Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Treatment in Kansas City & Independence, MO
Searching for enlarged prostate treatment near me? PAE is a non-surgical, insurance-covered, AUA-recognized treatment for BPH that shrinks the prostate and relieves urinary symptoms — performed right here at MIVA Medical in Independence, MO.
A 10-page guide covering BPH symptoms, treatment comparisons, and what to expect — yours to keep.
Are You Experiencing These Common BPH Symptoms?
- Weak urine stream
- Urinary retention (may require foley catheter)
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary frequency, day and night
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Difficulty starting a urine stream
- Painful urination or ejaculation
With the bladder obstructed by an enlarged prostate, chronic urinary retention can lead to UTIs, bladder stones, blood in the urine, and kidney or bladder damage. Fortunately, prostate artery embolization can significantly shrink the prostate gland and improve lower urinary tract symptoms — completely non-surgical, minimally invasive, and performed on an outpatient basis using moderate sedation.
What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign, noncancerous enlargement of the prostate — the most common prostate condition in men over age 50, seen in roughly 50% of men over 50 and 70% of men over 70. The prostate sits just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. When it enlarges, it can squeeze the urethra, obstruct the bladder, and cause lifestyle-limiting symptoms.
Show Video Transcript
“What is BPH? BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This means an enlargement of the prostate gland. Did you know that over half of men age 50 and older have an enlarged prostate?
This can lead to common symptoms like urinary urgency, frequent trips to the bathroom at night, urinary infection, and even sexual dysfunction. Luckily, here at MIVA Medical, we offer a minimally invasive, nonsurgical option to shrink your prostate.
If you’d like to learn more, check out some of our other educational videos.”
What Are the Treatment Options for an Enlarged Prostate?
Treatment options for symptomatic BPH range from conservative measures to more aggressive surgical approaches. Most men start with the least invasive option to see if it provides lasting relief.
- Diet and exercise
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Limiting fluid intake before bed
- Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax) relax prostate and bladder neck muscle to improve urine flow
- PD-5 inhibitors such as tadalafil (Cialis) relax lower urinary tract muscles
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (Proscar) can shrink the prostate over time
- Prostate artery embolization (PAE)
- Prostate urethral lift (PUL)
- Minimally invasive simple prostatectomy
- Transurethral needle ablation, prostatic stent placement, thermal therapies, Aquablation, HIFU
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Open prostatectomy
- Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
- Laser surgery
Traditionally, BPH has been treated with TURP — often requiring a prolonged hospital stay and carrying real risk of long-term urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, plus surgical instrumentation through the penis. At MIVA Medical, we offer a non-surgical alternative: prostate artery embolization. PAE was recently added to the American Urologic Association guidelines as an acceptable treatment strategy for symptomatic BPH, is performed on an outpatient basis, and is covered by insurance.
Show Video Transcript
“Treatment options for BPH. The first treatment option is medication like Flomax. These medicines are used to shrink the prostate, however they’re not always effective. Traditionally, if medication isn’t effective, the only options have been surgery.
The most common surgery performed for an enlarged prostate is called TURP. This stands for transurethral resection of the prostate. This involves the insertion of a device through the penis before pieces of prostate tissue are removed. Now TURP is not without risk of side effects. Some side effects include prolonged hospital stay, sexual dysfunction, and urinary incontinence.
Luckily there are other minimally invasive options. Here at MIVA Medical, we offer a unique non-surgical option called prostate artery embolization. This procedure virtually eliminates the risk of side effects that are commonly seen with surgery. Recently, this procedure has been approved by the American Urological Society as a safe and effective treatment for an enlarged prostate, and it’s also covered by insurance.
To learn more about this procedure, please check out some of our other educational videos.”
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)?
PAE is a minimally invasive procedure for men suffering from BPH. Using state-of-the-art image guidance, the blood flow supplying the prostate gland is targeted and diminished, causing the gland to shrink.
During the procedure, a small puncture is made in the wrist or groin, and a tiny catheter is navigated into the small arteries supplying the prostate. Once positioned safely, microscopic particles — containing no medication or radiation — are slowly injected into the feeder arteries until blood flow is diminished. Final images confirm adequate delivery, the catheter is removed, and most patients are discharged within 1 hour.
Unique among treatment strategies, PAE is completely non-surgical, requires no surgical access through the penis, has a low-risk profile with a high success rate, and has been shown to preserve urinary and sexual function.
Show Video Transcript
“What is prostate artery embolization? This procedure is a minimally invasive, non-surgical technique done right here in our office using state-of-the-art imaging technology. We navigate very small catheters through the blood supply and we locate the prostate artery. Once we locate the correct artery, we then take microscopic particles and we inject it into the blood vessels. These particles embed themselves in the prostate, causing it to shrink over time.
Now take a look at one of the most recent cases we’ve just completed right here in our office. Here we have an enlarged prostate with a very prominent blood supply — this is the enlarged prostate here, this is our microcatheter. We take the microcatheter and we locate the prostate artery. We then inject microscopic particles into the prostate to reduce the blood supply. On this next image you see what the prostate looks like after the embolization — there’s no longer prominent blood supply. This will allow the prostate to shrink over time and reduce the patient’s symptoms.
After the embolization procedure, the catheter is then removed, and we apply a bandage to the small incision site. We then move the patient to the recovery bay where they recover for about 1 hour and then they’re discharged home. Patients may experience mild pelvic cramping after the procedure for 1 to 3 days, however symptoms like sexual dysfunction or urinary incontinence that are commonly seen with surgery are virtually non-existent with this procedure.
If you’d like to learn more, check out some of our other educational videos.”
Why Choose MIVA Medical For Your Prostate Treatment?
Board-Certified Specialists
Experienced, fellowship-trained vascular and interventional radiologists build an individualized care plan for every patient. Meet our doctors.
Personalized Consultation
Your initial consultation is typically with Maddie Fennessey, NP, who works closely with Dr. Brown to build your care plan — a physician consultation can also be requested based on availability.
Same-Day Procedure, No Hospital Stay
Once your consultation and workup are complete, PAE itself is done in a single outpatient visit with about an hour of recovery — most patients resume normal activity within days.
Please note: MIVA Medical does not perform diagnostic imaging in-house. Imaging is completed at an outside imaging center prior to treatment.
MIVA Medical also offers uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), geniculate artery embolization (GAE) for knee pain, and hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) — read what our patients say on our reviews page, or visit our dedicated Kansas City Prostate Center resource site.
Show Video Transcript
“Why choose MIVA Medical for your prostate artery embolization? Well, compared to surgery, the rate of infection, side effects, or complications are so much less with prostate artery embolization.
Here at MIVA Medical, both Dr. Williams and myself are both board-certified vascular specialists, with years of experience treating patients right here in the Kansas City metro area. Because we’re a small, locally owned company, we have concierge level care. Every patient has an individual, personalized care plan, and this helps maximize the treatment outcome.
If you know anyone, or yourself personally, are suffering from prostate symptoms, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us or visit our website. We can get you in right away.”
Visit Kansas City Prostate Center, our dedicated resource site with in-depth articles, guides, and answers specifically about enlarged prostate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current treatment options for an enlarged prostate?
Options range from lifestyle modification (diet, exercise, avoiding caffeine/alcohol) and medication management (alpha-blockers, PD-5 inhibitors, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors) to minimally invasive procedures like PAE, prostate urethral lift, and thermal therapies, up through surgical options such as TURP, open prostatectomy, and laser surgery.
What is prostate artery embolization (PAE)?
PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets and diminishes blood flow to the prostate gland, causing it to shrink. A tiny catheter is navigated into the prostate’s feeder arteries via the wrist or groin, and microscopic particles are injected to reduce blood flow. Most patients are discharged within an hour.
What should I expect during the procedure?
PAE at MIVA Medical is well-tolerated, performed on an outpatient basis using conscious sedation, typically taking 1–2 hours with about 1 hour of recovery. You’ll need to avoid food and drink for 6 hours prior (small sips of water with medications are fine), and we’ll review which home medications to hold beforehand. Post-procedure medications are sent to your pharmacy to minimize pain, inflammation, and infection risk.
What are the risks associated with PAE?
PAE has a low risk profile with rare complications. Possible risks include pain, bleeding, infection, temporary inability to urinate, and blockage of non-prostate arteries during particle injection. Careful technique and experience with prostate artery anatomy help minimize these risks.
How does PAE differ from surgery like TURP?
PAE offers a lower risk of complications, no surgical access through the penis, no expected hospitalization, and a faster recovery time compared to transurethral resection of the prostate.
What is recovery like after PAE?
Most patients experience mild pelvic pain, fatigue, or low-grade fever for a few days, peaking around day 3 and improving with time. Some experience hematuria, urinary frequency/urgency, or dysuria. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 5 days. Follow-up includes a one-week clinic visit and a 3-month imaging follow-up to assess treatment response.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for PAE?
We perform a physical exam, review your medical history and prior imaging, and use a scoring system to assess the severity of your lower urinary tract symptoms to determine candidacy.
Is PAE covered by insurance?
Yes. PAE is recognized as an acceptable treatment option for symptomatic BPH, and most insurance carriers cover it. Contact MIVA Medical and we’ll help verify your specific plan’s coverage.
Where can I find PAE treatment near Kansas City?
MIVA Medical performs prostate artery embolization at our Independence, MO clinic, serving patients throughout the greater Kansas City metro. Book a consultation or take our PAE quiz to see if you’re a candidate.
Serving Men Across the Kansas City Metro
MIVA Medical’s Independence, MO clinic provides prostate artery embolization for men throughout the greater Kansas City area, including Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Grain Valley, Raytown, Overland Park, and Kansas City, MO & KS. If you’ve been searching for a PAE specialist or enlarged prostate treatment near you, our board-certified team is close by and taking new patients.
Looking for a prostate specialist in Lee’s Summit? Patients from Lee’s Summit choose MIVA Medical for PAE because our Independence, MO clinic keeps your consultation and treatment personal and close to home.
Enlarged prostate treatment in Blue Springs, MO is one of our most common referral areas — if urinary symptoms have been affecting your daily life, our team can evaluate whether PAE is right for you.
Considering PAE in Overland Park? Many Overland Park and Johnson County patients travel to MIVA Medical specifically for our non-surgical, insurance-covered approach to BPH.
Searching for a BPH doctor in Independence, Missouri? MIVA Medical is based right here in Independence, serving our own community first.
Related Reading From Our Blog
Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Explained
Symptoms, causes, and when it’s time to see a doctor.
PAE vs. TURP vs. Medication
Comparing the leading BPH treatment options side by side.
Is PAE an Invasive Procedure?
A closer look at what makes PAE different from surgical prostate treatments.
How PAE Could Help Your Prostate Health
How embolization addresses the root cause of BPH symptoms.
PAE and Urinary Catheters
Can PAE help you get off a catheter due to severe BPH?
How Prostate Size Affects Your PAE Candidacy
How gland volume factors into whether PAE is right for you.
Take a Quiz to Learn if PAE Is Right For You
Answer a few quick questions to see if you may be a candidate for Prostate Artery Embolization at MIVA Medical.