PAE in Orange County
Evaluation and patient education for enlarged-prostate symptoms at our Irvine location.
Editorially updated July 20, 2026. This educational page was prepared by SoCal Interventional using the cited primary and authoritative sources. It does not replace an individualized medical evaluation.
Quick answer: Socal Interventional evaluates Orange County patients for prostate artery embolization (PAE) at its Irvine location. PAE is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure for urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is guided through an artery to reduce blood flow to enlarged prostate tissue, allowing gradual shrinkage.
The Irvine office is located at 16100 Sand Canyon Avenue, Suite 130, Irvine, CA 92618. Call (310) 929-0026 or request an appointment. Confirm the correct location and instructions before traveling.
The Irvine location serves men from Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, and surrounding Orange County communities. Patients traveling from Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, or other areas can ask which medical records should be reviewed before an in-person visit.
This page describes the actual Irvine practice location. It does not imply a physical office in every community named above.
BPH can compress the urinary channel and contribute to weak stream, hesitancy, straining, incomplete emptying, frequency, urgency, nocturia, and urinary retention. During PAE, an interventional radiologist uses fluoroscopic imaging to navigate a microcatheter to arteries supplying the prostate. Tiny particles reduce targeted blood flow, and the prostate responds gradually over the following weeks and months.
PAE does not remove prostate tissue through the urethra and commonly does not require general anesthesia. The precise access site, contrast use, sedation, and observation plan are individualized.
An evaluation may be appropriate when urinary symptoms interfere with sleep or daily life and medication is insufficient, poorly tolerated, or not preferred. PAE can also be discussed with selected patients who have a large prostate, urinary catheter dependence, bleeding attributed to the prostate, medical conditions affecting surgical risk, or concerns about ejaculatory side effects.
Symptoms alone are not enough to confirm candidacy. BPH-like symptoms can result from infection, bladder dysfunction, urethral narrowing, medication effects, neurologic conditions, or prostate cancer.
Not every patient requires every test. Read who may qualify for PAE and who needs further evaluation.
A large prostate—including a gland measured around 100, 150, or 200 grams—does not automatically rule out PAE. Size must be interpreted with symptoms, anatomy, bladder function, cancer assessment, arterial access, and treatment goals.
Some patients with BPH-related urinary retention or long-term catheter use may be evaluated. PAE cannot guarantee that a catheter will be removed. The cause and duration of retention and the ability of the bladder muscle to contract are important.
Possible risks include bruising or bleeding at the access site, pelvic discomfort, temporary urinary frequency or burning, infection, urinary retention, blood in the urine or semen, contrast reaction, kidney injury, radiation exposure, unintended embolization, incomplete symptom improvement, and later retreatment.
PAE does not provide prostate tissue for pathology and is not a cancer treatment. No procedure can guarantee preservation of erections, ejaculation, continence, or fertility.
Many patients return home on the treatment day. During early recovery, pelvic pressure, fatigue, urinary urgency, frequency, burning, or access-site soreness may occur. Some patients resume light work within several days; physical jobs and strenuous exercise may require more time.
Improvement usually develops over weeks to months rather than immediately. Continue prescribed medications until the responsible clinician advises a change. Review the PAE recovery timeline and warning signs.
Alternatives may include medication, UroLift, Rezūm, Aquablation, GreenLight, HoLEP, TURP, simple prostatectomy, or observation. A transurethral or surgical approach may provide faster or more direct tissue removal. PAE offers an artery-based procedure and gradual response.
The decision should consider diagnosis, prostate anatomy, bladder function, anesthesia, catheter use, pathology needs, sexual effects, recovery, clinical evidence, retreatment, and insurance. Read PAE vs TURP.
Socal Interventional accepts most PPO plans, Medicare, self-pay, and some IPA plans, subject to individual coverage and authorization. Bring or send relevant urology notes, prostate imaging, PSA history, urinary testing, medication list, prior procedure records, catheter history, and insurance information when requested.
16100 Sand Canyon Avenue, Suite 130, Irvine, CA 92618. Confirm the location for each appointment before traveling.
Coverage depends on the individual plan, medical necessity, provider participation, and authorization requirements. Benefits should be verified before treatment.
PAE may improve nocturia when prostate obstruction is an important cause. Nighttime urination can also result from sleep disorders, fluid balance, medications, diabetes, heart conditions, or bladder dysfunction.
Prior UroLift, Rezūm, GreenLight, TURP, medication, or another treatment does not automatically prevent evaluation. The cause of persistent symptoms and current anatomy must be reviewed.
Improvement is generally progressive over weeks to months. Timing and degree vary, and some patients need further treatment.
Call (310) 929-0026 or request a PAE consultation in Irvine.
Medical disclaimer: This page provides general education and cannot determine individual candidacy or outcome.
Explore more: Visit the PAE Patient Resource Center and review our Medical Editorial Policy.
