PAE Treatment for BPH Symptoms
PAE is a catheter-based option for selected men with urinary symptoms attributed to an enlarged prostate. It may improve symptoms while avoiding surgery through the prostate—but it is not automatically the best option.
In short: Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a non-surgical, catheter-based treatment for urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate (BPH). It is done as an outpatient procedure by an interventional radiologist, generally preserves erectile function, and suits men whose medication no longer helps enough. At SoCal Interventional, Dr. Nathanael Sabbah evaluates and performs PAE at offices in Van Nuys, Tarzana and Fountain Valley.
Using X-ray guidance, an interventional radiologist advances a small catheter—often from the wrist or groin—to arteries supplying the prostate. Tiny particles reduce selected blood flow. The treated tissue may shrink gradually, reducing pressure on the urethra.
If your BPH medication has stopped working or causes side effects, read PAE vs medication: when BPH pills stop working.
Good candidates are men with bothersome urinary symptoms that a clinical evaluation attributes to BPH, who have not had enough relief from medication or cannot tolerate it, and whose arterial anatomy allows safe catheter access. Men whose symptoms have another cause, or who need the strongest possible improvement in urinary flow, are usually better served by a urologic procedure.
Candidacy depends on symptom burden, prostate anatomy, prior treatment, blood-vessel anatomy, kidney function, medications, other diagnoses, and personal priorities.
PAE treats the prostate from inside its arteries rather than through the urethra, so no tissue is removed and most men go home the same day. Operations such as TURP produce stronger urinary-flow improvement in randomized comparisons; PAE carries a lower risk of ejaculatory side effects and can be repeated or followed by surgery if needed.
The best option is the one that fits your diagnosis and priorities. This overview is intentionally general; specific medications and operations have different profiles.
| Option | Potential role | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Observation / lifestyle measures | Reasonable for some mild, stable symptoms with monitoring. | Does not reliably relieve more burdensome obstruction. |
| Medication | Often first-line; several drug classes may improve symptoms or reduce progression risk. | Side effects, daily use, and incomplete relief are possible. |
| PAE | Catheter-based treatment without removing prostate tissue; outpatient in many cases. | Response may be less than with some operations; repeat treatment can be needed. |
| Urologic procedures | Multiple minimally invasive and surgical choices; some provide stronger flow improvement. | Anesthesia, urinary, bleeding, sexual, or recovery trade-offs vary by procedure. |
For a two-procedure comparison built on the published trials, read PAE vs Aquablation: embolization or robotic waterjet ablation.
For the same kind of comparison with the office-based steam treatment, read PAE vs Rezum: embolization or water-vapor therapy.
Before PAE, expect to discuss recovery, the specific risks of embolization, how success will be measured, and what happens if symptoms do not improve enough. Most men go home the same day; pelvic discomfort, urinary frequency or burning and fatigue for several days are common, and improvement is judged over weeks to months.
Randomized evidence supports symptom improvement from PAE, while longer-term comparative data show that transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can produce stronger objective urinary outcomes.
For a fuller look at the five- and ten-year data, read how long PAE lasts and how often re-treatment is needed.
Individual outcomes vary. Educational information only.
Yes. Dr. Nathanael Sabbah, an interventional radiologist, performs PAE for patients across Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and Orange County from SoCal Interventional’s offices in Van Nuys, Tarzana (serving Encino, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills and Calabasas) and Fountain Valley (serving Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa). Call (310) 929-0026 to book an evaluation.
SoCal Interventional offers PAE evaluations through its Van Nuys, Tarzana and Fountain Valley offices. Start with the guide for your area: Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Tarzana, Fountain Valley, Beverly Hills, Encino or Calabasas. These guides describe the areas we serve; office locations are Van Nuys, Tarzana and Fountain Valley. Learn more about interventional radiology in Fountain Valley and confirm your appointment location before traveling.Often, yes. Medicare and many commercial PPO plans cover PAE when it is medically necessary for BPH symptoms, usually after medication has been tried; prior-authorization rules and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan. The office verifies your benefits before scheduling, and an authorization is not a guarantee of payment.
Coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific plan, medical necessity, provider and facility participation, and authorization requirements. Request benefits verification and a written estimate before treatment; authorization does not guarantee payment. Our PAE cost and insurance guide explains the questions to ask about Medicare, Medicare Advantage PPO, commercial PPO and self-pay arrangements.Searching for “prostate artery embolization near me” from Orange County? Our Fountain Valley PAE office at 10900 Warner Avenue, Suite 101A serves Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and south Orange County; patients formerly seen at our Irvine office are now seen in Fountain Valley, about 15 minutes away on the I-405. See also PAE for Newport Beach. San Diego County men from Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido and the rest of North County are also seen in Fountain Valley, about an hour north on the I-5 and I-405 — see PAE for San Diego County patients. Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley patients are seen in Van Nuys and Tarzana. Call (310) 929-0026 to confirm the best office before traveling.
Use these focused guides to prepare for an individualized discussion. They explain different parts of the decision and do not determine whether PAE is appropriate for you.
People from Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and greater Los Angeles can begin with our Los Angeles PAE guide. For Encino, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, and the western San Fernando Valley, see PAE care in Tarzana. For Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Burbank, Glendale, Reseda, and the central San Fernando Valley, see PAE care in Van Nuys. Patients traveling from Ventura or outside the primary service area should call before traveling to confirm the appropriate office and required records. For Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, and nearby Orange County communities, see PAE care in Fountain Valley, performed by the same interventional radiologist in Fountain Valley at 10900 Warner Avenue. Orange County men weighing medication, UroLift, Rezum and PAE can start with our guide to non-surgical BPH treatment in Orange County.
Looking for prostate artery embolization near you in Los Angeles? Start with the Los Angeles PAE guide. SoCal Interventional serves people from Beverly Hills, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Reseda, Woodland Hills and communities across the San Fernando Valley from the Van Nuys and Tarzana offices. Fountain Valley remains available for Orange County.
15211 Vanowen Street, Suite 305
Van Nuys, CA 91405
18370 Burbank Blvd, 5th Floor
Tarzana, CA 91356
10900 Warner Avenue, Suite 101A
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Call (310) 929-0026 to confirm the appropriate location and request a consultation.
Medical content reviewed by Nathanael Sabbah, MD, interventional radiologist. Last reviewed: October 2026.