Tidelands Health, in partnership with MUSC Health, offers minimally invasive treatment for enlarged prostate in Myrtle Beach area

The most common prostate problem in men over 50 is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), according to the National Institutes of Health. 

While there are multiple treatment options for BPH, including medications and surgery, Tidelands Health now offers a minimally invasive option known as aquablation to its patients. 

With BPH, the prostate gland grows larger than normal, and as it does, it squeezes the urethra. This can affect a man’s quality of life, with symptoms that include frequent urination, a slow urinary stream, the sensation of not being able to empty the bladder completely and other urinary issues. Men with enlarged prostates may wake up several times a night to use the restroom, perhaps as often as every couple of hours. During the day, that urge can be even more frequent. With a safe and effective procedure option like aquablation, patients in the Myrtle Beach area now have a treatment option without medication side effects.

Lauren Cooley, M.D., Ph.D., is a urologist and urological oncology specialist at Tidelands Health Urology. She said aquablation allows her patients to feel better than they have in a long time by precisely removing the affected prostate tissue. “I like that I can get my patients off of their prostate medications, get them voiding better than they have in years and oftentimes get them catheter-free if they are in urinary retention prior to surgery,” she said.

During an aquablation procedure, a surgeon like Cooley uses a robotic-guided camera and an ultrasound image map of the prostate to remove obstructing prostate tissue selectively, with a heat-free water jet. Because it doesn’t use heat like other surgical treatments, aquablation greatly reduces the risk of sexual side effects, according to Cooley. Additionally, the minimally invasive procedure can be effectively used on a range of prostate sizes.  

“Your life doesn’t have to revolve around going to the restroom. That does not have to be your normal,” Cooley explained. “Our care team can discuss your symptoms and experiences to determine the best treatment option to help improve your quality of life.” 

She wants patients in South Carolina to know that there are options. “When it comes to BPH, men need to remember that it’s treatable,” she said.