Faster Recovery. Greater Comfort.
Recovery from embolization is much faster than invasive surgery because there is no incision to heal or stitches to be removed. The risk of bleeding and complications is lower than with invasive surgery.
Patients who undergo PAE have reported high satisfaction, no urinary incontinence, or sexual side effects. Minor side effects include frequent and/or difficult urination, pelvic pain, blood in the urine, blood in the stool and diarrhea. Most of these side effects resolve on their own in a few days.
Compare that to TURP, which usually requires 3 and 6 weeks to recover, and a catheter is left in place for 2 to 3 days. Complications and risks include excessive bleeding, retrograde ejaculation, and impotence.