If you are experiencing complete urinary retention (inability to empty the bladder), fever/chills, heavy bleeding, or severe pain, contact emergency or urgent care immediately.

Key facts

  • Trials often show meaningful symptom-score improvements after PAE1,2,3.
  • The size of the improvement may be smaller than with resection, such as TURP, in some comparisons1,3.
  • In a large single-center series of 630 patients, symptom success was about 82% at 1–3 years and 76% at more than 3 years4.
  • In a sham-controlled trial, PAE improved symptom scores by about 13 more points than a fake procedure at 6 months2.
  • Repeat PAE or later surgery remains possible for some men4.
  • Talk with your doctor before you decide. This information does not replace personal medical advice.

How success is measured in PAE studies

PAE studies usually measure success with a symptom score, the same kind of questionnaire BPH guideline care uses to follow change over time5. Trials often show meaningful symptom-score improvements after PAE1,2,3.

In a sham-controlled trial, PAE improved symptom scores by about 13 more points than a fake procedure at 6 months2. The size of the improvement may be smaller than with resection, such as TURP, in some comparisons1,3.

Questions to ask

  • Which symptom score do you use, and what change would count as success for me?
  • Do I compare PAE mainly against TURP, or against other options too?
  • How do you weigh a smaller expected improvement against fewer side effects?

Why this matters: A study's "success" is only as clear as its definition. Ask which score a number came from before you use it to choose. For how the procedures differ in practice, see PAE versus TURP and surgery.

How long the benefit lasts

In a large single-center series of 630 patients, symptom success was about 82% at 1–3 years and 76% at more than 3 years4. That means relief lasted years for many men in that series, and less long for others. A registry in the United Kingdom, UK-ROPE, also follows PAE outcomes6.

Questions to ask

  • What follow-up is planned, and how would we know if the benefit is fading?
  • Which symptoms should make me call sooner rather than waiting for the next visit?
  • Does my prostate size or shape change how long the benefit is likely to last?

Why this matters: A study average is not a promise for one person. Ask how your own follow-up would be handled, including what a return of symptoms would mean.

If symptoms return or do not improve enough

Repeat PAE or later surgery remains possible for some men4. Whether a repeat procedure is an option depends on your arteries, your prostate, and your symptoms.

Questions to ask

  • If PAE does not help enough, what is the next step: a repeat PAE, a urology procedure, or back to medicine?
  • Would a repeat procedure be harder to do than the first one?
  • How do you decide between trying again and moving to a different treatment?

Why this matters: Planning for a weak result is part of choosing. Ask, before you choose PAE, what the next step would be if it does not help enough. The questions to ask before PAE list includes the short version of this page's answer.

Common questions

What is the success rate of prostate artery embolization?

Trials often show meaningful symptom-score improvements after PAE. In a large single-center series of 630 patients, symptom success was about 82% at 1–3 years and 76% at more than 3 years4. Studies define success in different ways, so ask which definition a study used. Talk with your doctor before you decide.

How long does PAE last?

In a large single-center series, symptom success was about 82% at 1–3 years and 76% at more than 3 years4. That means relief lasted years for many men in that series, and less long for others. Ask your doctor how follow-up is handled. Talk with your doctor before you decide.

Can PAE be repeated?

Repeat PAE or later surgery remains possible for some men4. Whether a repeat procedure is an option depends on your arteries, your prostate, and your symptoms. Ask your doctor what choices remain if symptoms come back. Talk with your doctor before you decide.

Does PAE work as well as TURP?

Trials often show meaningful symptom-score improvements after PAE. The size of the improvement may be smaller than with resection, such as TURP, in some comparisons1,3. Talk with your doctor about how that tradeoff fits your priorities.

What if PAE does not work or symptoms return?

Repeat PAE or later surgery remains possible for some men4. A registry in the United Kingdom, UK-ROPE, also follows PAE outcomes6. Ask your doctor, before you choose PAE, what the next step would be if it does not help enough. Talk with your doctor before you decide.

Talk with your doctor before you decide. This information does not replace personal medical advice. Read the medical disclaimer.

Sources

  1. Abt et al., BMJ 2018, PAE versus TURP (PMID 29921613) ↩︎
  2. Pisco et al., Eur Urol 2020, PAE versus sham (PMID 31831295) ↩︎
  3. Cochrane review of PAE, 2022 (PMID 35349161) ↩︎
  4. Pisco et al., JVIR 2016, PAE medium- and long-term outcomes in 630 patients (PMID 27321890) ↩︎
  5. BPH guideline, Part I (PMID 34384237) ↩︎
  6. UK-ROPE registry of prostate artery embolization (PMID 29645352) ↩︎