Treatment and doctors

PAE: treating an enlarged prostate through an artery

Prostate artery embolization is a way to shrink an enlarged prostate through the blood vessels rather than through the urethra. Advanced Urology performs the procedure at its Alpharetta and Decatur locations. If you live near our Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper offices, your evaluation starts with our urologists here.

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Advanced Urology Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center name card with street address

How does PAE work?

An interventional radiologist places a thin catheter into an artery at the wrist or in the upper thigh and steers it, using X-ray imaging, into the small arteries that feed the prostate. Tiny beads called microspheres are released to reduce blood flow to the gland. Over the following weeks the prostate softens and shrinks, easing pressure on the urethra. It is an outpatient procedure with no incision in the urethra or abdomen.

Who may be a candidate?

Men with a large prostate, generally more than about 50 grams on imaging
Men whose urinary symptoms have not improved enough with BPH medicine
Men who would prefer to avoid surgery, or for whom surgery carries extra risk

It is not the right fit for everyone. Symptoms caused by a weak bladder muscle, a urethral stricture or a small prostate are usually better treated another way.

How does it work if I live near Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper?

Book with our team as you would for any prostate problem. At the visit, our urologists confirm that the prostate is the cause of your symptoms, check your PSA and measure the gland. If PAE fits, they refer you to the Advanced Urology team that performs it in Alpharetta or Decatur and explain how it compares with the options done at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center, such as UroLift, Aquablation, TURP and ThuLEP. Follow-up visits can return to your usual office.

What should I watch for after PAE?

Mild pelvic aching, burning with urination and frequent urination for several days are common. Call right away for fever, being unable to urinate, or bleeding or swelling at the catheter site that does not settle with pressure.

More detail is on our enlarged prostate doctor page and our weak urine stream guide.

Where can I be seen for this?

Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center, 1371 Church Street Extension NW, Marietta, GA 30060. Seen here for this concern: Jason Lomboy, MD, Andy Ostrowski, MD, Daniel Roberson, PA-C, Amanda Boulos, PA-C, Ionela Turcin, PA-C, Britany Howard, FNP. Procedures for all four offices happen in this building.
Canton Clinic, 2205 Riverstone Blvd Suite 101, Canton, GA 30114. Seen here for this concern: Jason Lomboy, MD, Andy Ostrowski, MD, Daniel Roberson, PA-C, Amanda Boulos, PA-C, Ionela Turcin, PA-C. Procedures are scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center.
Dallas Clinic, 2713 Charles Hardy Parkway, Bldg 100, Suite 122, Dallas, GA 30157. Seen here for this concern: Daniel Roberson, PA-C. Visits here are with Daniel Roberson, PA-C. Physician visits and procedures are arranged in Marietta.
Jasper Clinic, 49 Gordon Rd Suite 103, Jasper, GA 30143. Seen here for this concern: Jason Lomboy, MD, Britany Howard, FNP. Procedures are scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center.

Jason Lomboy, MD, Advanced Urology — Jason Lomboy, MD

Andy Ostrowski, MD, Advanced Urology — Andy Ostrowski, MD

Daniel Roberson, PA-C, Advanced Urology — Daniel Roberson, PA-C

Amanda Boulos, PA-C, Advanced Urology — Amanda Boulos, PA-C

Ionela Turcin, PA-C, Advanced Urology — Ionela Turcin, PA-C

Britany Howard, FNP, Advanced Urology — Britany Howard, FNP

Questions people ask us

Is PAE done at the Marietta surgery center?

No. Advanced Urology performs PAE at its Alpharetta and Decatur locations. Your evaluation, PSA and prostate measurement happen with our urologists at the Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper office first.

How soon do symptoms improve after PAE?

Improvement is gradual because the prostate shrinks over time; Advanced Urology notes results may take 6 weeks to 6 months. A follow-up visit checks your symptom score and how well you empty.

Will PAE affect erections or ejaculation?

PAE does not remove prostate tissue through the urethra, which is one reason men who want to protect ejaculation ask about it. Our urologists review how it compares with UroLift and TURP for your situation.

Prostate artery embolization on advancedurology.com

Related treatment pages

Educational information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Every treatment has risks, benefits and alternatives to discuss with your clinician.