Contents
- Understanding Nocturia
- Enlarged Prostate: A Leading Cause of Nighttime Urination in Men
- Why Ignoring Symptoms Can Make Things Worse
- What Is Prostate Artery Embolization
- Benefits of PAE for Enlarged Prostate
- How Is Enlarged Prostate Diagnosed
- When to Consider Treatment
- Life After Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep and Relief
Waking up once during the night to use the bathroom might not seem unusual. But if you are getting up two, three, or even five times every night, that is not just an inconvenience. It is a signal.
Frequent urination at night, known as nocturia, is often dismissed as a normal part of getting older. Many men simply accept it. They adjust their routines. They cut back on evening fluids. They tell themselves it is just aging.
But persistent nighttime urination is often a symptom of something else. One of the most common causes in men is an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
If nocturia is disrupting your sleep, affecting your energy, or interfering with your quality of life, it may be time to look beyond aging and explore real solutions.
Understanding Nocturia
Nocturia refers to waking up during the night to urinate. While occasional nighttime urination can happen to anyone, frequent episodes are not something you should ignore.
Sleep is critical for physical repair, immune function, heart health, and mental clarity. When sleep is interrupted repeatedly, the impact can build over time. Many men with nocturia report:
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Reduced productivity
- Lower overall quality of life
The underlying cause matters. Identifying why it is happening is the first step toward effective treatment.
Enlarged Prostate: A Leading Cause of Nighttime Urination in Men
For men over 50, an enlarged prostate is one of the most common reasons for frequent urination at night.
The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. As men age, the prostate naturally grows. In many cases, it grows large enough to press against the urethra and bladder.
This pressure creates several urinary problems:
- Weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Feeling like the bladder never fully empties
- Urgent need to urinate
- Increased frequency during the day and night
When the bladder cannot fully empty, it fills up more quickly. That means more trips to the bathroom, including overnight.
Many men tolerate these symptoms for years without realizing that safe, minimally invasive treatment options exist.
Why Ignoring Symptoms Can Make Things Worse
BPH is not cancer, but that does not mean it should be ignored.
Over time, untreated prostate enlargement can lead to worsening bladder function. The bladder muscle may become overworked from constantly pushing against resistance. In some cases, men can develop urinary retention, infections, or even kidney complications.
More commonly, the biggest toll is on daily life. Interrupted sleep can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, weight gain, and mood changes. What begins as a minor annoyance can gradually become a major quality of life issue.
The good news is that effective treatment is available.
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization
Prostate Artery Embolization, or PAE, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to shrink an enlarged prostate and relieve urinary symptoms.
Unlike traditional prostate surgery, PAE does not require major incisions or removal of prostate tissue. Instead, it works by reducing blood flow to the prostate.
Here is how it works:
A specialized physician called an interventional radiologist inserts a tiny catheter through a small puncture in the wrist or groin. Using advanced imaging guidance, the catheter is directed to the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. Tiny particles are then released to block a portion of that blood flow.
With reduced blood supply, the prostate gradually shrinks. As it shrinks, pressure on the bladder and urethra decreases, allowing urine to flow more normally.
Benefits of PAE for Enlarged Prostate
Many men are hesitant about traditional surgery due to concerns about recovery time or potential side effects. PAE offers several important advantages:
- Minimally invasive with no major surgical incisions
- Typically performed as an outpatient procedure
- Faster recovery compared to surgery
- Lower risk of complications
- Preservation of sexual function in most patients
Most men begin noticing improvement in urinary symptoms within weeks, with continued improvement over several months as the prostate continues to shrink.
For men who have not found relief with medication or who want to avoid surgery, PAE may be an excellent option.
How Is Enlarged Prostate Diagnosed
If you are experiencing frequent urination at night, your provider will begin with a thorough evaluation. This may include:
- Review of urinary symptoms
- Physical exam
- Blood tests to check prostate specific antigen levels
- Urinalysis to rule out infection
- Imaging such as ultrasound
In some cases, additional testing may be recommended to measure bladder function or urine flow.
At United Vein and Vascular Centers, our specialists evaluate whether you are a candidate for Prostate Artery Embolization and guide you through each step of the process.
When to Consider Treatment
You may want to consider evaluation for enlarged prostate if you experience:
- Waking up more than twice per night to urinate
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty delaying urination
If these symptoms are interfering with your sleep, work, travel, or daily activities, it is time to explore solutions.
You do not have to accept disrupted sleep as part of getting older.
Life After Treatment
Many men who undergo PAE report significant improvement in:
- Nighttime urination
- Urinary urgency
- Stream strength
- Sleep quality
- Energy levels
Improved sleep alone can have a powerful effect on overall health. When your body gets consistent, uninterrupted rest, everything from mood to heart health benefits.
Relief from prostate symptoms can restore confidence, comfort, and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While BPH is one of the most common causes in men over 50, other conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, or certain medications can also contribute. A medical evaluation is important to determine the exact cause.
Men diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia who have moderate to severe urinary symptoms may be candidates for PAE. A consultation with a vascular specialist and imaging evaluation can determine if this minimally invasive procedure is right for you.
Most patients return home the same day and resume light activities within a few days. Symptom improvement often begins within several weeks, with continued improvement over time as the prostate shrinks.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep and Relief
Frequent nighttime urination is not something you have to live with. If an enlarged prostate is disrupting your sleep and affecting your daily life, minimally invasive treatment may be the solution you have been waiting for.
Prostate Artery Embolization offers effective symptom relief without major surgery or long recovery times.
Schedule a consultation today to learn whether PAE is right for you. Find a United Vein and Vascular Centers location near you and take the first step toward better sleep, better comfort, and better quality of life.
