Prostate Myths vs Facts for Men Over 50 | Minimally Invasive Options at SFVA

Sam (52) and his cousin John (63) have officially joined the BPH club (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).

In simple terms, Sam is part of the 50% of men ages 51–60 whose prostate gets bigger with age, and John falls into the 60–69 group, where about 70% of men deal with the same condition.

They talk about it often, and they still find it a bit ironic that they ended up dealing with the same condition — especially because their lifestyles couldn’t be more different. Sam is very sedentary and the king of weekend barbecues at home, while John runs 30 km a week on the beach, eats clean, and stays in great shape for his age.

So… what’s actually true and what’s just a myth when it comes to the prostate? 

In this blog, we’ll break down some of the most common myths so you can start thinking about what to do next and make a clear, well-informed decision.

Myth vs. Fact — the real prostate issues after 50

Myth 1 — “Going all the time is just part of being old.”

Fact: Frequent urination isn’t just “normal aging.” It can be a symptom of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), where the prostate grows and compresses the urethra, making it harder to urinate normally.

Myth 2 — “If it’s not painful, it’s not serious.”

Fact: Many prostate symptoms show up slowly and subtly. Issues like urinary urgency, waking up at night, or a weak stream may not hurt — but they can severely impact quality of life and should not be ignored.

These symptoms are exactly what minimally invasive procedures like Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) aim to treat.

Myth 3 — “Surgery is the only way to fix prostate problems.”

Fact: Not anymore. Traditional prostate surgeries such as  TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate),  involves a special instrument being passed through the penis (via the urethra) to shave away the overgrown part of the prostate; it is performed under general anesthesia, and it has a long recovery and sexual side effects. By contrast, PAE is minimally invasive, requires only a tiny needle puncture in the groin, and is done as an outpatient procedure without any sexual side effects.

Myth 4 — “Prostate growth happens only if you’re unhealthy.”

Fact: Aging  is the main  factor. Even men who live active, healthy lives (like John) can develop prostate enlargement simply due to hormonal and tissue changes over time.

Other risks — like obesity, metabolic disease, and poor circulation — do contribute. But PAE is effective regardless of lifestyle factors, because it targets blood flow directly.

When you should talk to a specialist

Consider a consultation if you’re experiencing:

• Frequent or urgent urination
  
• Weak or slow urine flow
  
• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  
• Waking up for bathroom trips several times at night
  
• Any new discomfort related to urination

Why choosing minimally invasive treatment makes sense at SFVA

Expert care, Tailored to you

Dr. William Julien is a leading interventional radiologist and vascular specialist with more  than 30 years in vascular care and embolization procedures. His team specializes in prostate artery embolization, helping men get symptom relief without the disruption of surgery and without sexual side effects.

Comfort Comes First

At South Florida Vascular Associates,  experience matters. The office has a calm, spa-like ambiance — everything is designed to make the patient  feel relaxed and comfortable unlike entering a hospital.

SFVA can help you understand whether your symptoms are from BPH and if a minimally invasive treatment like PAE could be right for you.