A minimally invasive alternative to surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Improve symptoms and preserve function — in a day procedure with rapid recovery.
Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) is a advanced, minimally invasive procedure that treats the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) without the need for traditional surgery.
Through a tiny puncture in the wrist or groin, Dr Rogan navigates a microcatheter to the arteries supplying the prostate. Microscopic particles are then injected to reduce blood flow, causing the prostate to shrink over the following weeks and months.
PAE is performed under local anaesthetic with light sedation, typically as a day procedure. Most men return to normal activities within a few days — a stark contrast to the weeks of recovery often required after surgical alternatives like TURP or open prostatectomy.
Unlike TURP and other surgical options, PAE carries minimal risk of retrograde ejaculation or erectile dysfunction — a critical consideration for many men.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia with conscious sedation, avoiding the risks associated with general anaesthesia.
Most patients are discharged the same day and return to work and daily activities within 1-3 days, compared to 4-6 weeks for surgical alternatives.
PAE can treat prostates of any size, including very large prostates (over 80-100g) that may not be suitable for TURP or laser treatments.
Unlike surgical options where a catheter may be needed for days to weeks, most PAE patients leave without a urinary catheter.
Dr Rogan reviews your symptoms, medical history, and performs or reviews MRI imaging to assess your prostate anatomy and confirm suitability for PAE.
Under local anaesthetic, a tiny catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the wrist (radial artery) or groin. This is guided by real-time X-ray imaging to the prostate arteries.
Microscopic particles (smaller than a grain of sand) are carefully injected to block the blood supply to the enlarged prostate tissue. Both sides are typically treated in the same session.
You rest for a few hours, then go home the same day. The prostate gradually shrinks over 3-6 months, with many men noticing significant improvement in urinary symptoms within weeks.
A comprehensive assessment includes reviewing your International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), urinary flow studies, PSA levels, and MRI imaging to create a personalised treatment plan.
Follow-up appointments at 1 month, 3 months, and 6-12 months track your progress with symptom scores and imaging. Most men experience progressive improvement over 3-6 months.
The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours. You will arrive in the morning and usually be discharged later the same day.
PAE is performed under local anaesthetic with conscious sedation, so you will be comfortable throughout. Mild pelvic discomfort may occur during the procedure and for 1-2 days afterwards, easily managed with simple pain relief.
Both are effective for treating BPH symptoms. PAE offers advantages including no general anaesthetic, same-day discharge, faster recovery, and significantly lower risk of sexual side effects. TURP may provide slightly faster initial symptom relief but requires hospitalisation and has higher complication rates.
In most cases, blood-thinning medications do not need to be stopped for PAE — another advantage over surgical alternatives. Dr Rogan will advise you on your specific medications during your consultation.
PAE is a very safe procedure. Minor side effects can include temporary urinary frequency, mild pelvic discomfort, or small bruising at the access site. Serious complications are rare. The risk of sexual dysfunction is less than 1%, compared to 50-70% with TURP.
PAE is recognised by Medicare and most private health insurers in Australia. Our team can help you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs before proceeding.
Book a consultation with Dr Rogan to find out if Prostate Artery Embolisation is right for you.
Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — an enlarged prostate. During the procedure, tiny particles are injected through a catheter into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate, reducing its blood supply and causing it to shrink. This relieves urinary symptoms without the need for traditional surgery.
PAE is suitable for men experiencing moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by an enlarged prostate (BPH) who have not responded adequately to medication, or who wish to avoid the side effects of long-term drug therapy. It is also an excellent option for men who are not suitable candidates for traditional surgical procedures such as TURP, or who prefer a less invasive approach with faster recovery.
Unlike TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate), PAE does not require general anaesthesia or a hospital stay. PAE is performed under local anaesthesia as a day procedure through a tiny puncture in the wrist or groin. There is no surgical incision, significantly lower risk of sexual side effects such as retrograde ejaculation, and most patients return to normal activities within a few days rather than weeks.
The procedure is performed in an angiography suite under local anaesthesia with light sedation. A small catheter is inserted through the radial artery in the wrist (or occasionally the femoral artery in the groin). Using real-time X-ray guidance, the interventional radiologist navigates the catheter to the prostatic arteries and injects microscopic particles (microspheres) that block blood flow to the enlarged prostate tissue. The procedure typically takes 1–3 hours.
The key benefits of PAE include: no general anaesthesia required, performed as a day procedure with same-day discharge, minimal pain and rapid recovery, preservation of sexual function with very low risk of retrograde ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, no surgical incision (only a tiny needle puncture), and significant improvement in urinary symptoms and quality of life. Most patients notice symptom improvement within 2–4 weeks.
PAE is considered a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Some patients may experience temporary urinary frequency, urgency, or mild discomfort in the first few days — this is known as post-embolisation syndrome and typically resolves within a week. Minor bruising at the puncture site may occur. Serious complications are rare but can include non-target embolisation (particles reaching unintended areas), urinary tract infection, or urinary retention requiring temporary catheterisation.
Recovery after PAE is generally rapid. Most patients go home the same day and can return to light activities within 24–48 hours and normal activities within a week. You may experience some urinary symptoms such as increased frequency or mild burning for the first few days as the prostate begins to respond to the treatment. These symptoms typically resolve quickly. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor your progress and assess symptom improvement.
Published studies suggest that many men experience meaningful improvement in their urinary symptoms after PAE — including better flow, reduced frequency, and fewer night-time awakenings — though results vary between individuals and not everyone responds. The prostate often reduces in size over the months following the procedure, in some men substantially. Improvement commonly develops over the first three to six months. Your specialist can discuss the likely benefits and limitations for your situation.
In most cases, a urinary catheter is not required after PAE. This is one of the significant advantages over traditional surgical options like TURP, where a catheter is routinely needed for several days. In rare cases where a patient experiences temporary urinary retention after PAE, a short-term catheter may be placed, but this is uncommon.
Preparation involves an initial consultation where your interventional radiologist will review your medical history, current medications, and imaging studies (such as MRI or CT). You may be asked to undergo blood tests and a urine flow study. On the day of the procedure, you will be asked to fast for a few hours beforehand. Most blood-thinning medications should be discussed with your doctor, as some may need to be temporarily adjusted.