — men can still proceed to TURP or other surgical procedures if needed. Our team also works alongside urologist colleagues to perform PAE immediately before certain prostate surgeries to reduce intraoperative bleeding in selected cases.

What Are the Disadvantages of PAE?

While PAE is an excellent option for many men with BPH, it is important to have an honest discussion about its limitations. Potential disadvantages include:

  • Incomplete symptom relief: A minority of patients may experience only partial improvement in urinary symptoms after PAE, particularly those with very large prostates or complex anatomy.
  • Delayed results: Unlike surgical procedures that produce more immediate anatomical changes, PAE’s benefits develop gradually over weeks to months as the prostate shrinks in response to embolization.
  • Need for repeat treatment: A small percentage of patients may require a repeat PAE or ultimately proceed to surgery if initial results are insufficient.
  • Post-embolization syndrome: Some patients experience temporary flu-like symptoms, mild pelvic discomfort, or urinary irritation in the days following the procedure as the body responds to the treated tissue. These effects are generally mild and self-limiting.
  • Rare complications: Infection and non-target embolization — where embolic particles inadvertently affect nearby structures — are rare but possible risks that our team takes every precaution to prevent through precise imaging guidance.

Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas will review all of these factors with you and your urologist during your consultation to determine whether PAE is the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation. Call (832) 583-2246 to schedule your evaluation in Pasadena, TX .

Should I See a Urologist Before PAE?

Yes — and at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas, we strongly encourage and often require urological evaluation as part of our comprehensive PAE workup. Our interventional radiology team works in close collaboration with urologist colleagues to ensure that every patient referred for PAE has received a thorough evaluation, that BPH is the correct diagnosis, and that PAE is the most appropriate treatment option given the patient’s anatomy, symptom severity, and overall health. In some cases, surgical management may be a better fit — and we are committed to helping each patient arrive at the right answer, not simply the answer that leads to a procedure. We may refer you to a urology colleague before proceeding if we feel a surgical evaluation is warranted. Call Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas at (832) 583-2246 to discuss the evaluation process in Pasadena, TX .

Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Artery Embolization

Am I a good candidate for prostate artery embolization?

PAE is most appropriate for men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms who have not responded adequately to medication, or who wish to avoid the risks and recovery associated with surgical options such as TURP. Ideal candidates are typically men with a prostate volume of 40–300cc, significant urinary symptoms, and no evidence of prostate cancer requiring surgical treatment. Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas — in collaboration with our urology colleagues — will review your symptom score, prostate size on imaging, and overall health to determine whether you are a good candidate for PAE. Call (832) 583-2246 to schedule your consultation in Pasadena, TX .

Does prostate artery embolization affect sexual function?

One of the key advantages of PAE over surgical options like TURP is its significantly lower impact on sexual function. TURP carries a high rate of retrograde ejaculation — in which semen travels backward into the bladder during orgasm — and some risk of erectile dysfunction. PAE has been shown in multiple clinical studies to have a much lower rate of these sexual side effects, and in some cases patients even report improvements in sexual function following the procedure due to reduced prostate congestion. Our team will discuss your individual concerns about sexual function during your pre-procedure consultation at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas.

How long does it take to see results after PAE?

Unlike surgical procedures that produce more immediate anatomical changes, the benefits of PAE develop progressively over time as the embolized prostate tissue shrinks. Most patients begin to notice meaningful improvement in urinary symptoms within four to eight weeks following the procedure, with continued improvement over the following three to six months as the prostate continues to decrease in size. Clinical studies report sustained symptom relief at one, two, and three-year follow-up in the majority of patients treated with PAE.

What is post-embolization syndrome and should I be concerned?

Post-embolization syndrome refers to a cluster of temporary symptoms — including mild pelvic or perineal discomfort, low-grade fever, fatigue, and urinary irritation — that some patients experience in the days following PAE as the body responds to the treated prostate tissue. These symptoms are a normal indicator that the embolization is working and typically resolve within one to two weeks with rest and over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas will prepare you for these expected effects and provide guidance on managing them at home. Call (832) 583-2246 if your symptoms seem more severe or prolonged than expected.

Can PAE be repeated if my symptoms return?

Yes — if BPH symptoms recur after an initial PAE, a repeat embolization procedure is often technically feasible and can be considered as a first option before moving to surgical management. The decision to repeat PAE depends on the degree of symptom recurrence, prostate re-growth on follow-up imaging, and the patient’s overall goals and preferences. Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas will evaluate your post-procedure imaging and symptoms at follow-up and discuss the most appropriate next steps if additional treatment becomes necessary.

Is prostate artery embolization covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for PAE is expanding as the procedure gains broader recognition, including endorsement in the American Urological Association’s BPH guidelines. Coverage varies by insurer and plan, and some carriers may still classify PAE as investigational depending on the specific policy. Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas will assist you with benefits verification and prior authorization support to clarify your coverage before scheduling the procedure. Call our office at (832) 583-2246 for help with insurance questions in Pasadena, TX .

How does PAE compare to other minimally invasive BPH procedures like UroLift or Rezum?

UroLift, Rezum (water vapor therapy), and PAE are all minimally invasive alternatives to TURP for BPH, but they work through different mechanisms and are suited to different patient profiles. UroLift uses small implants to mechanically hold the enlarged prostate lobes apart, while Rezum uses water vapor to destroy prostate tissue through the urethra. Both require passage of instruments through the urethra. PAE, by contrast, works entirely through the vascular system without any urethral instrumentation and is particularly well-suited for men with very large prostates or those who strongly prefer to preserve ejaculatory function. Our team at Minimally Invasive Specialists of Texas and our urology colleagues can help you evaluate which option is best suited to your anatomy, symptoms, and goals.