BPH & Enlarged Prostate Treatment
An enlarged prostate (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous condition that squeezes the urethra and disrupts urination. When lifestyle changes and medication are not enough, minimally invasive surgery through the urethra — such as HoLEP, ThuLEP, laser vaporisation or TURP — removes the obstructing tissue, relieves symptoms and restores urine flow, usually with a short hospital stay.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that becomes increasingly common as men age. As the gland grows, it presses on the urethra and causes lower-urinary-tract symptoms such as a weak or interrupted stream, hesitancy, frequency, urgency, getting up at night and a feeling of incomplete emptying. Treatment follows a step-by-step ladder: lifestyle measures first, then medication (alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors), and a minimally invasive surgical procedure when symptoms persist, medication is not enough, or complications develop. At Florence Healthcare International our urologists offer modern laser surgery — including HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) and ThuLEP (Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate), which remove the obstructing inner tissue and are especially well suited to larger glands with durable results — as well as laser vaporisation and TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). These procedures are not presented as treatments that cause loss of erectile function; the more common sexual change is dry or retrograde ejaculation.
From your first enquiry, a dedicated international patient coordinator guides you through every step, arranging appointments, travel and accommodation, and acting as your single point of contact. Before you travel, our urology team can carry out a remote second-opinion review of your scans, test results and symptoms so the recommended approach is clear in advance. You also receive a transparent, itemised cost estimate tailored to your case, so there are no surprises once you arrive in Istanbul.
Who is a candidate?
- Bothersome urinary symptoms — weak stream, frequency, urgency or night-time urination — that affect your quality of life
- Symptoms that persist or worsen despite lifestyle changes and a fair trial of medication
- Inability to tolerate, or side effects from, BPH medication
- Complications of BPH such as recurrent urinary retention, repeated urinary infections, bladder stones or blood in the urine
- A confirmed diagnosis of benign (non-cancerous) prostate enlargement after appropriate evaluation
- Generally fit enough to undergo a short procedure under spinal or general anaesthesia
What happens
- 1
Assessment & diagnosis
Your evaluation includes a symptom questionnaire, a physical and digital rectal examination, urine tests, a PSA blood test, a measurement of urine flow and how completely the bladder empties, and an ultrasound to assess prostate size. This confirms that symptoms are due to benign enlargement and rules out other causes.
- 2
Choosing treatment
Your urologist discusses the findings with you and recommends the most suitable option based on your prostate size, symptom severity, general health and personal preferences — whether that is continuing medication or proceeding to HoLEP, ThuLEP, laser vaporisation or TURP. You have time to ask questions before deciding.
- 3
The procedure
Surgery is performed through the urethra with no external incision, usually under spinal or general anaesthesia, as a day-case or short stay. A thin instrument is passed along the urethra and the obstructing prostate tissue is removed or vaporised with the laser or resectoscope. A temporary catheter is placed to drain the bladder.
- 4
Recovery & follow-up
The catheter is usually removed after one to two days once the urine is clear. Mild burning or urgency and traces of blood in the urine are common for a short time and settle with plenty of fluids. Most men return to light activities within one to two weeks. Your coordinator helps arrange follow-up, and results can be reviewed with your urologist or shared with your doctor at home.
Benefits
- Lasting relief from obstructive urinary symptoms and improved urine flow
- Performed entirely through the urethra, with no external incision
- Short hospital stay, often as a day-case or one to two nights
- Laser techniques such as HoLEP suit larger prostates and reduce bleeding
- Erections are usually preserved after surgery
- Tissue removed during surgery is examined to exclude unsuspected cancer
Risks & considerations
- Retrograde (dry) ejaculation, in which semen passes into the bladder rather than out — common and harmless, but it can affect fertility
- Temporary burning, urgency or blood in the urine in the first days or weeks
- Urinary tract infection that may need antibiotics
- Temporary difficulty controlling urine (incontinence), which usually improves
- Narrowing (stricture) of the urethra or bladder neck over time, occasionally needing further treatment
- As with any surgery, small risks of bleeding or reaction to anaesthesia
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This treatment is delivered by our Urology Department.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
BPH & Enlarged Prostate Treatment — frequently asked questions
No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate and does not turn into cancer. However, the two conditions can exist at the same time, so your evaluation includes a PSA blood test and an examination to check for cancer. Any tissue removed during surgery is also examined under a microscope.
All three relieve obstruction by removing the inner prostate tissue through the urethra. TURP uses an electrical loop to shave tissue away, while HoLEP and ThuLEP use laser energy to enucleate the obstructing tissue and often suit larger glands with less bleeding and durable results. The best choice depends on your prostate size, general health and preferences.
Most men keep the ability to have erections after BPH surgery, including HoLEP and ThuLEP. The most common change is retrograde (dry) ejaculation, where semen passes back into the bladder instead of out through the penis. This is harmless and does not affect the sensation of orgasm, but it can reduce fertility, which is worth discussing beforehand if having children is important to you.
Cost and length of stay depend on which procedure you need and your individual circumstances, so we do not quote a single fixed price. After reviewing your case, we provide a transparent, itemised personalised estimate covering the procedure, hospital stay and related care, along with a realistic plan for your time in Istanbul, so you can plan with confidence.
Yes. Our urology team can carry out a remote second-opinion review of your symptoms, scans and test results before you travel. This helps clarify the likely diagnosis and recommended treatment in advance, and your international patient coordinator will guide you through sharing your records securely.
Related treatments
Considering bph & enlarged prostate treatment?
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