Men’s Health

At MCR, our board certified and fellowship-trained interventional radiologists specialize in Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) and varicocele embolization. Both are safe, minimally invasive procedures designed to protect men’s long-term health and fertility. With faster recovery time and less pain, and with outcomes comparable to surgery, Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) and varicocele embolization offer men an effective treatment option that restores comfort and supports reproductive health.

According to the National Institutes of Health, enlarged prostate, or BPH, symptoms affect approximately 50 percent of men in their 50s and as many as 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s. As the prostate gland grows, it can slow or stop the flow of urine from the bladder. This is also called bladder outflow obstruction. 

MCR’s high-qualified interventional radiologists (IRs) are proud to offer Prostate Artery Embolization to treat symptoms of BPH, which can include frequent urination and the urgency to urinate, a slow urine stream, and the inability to completely empty the bladder. BPH may also cause blood in the urine (hematuria).

Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive surgery that may be used to reduce the size of the prostate and relieve the bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms. When compared to traditional surgery, benefits of Prostate Artery Embolization include less pain, faster recovery and minimized risk. It also does not carry the risk of sexual side effects typically associated with invasive prostate surgeries. Improvement in symptoms can start as early as 1 month after the procedure, and peak benefits are typically seen 6 months after. Furthermore, the results from Prostate Artery Embolization are often just as good as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

A recent study published by the Society of Interventional Radiology showed that over 2,000 patients with moderate to severe symptoms due to BPH found that Prostate Artery Embolization has shorter recovery and fewer complications than traditional surgery or TURP. The study found that PAE improves symptoms and quality of life more than medical therapy.*

While there are several different medical and surgical treatments to help men with an enlarged prostate, they sometimes cause unwanted side effects such as retrograde ejaculation and urinary incontinence. Prostate artery embolization, on the other hand, has not been linked to these complications, making it a promising alternative for many patients. Other advantages include relief from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia symptoms such as pain and urinary difficulties for enhanced quality of life and minimal downtime during recovery.

Varicocele refers to the enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, which is the bag of skin that contains the testicles. Veins contain one-way valves that allow blood to flow from the testicles and scrotum back to the heart. However, when the valves do not work properly, blood can pool in the veins, which causes them to enlarge. It can also cause the testicles to overheat, which can damage them and affect fertility. Symptoms of varicocele in the scrotum include:

The procedure does not require open surgery. Instead, only a tiny puncture in the skin is made, which heals on its own without stitches. Compared to surgery, recovery is usually quicker after embolization. Embolization has about a 90% success rate—comparable to the outcomes seen with more invasive surgical options.

To treat varicocele, one of our interventional radiologists will insert a catheter through an incision made in the groin. The catheter is threaded through the vein to the varicoceles. In order to better see your veins on the X-ray, our Interventional Radiologist will inject dye into them. Our Interventional Radiologist will then inject tiny coils to the varicocele, which will prevent blood flow and limit pressure in the veins. 

*Society of Interventional Radiology Multisociety Consensus Position Statement on Prostatic Artery Embolization for Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Be sure to let your doctor know about all medications and supplements you currently take, including over-the-counter and herbal products. Share any allergies you have, especially if they involve local or general anesthesia or contrast dye. In some cases, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin, NSAIDs or blood-thinning medicines before the procedure.

Your healthcare provider will give you detailed preparation instructions for your varicocele embolization procedure, which may include adjustments to your usual medication routine.

If sedation will be used, you will likely be advised not to eat or drink for four to eight hours before the test. Plan ahead by arranging for someone to come with you and drive you home after the varicocele embolization procedure.

When you arrive, a nurse will provide you with a gown to wear during the exam.

6275 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Suite 300, Norfolk, Virginia 23502

 (757) 466-0089