I have just spent a couple of hours researching different methods of reducing the size of an oversized prostate.
Apparently the growth is attributed to a weakness of certain valves which are supposed to direct Testosterone into the proper place. this weakness allows T to back up into the prostate which causes it to grow.
Treatment comes in two major catagories:
1. Cut, dice, burn or laser away tissue to relieve the pressure on the uretha. The first drawback of this is it is difficult to avoid cutting away things that are innocent, causing side effects such as incontenance or impotence. The second drawback is that the prostate continues to grow, and soon you have to have it done again, (if you live long enough.)
2. Attack the source of the problem. This is called the Gat Goren method. It was developed in Israel by two docs named Gat and Goren. It involves going in through the femoral artery and going up in the blood vessels which supply blood to critical areas and cutting them off. The result is that over time the prostate will grow smaller, over a period of as much as 2 years, with immediate results taking several months. It impacts none of the areas which control continence or potency.
The GG method is pretty new and I am not sure if it can be covered by Medicare or not. It is also not offered in the US (I don't think).
I am advised that Urologists will poo pooh it because it is done by a vascular surgeon instead of a Urologist.