Moderate-to-severe urinary symptoms: frequency, weak stream, or waking through the night.
Symptoms that persist despite BPH medication, or side effects you'd rather not live with.
A preference to keep sexual and urinary function intact and skip a hospital operation.
PAE works well even for large glands that are difficult to treat with some surgical options.
Men on blood thinners or conditions that make surgery riskier are often good candidates.
Take our quick 2-minute quiz to find out if you're a candidate for prostate artery embolization.
PAE preserves sexual function. Because it shrinks the prostate by blocking its arteries rather than removing the gland, PAE carries a far lower risk of erectile dysfunction than prostatectomy.
Prostate artery embolization has a lower risk of urinary incontinence than prostatectomy. No tissue is removed, so the muscles that control urination stay intact.
PAE is minimally invasive. A catheter is guided through a single pinhole at the wrist or groin to block blood flow to the prostate — no surgical incision, shorter recovery, and no hospital stay.
PAE causes minimal blood loss. Its targeted, catheter-based approach avoids the bleeding, infection, and anesthesia risks of open prostate surgery.
PAE is a safe option for high-risk patients. Men with other health conditions or advanced age who can't have surgery can still get lasting symptom relief.
Through a tiny pinhole, a thin microcatheter is guided to the prostate arteries using live X-ray imaging — you stay comfortable under light sedation.
Tiny microspheres are released to block the small arteries feeding the prostate, reducing its blood supply — both sides are treated through the same access point.
Over the next few weeks the prostate softens and shrinks, easing pressure on the urethra — and your urinary symptoms steadily improve.
No hospital stay. You go home within a few hours of the procedure.
A single pinhole instead of an incision — and no tissue is removed.
Very low risk of erectile dysfunction or retrograde
ejaculation.
Medically necessary PAE is covered by Medicare and most major plans.
| Treatment | Invasiveness | Recovery Time | Anesthesia | Sexual side effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prostate artery embolization (PAE) WHAT WE DO | Minimally invasive (pinhole) | A few days | Light sedation | Very low risk |
| UroLift (implants) | Minimally invasive | A few days | Local/light | Low (size limited) |
| TURP (surgical resection) | Surgical | 2-4 weeks | General/spinal | Common (retrograde) |
| Open / laser prostatectomy | Surgical | 2–6 weeks | General | Higher risk |
| Medication | Non-invasive | Ongoing use | None | Possible (manages only) |
Board-certified interventional radiologists deliver expert care using the latest minimally invasive techniques.
State-of-the-art imaging maps the prostate arteries and guides every step for safer, more effective results.
Clinics throughout Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth make advanced prostate care easy to access close to home.
1331 West Grand Parkway
N, Suite 210
Katy, TX 77493
3920 W Wheatland Rd
Suite 108
Dallas, TX 75237
5425 W. Spring Creek Parkway
Suite 100
Plano, TX 75024
6620 Bryant Irvin Road
Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76132
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) has excellent success rates. A 2017 study found PAE achieved a 90% success rate in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — improving urinary flow and relieving symptoms like frequent urination, weak stream, and straining, with a low complication rate compared to traditional BPH surgery.
Typically, PAE recovery time is under one week. Most patients can resume normal daily activities within a week after the procedure.
Recovery time can vary depending on the patient's overall health and any comorbidities. Other medical conditions alongside BPH — such as diabetes or heart disease — may mean it takes longer to recover fully. In those cases, patients should work closely with their healthcare provider to monitor progress and ensure a safe, effective recovery.
When PAE is medically necessary — meaning you have bothersome symptoms from an enlarged prostate — it's covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. Our team verifies your benefits in advance so there are no surprises.
Scheduling
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