If you are a man over 50 in Western New York, you may have noticed some changes in how you urinate. Maybe you wake up more than once a night to use the bathroom, or you feel like your bladder is never quite empty. It is easy to brush these things off as just part of getting older, but they are worth paying attention to.

At Great Lakes Medical Imaging (GLMI), we care for patients across Buffalo and Western New York, including Williamsville, Cheektowaga, Orchard Park, and Cambria in Niagara County. We want the men in our community to know that urinary changes are common, often very treatable, and not something you simply have to live with.

---

Why Urinary Symptoms Deserve Your Attention

As men age, the prostate gland tends to grow. This is so common that more than 50% of men older than 60 have an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The word "benign" means it is not cancer, which is reassuring. Still, an enlarged prostate can affect your daily comfort and quality of life in real ways.

Here is why it matters. The prostate sits just below the bladder and wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the prostate enlarges, it constricts that tube. The result is a group of issues doctors call lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS. These are the changes that may have brought you here.

The Symptoms Men Tend to Ignore

Many men assume these symptoms are just an unavoidable part of aging and decide to push through them. The trouble is that pushing through can mean months or years of poor sleep, planning your day around bathrooms, and growing discomfort. Watch for these signs of an enlarged prostate:

• Urinary frequency, or needing to go more often than you used to
• Waking up multiple times a night to urinate
• Difficulty starting urination
• A weak urinary stream
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• A feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder
• Incontinence, or leaking when you do not mean to
• Inability to urinate at all

If you recognize several of these, you are far from alone. These symptoms are common, but common does not mean you should simply live with them. They are worth discussing with a provider who can help identify the cause and talk through your options.

---

Do Not Ignore These Changes

It can feel awkward to bring up bathroom habits, even with a doctor. We understand that. But your provider has these conversations every day, and getting clear answers is the first step toward feeling better. An enlarged prostate is one of the most common reasons men over 50 develop urinary symptoms, yet it is not the only possible cause. That is exactly why a conversation matters. Your provider can help sort out what is going on rather than leaving you to guess.

An inability to urinate, in particular, is something to take seriously and address promptly. More broadly, if your symptoms are interrupting your sleep, your work, or your time with family and friends, that is reason enough to speak up. You do not need to wait until things become severe.

If you would like to talk with our team about your symptoms, you can contact GLMI or call us at 716-836-4646. We are happy to help you understand the next steps.

A Minimally Invasive Option: Prostate Artery Embolization

One treatment option for BPH is prostate artery embolization, often shortened to PAE. It is performed by an interventional radiologist, a physician who specializes in image-guided procedures that work from the inside of the body without traditional open surgery.

Here is how it works in simple terms. PAE is performed through a pinhole incision in the wrist or groin. Using that tiny access point, the interventional radiologist places very small particles called microspheres to reduce the blood flow to the prostate. With less blood flow, the prostate shrinks over time, which eases the pressure on the urethra and improves urinary symptoms. The procedure can improve urinary symptoms caused by BPH with low risk.

Many patients notice symptom relief within 7 days, and the improvement often continues over the following several months as the prostate gradually shrinks. To learn more about the physicians who perform these procedures, you can read about our interventional radiology team or explore our broader interventional radiology services.

---

How PAE Compares to Surgery

Men with BPH are sometimes offered surgical options by a urologist, such as a procedure called TURP or an open prostatectomy. Those surgeries help many patients. PAE is a different, minimally invasive approach, and when compared with those surgical options it may offer several practical advantages for the right candidate:

• A shorter hospital stay and recovery
• A low risk of sexual side effects
• A low risk of urinary incontinence
• Shorter catheter time, or in some cases avoiding a catheter
• Decreased discomfort

It is important to be honest here: PAE is not the right choice for everyone. Whether you are a good candidate depends on your individual health, your anatomy, and your goals. The only way to know is to talk it through with a qualified provider who can evaluate your specific situation.

Convenient Care Across Western New York

GLMI offers care at five convenient locations throughout the region, so you can find one close to home:

• Williamsville
• Cheektowaga
• Orchard Park, Sterling Park
• Orchard Park, Big Tree
• Cambria (Niagara County)

Take the First Step

Life after 50 should be about staying active and enjoying everything Western New York has to offer through every season, not about worrying where the next bathroom is. If urinary symptoms are wearing on you, please do not ignore them. Talk with your primary care provider, your urologist, or the GLMI team. When you are ready, you can schedule a visit, reach out through our contact GLMI page, or call us at 716-836-4646. A short conversation today could lead to better sleep and more comfortable days ahead.

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.