Prostate Artery Embolization, also called Prostatic Artery Embolization or PAE, is an image-guided, minimally invasive procedure used to treat urinary symptoms caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

During PAE, an Interventional Radiologist guides a very small catheter through an artery, usually from the wrist or groin, into the arteries supplying the prostate.

Patients with BPH may experience:

• Frequent need to urinate
• Waking repeatedly at night to urinate
• Urgent need to urinate
• Weak urine stream
• Difficulty starting urination
• Interrupted urine flow
• Straining during urination
• Feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied
• Urinary leakage in some patients

The severity of symptoms does not always correspond directly to prostate size, so medical evaluation is important

Causes and risk factors depend on the underlying diagnosis. These points help patients understand why timely specialist review matters.

Common Causes

• Underlying disease process affecting the target organ or body system
• Delayed diagnosis and late specialist intervention
• Anatomical or physiological abnormalities
• Lifestyle or workload-related strain on the affected area

Risk Factors

• Age, family history, and comorbid illness
• Sedentary lifestyle or prolonged stress on body systems
• Previous disease episodes or incomplete follow-up
• Medication non-adherence and untreated warning symptoms

Although PAE is minimally invasive, it is still a medical procedure and has potential risks.

Possible effects can include:

• Temporary pelvic discomfort
• Burning or increased frequency during urination
• Nausea
• Low-grade fever
• Blood in urine, semen or stool
• Bruising or hematoma at the arterial access site
• Bladder spasm
• Infection
• Rare complications related to non-target embolization

A temporary combination of symptoms after treatment is sometimes called post-PAE syndrome.

• Persistent symptoms and reduced quality of life
• Progression of the disease or local complication
• Need for more advanced treatment if ignored
• Repeated hospital visits, infection, bleeding, or pain flare-ups in selected cases

Do not wait for symptoms to become severe. Specialist review is recommended when symptoms are persistent, recurrent, or worsening.

• Symptoms continue despite basic care for a few days
• Frequent recurrence or worsening symptom pattern
• New pain, swelling, fever, bleeding, or reduced activity tolerance
• Need for second opinion before deciding procedure or surgery

• Medical history and symptom assessment – to understand urinary frequency, weak flow, urgency, nighttime urination, and incomplete emptying.
• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) – to assess prostate size and texture.
• Urine test – to check for infection, blood, or other urinary problems.
• PSA blood test – when clinically appropriate, to help assess prostate-related conditions.
• Ultrasound of the prostate and bladder – to evaluate prostate size and residual urine after urination.
• Uroflowmetry – measures the strength and speed of urine flow.
• Post-Void Residual (PVR) test – checks how much urine remains in the bladder after urination.
• Prostate MRI – may be used to assess prostate anatomy, size, and other abnormalities.
• CT Angiography or vascular imaging – may be performed before PAE to map the prostate arteries and plan the procedure.
• Cystoscopy or further urology evaluation – only when needed to rule out other causes of urinary obstruction.

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, prostate size, overall health, and how much the condition affects daily life.

• Lifestyle and Monitoring – suitable for mild symptoms. This may include reducing evening fluids, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and regular follow-up.
• Medications – medicines such as alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may help improve urine flow or reduce prostate size in selected patients.
• Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) – a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure performed through a small catheter. Tiny embolic particles are used to reduce blood flow to the enlarged prostate, allowing it to gradually shrink.
• TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) – an endoscopic surgical procedure in which excess prostate tissue is removed through the urethra.
• Laser Prostate Procedures – laser energy may be used to remove or vaporize enlarged prostate tissue.
• Other Minimally Invasive Procedures – depending on prostate anatomy and patient suitability, other catheter- or device-based treatment options may be considered.
• Open or Robotic Prostate Surgery – may be considered in selected patients with very large prostates or complex disease.

For your PAE webpage, I recommend highlighting this line:

“PAE may be considered for selected patients who want a minimally invasive treatment option for symptomatic BPH, especially when medications are not providing enough relief or when surgery is less suitable.”

Medications ? Minimally Invasive PAE ? Endoscopic/Laser Surgery ? Open/Robotic Surgery

At Epic International Hospitals, treatment usually follows a structured clinical workflow so patients understand each step clearly.

1. Appointment booking through phone or online form.
2. Specialist consultation with symptom and history review.
3. Diagnosis and tests as clinically required.
4. Personalized treatment plan with risk-benefit explanation.
5. Treatment or procedure with structured follow-up and recovery support.

Potential benefits for appropriately selected patients include:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• No traditional open surgical incision
• Image-guided treatment
• Small catheter access
• Treatment of enlarged prostate while leaving the prostate in place
• Potential improvement in urinary symptoms
• Typically shorter recovery than major surgery
• Potentially lower risk of urinary incontinence and some sexual side effects compared with more invasive surgical procedures

Johns Hopkins reports that PAE is associated with less recovery time than surgery and may have a lower risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects compared with more invasive procedures such as TURP.

Recovery varies from patient to patient.

Because PAE uses small arterial access rather than a large surgical incision, many patients can recover more quickly than after more invasive surgical procedures.

Urinary symptoms may improve progressively as the prostate responds to reduced blood supply and decreases in size.

Advanced Interventional Radiology Care

EPIC International Hospitals focuses on minimally invasive, image-guided treatments performed through small access points whenever clinically appropriate.

Specialist Evaluation

Patients are evaluated to determine whether PAE or another treatment option is more appropriate for their individual prostate condition.

Image-Guided Treatment

PAE is performed using advanced imaging to precisely identify and treat the arteries supplying the prostate.

Minimally Invasive Approach

The procedure is performed using a small catheter rather than traditional open surgery.

Patient-Focused Treatment Planning

Treatment selection is based on symptoms, prostate anatomy, investigations and individual medical condition.

Cost depends on diagnosis complexity, condition severity, investigations, treatment type, hospital stay duration, medicines, and insurance coverage conditions.

For accurate planning, request a personalized estimate after specialist consultation and test review.

Insurance and cashless support may be available based on policy terms, hospital empanelment, and insurer approval.

• Policy and eligibility review support
• Pre-authorisation and documentation assistance
• Approval coordination with insurer or TPA
• Billing and discharge guidance for approved cashless cases

Epic International Hospitals in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad offers consultation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for treatment with specialist support.

Patients commonly reach the hospital from nearby areas including Jubilee Hills, Ameerpet, Punjagutta, Mehdipatnam, Somajiguda, and other parts of Hyderabad.

Call: +91 81212 00400 | +91 81218 00400