California Urologists Raise Awareness of Prostate Artery Embolization for Enlarged Prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that can cause frequent urination, nighttime bathroom visits, urinary urgency, weak urine flow, and difficulty completely emptying the bladder. These symptoms can disrupt sleep, daily activities, travel, and overall quality of life.

A minimally invasive treatment for BPH

PAE is an image-guided procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. During the procedure, a small catheter is guided into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. Microscopic particles are then delivered to reduce blood flow to the enlarged prostate tissue, allowing it to gradually shrink and relieve pressure on the urinary tract.

The procedure does not require an open surgical incision and is generally performed on an outpatient basis. For appropriately selected patients, PAE may offer symptom relief with a shorter recovery period than traditional prostate surgery.

The American Urological Association states that PAE may be offered for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH when performed by properly trained physicians following a discussion of its potential risks and benefits.

Coordinated urologic and interventional radiology care

Because urinary symptoms can result from several different conditions, Prestige Medical Group begins with a comprehensive urologic evaluation. The practice considers each patient’s symptoms, prostate size, medical history, and treatment priorities before recommending a procedure.

Patients are evaluated by the practice’s urology team, led by Dr. Gabal and Dr. Sawkar, who together bring more than three decades of combined experience in urologic care. Dr. Sawkar, a board-certified urologic surgeon trained at Northwestern University and the University of Southern California, specializes in robotic and minimally invasive treatment of BPH, kidney stones, prostate conditions, and voiding dysfunction.

Qualified patients may then receive PAE through a coordinated care model involving urology and interventional radiology.

“Choosing the right treatment requires more than identifying an enlarged prostate,” Dr. Gabal said. “Our collaborative approach allows us to evaluate the whole patient and provide an individualized recommendation based on his health, symptoms, anatomy, and personal priorities.”

More than 25 years of urologic experience

Dr. Lamia Gabal is board-certified in urology and holds subspecialty certification in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She has more than 25 years of experience in pelvic medicine, minimally invasive procedures, sexual wellness, and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Gabal has been recognized as a Top Doctor by the Orange County Medical Association for 17 consecutive years. As Principal Investigator for multiple clinical trials, she also contributes to research involving emerging treatments in urology, pelvic medicine, and sexual health.

Dr. Hari Sawkar is a board-certified urologic surgeon who joined Prestige Medical Group in 2025. A graduate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, he completed his urology residency at the University of Southern California, where he trained across urologic subspecialties. Dr. Sawkar specializes in da Vinci robotic surgery and minimally invasive treatment of BPH, prostate cancer, kidney stones, and voiding dysfunction.

Learn more about PAE in Orange County

Men experiencing frequent urination, nighttime urination, weak urine flow, urinary urgency, or other symptoms of an enlarged prostate can request an evaluation at Prestige Medical Group.