Prostate artery embolisation is a non-invasive procedure that shrinks the prostate to treat a range of urinary problems. We offer this safe and effective treatment as a day procedure in our first-class angiography suite at The London Clinic.
Prostate artery embolisation
Also known as: treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, treatment for benign prostate enlargement
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
Shrinking the prostate
On this page
Treatment overview
The prostate is a small gland, located in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder. It often grows larger the older a man gets.
Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that can quickly and safely shrink the prostate to treat urinary problems. At London Urologica, we carry out prostate artery embolisation in our state-of-the-art angiography suite at The London Clinic.
First, you will be thoroughly assessed by a world-class urologist to check your suitability for this type of treatment.
The PAE will then be performed by one of our leading urology consultants. The procedure usually takes around two hours and does not involve an overnight stay.
An expert multidisciplinary team will also support you throughout the day of your procedure and during your recovery. This typically takes around four hours.
Most men go back to normal activities within 48 hours. However, it is sensible not to do anything too strenuous. Your consultant will arrange a post-op appointment with you to discuss the effectiveness of the embolisation.
When compared to the surgical procedure TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate), PAE is often seen as a better option. This is because PAE may: • Maintain sexual function and fertility • Reduce the risk of retrograde ejaculation (when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm) • Result in no scars • Lead to you returning to full mobility within 48 hours • Result in little or no blood loss
A prostate artery embolisation at London Urologica typically involves a patient being admitted and discharged on the same day. For the procedure itself, you will be laid on an X-ray table and sedated by a consultant anaesthetist. A thin plastic tube (catheter) is then inserted into an artery in your groin. Using an X-ray for guidance, your consultant will thread the catheter into either your left or right prostate artery. Once the catheter is in the correct position, your consultant will slowly inject a fluid containing microparticles. The microparticles block the blood supply to the prostate gland, making the prostate shrink. Your consultant will repeat the procedure on your other prostate artery.
Our world-class urological consultants, anaesthetists and nursing staff work together to minimise risks and support safe recovery. No significant dangers are associated with prostate artery embolisation, but the procedure can: • Result in a small bruise at the site of the injection. • Cause mild pain during and after the procedure, which does not usually last more than one to three days. • Fail in a very few cases because of the complexity of finding prostate arteries. If the procedure is not successful, TURP surgery could be used to shrink the prostate instead.
Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that is used to shrink an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This can help with the following problems: • Reduced urine stream • Frequently needing to wee • Leakage of wee • Trouble starting to wee • Difficulty fully emptying the bladder • A urinary tract infection
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.