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Is Prostate Artery Embolization Right for You? Questions to Ask

Published July 17th, 2026 by Great Lakes Medical Imaging

If you are a man in your sixties or beyond and you find yourself waking up several times a night to use the bathroom, struggling to start your stream, or never feeling like your bladder is fully empty, you are far from alone. These frustrating changes are often caused by an enlarged prostate, and they can quietly chip away at your sleep, your comfort, and your daily routine here in Western New York.

The good news is that surgery is no longer the only path to relief. A minimally invasive option called prostate artery embolization (PAE) may be able to ease your symptoms with low risk, and the team at Great Lakes Medical Imaging (GLMI) offers it close to home for patients in Williamsville, Cheektowaga, Orchard Park, and the Cambria area of Niagara County. This article walks you through what PAE is, how it compares with surgery, and the questions worth bringing to a consultation.

What Is BPH and Why Do Symptoms Happen?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, usually shortened to BPH, is an enlargement of the prostate gland. It is extremely common with age. In fact, more than 50 percent of men older than 60 have BPH. As the prostate grows, it presses on and constricts the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. That pressure leads to a group of complaints doctors call lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS.

You may recognize some of these signs in your own daily life:

Urinary frequency, or needing to go often
Dribbling at the end of urination
Inability to urinate
A feeling that your bladder never empties completely
Incontinence, or leaking
Difficulty starting urination
A weak urinary stream
Waking up multiple times a night to urinate

If these symptoms sound familiar, they are worth discussing with a provider rather than simply living with them.

What Is Prostate Artery Embolization?

Prostate artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that can improve the urinary symptoms caused by BPH, and it does so with low risk. It is performed by an interventional radiologist, a physician who uses X-rays to see inside the body and treat disease without major surgery. You can learn more about this specialty on the GLMI interventional radiology overview page.

Because PAE is technically challenging, it should only be performed by an experienced vascular interventional radiologist. That experience matters, and it is something GLMI offers. You can read more about the procedure itself on the dedicated prostate artery embolization page.

How Does PAE Actually Work?

One of the reasons many men find PAE appealing is how little it disrupts the body. The procedure is performed through a tiny pinhole incision in the wrist or groin. From there, your interventional radiologist guides a thin catheter into the prostate artery, the vessel that supplies blood to the prostate. X-rays with a special dye confirm that the catheter is in exactly the right position.

Once the catheter is placed, the embolization is performed using tiny round microspheres that reduce blood flow to the prostate. With less blood flow, the prostate begins to shrink. As it shrinks, the pressure on the urethra eases, and many patients notice urinary symptoms improving within 7 days. The improvement often continues over the following several months.

If you want to put a face to the team that performs this work, the IR team page introduces the specialists who care for patients across the region.

How Is PAE Different From Surgery?

This is one of the most important questions to ask, because PAE is not the only way to treat BPH. Urologists also offer surgical options such as TURP or open prostatectomy. Those procedures can be very effective, but they tend to involve more recovery. Compared with those surgical options, PAE offers several potential benefits:

A shorter hospital stay and recovery time
A low risk of sexual side effects
A low risk of urinary incontinence
A shorter time with a urinary catheter, which may be avoided completely
Decreased discomfort

Every man is different, so the right choice depends on your anatomy, your symptoms, and your overall health. If you are weighing your options, it is reasonable to ask both a urologist and an interventional radiologist for their perspective. You can also contact GLMI to talk through whether PAE fits your situation.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

No procedure is completely without risk, and an honest conversation about the downsides is part of making a good decision. Some patients experience post-embolization syndrome for up to a week after PAE. This can include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Low grade fever
Pelvic pain
Painful or frequent urination

Other possible risks include blood in the urine, semen, or stool, bladder spasm, and infection. Knowing about these ahead of time helps you recognize what is normal during recovery and when to reach out to your care team.

Questions to Bring to Your Consultation

Walking into a consultation with a written list of questions helps you get clear answers and feel confident about your decision. Here are several worth asking:

Am I a candidate for PAE? Your symptoms, prostate size, and health history all play a role.
How is PAE different from surgery for me specifically? Ask how the benefits and trade-offs apply to your case.
What is recovery like? Understanding the days and weeks afterward helps you plan.
What are the risks for me? Your personal risk profile may differ from the general picture.
Who will perform the procedure, and what is their experience? Because PAE is technically demanding, the operator's experience matters a great deal.

Hearing from others who have walked this path can also help. The interventional radiology testimonials page shares experiences from patients who have been treated by the GLMI team.

Convenient Care Across Western New York

GLMI makes it easier to get answers and care without traveling far from home. Patients across the Buffalo area are seen at these locations:

Taking the Next Step

If an enlarged prostate is interrupting your sleep and your day, you do not have to simply accept it. Talk with your urologist, your primary care provider, or GLMI directly at 716-836-4646 to find out whether prostate artery embolization is right for you. When you are ready to move forward, you can review scheduling information and take the first step toward relief, right here in Western New York.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or appropriate diagnostic testing. Individual health circumstances vary, and decisions about imaging or treatment should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider.

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