“I see the colours of life again”: Eulogio’s recovery journey with benign prostatic hyperplasia

For 69-year-old Eulogio, painting in his studio and taking walks with his wife have long been part of his routine. Nearly 25 years ago, he began experiencing prostate-related symptoms that he initially attributed to ageing.

Living with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Over time, Eulogio’s symptoms of prostate enlargement intensified. Frequent sleepless nights took a toll on his energy and brought growing frustration into his daily life. “I felt like a slave to all these symptoms,” he recalls. “There came a time when I could no longer rest.”

At first, medications helped him cope for a time, but as the years went by, the relief became less effective, and his condition gradually worsened. Nights were disrupted by hourly visits to the bathroom, and even then, he struggled to urinate, a situation that also affected his wife’s quality of life. As Eulogio’s symptoms continued to worsen, it became clear that something needed to change.

 

Eulogio, HoLEP patient

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, is the non-malignant growth of the prostatic tissue surrounding the urethra.¹ As the tissue enlarges, it can compress the urethra, which can obstruct the flow of urine, leading to symptoms such as a weak or interrupted urine stream, difficulty starting and stopping urination, inability to completely empty the bladder, frequent or urgent need to urinate,² and nocturia³. The condition is common and becomes more frequent with age. Among men aged 50 and older, prevalence ranges from 50% to 75%, increasing to approximately 80% in men aged 70 and above. ⁴ In Europe alone, millions of men live with this condition.⁵  

Exploring BPH treatment options: what is the HoLEP procedure?

Like many men, Eulogio initially believed his symptoms were simply part of getting older. According to his physician, Dr. Ivan Schwartzmann, urologist at Fundació Puigvert Hospital in Barcelona, this is a common misconception. While BPH becomes more frequent with age, symptoms should not be dismissed as an inevitable consequence of ageing, as they can have a significant impact on quality of life, and effective treatments options are available.

As Eulogio’s symptoms progressed, he and Dr. Schwartzmann discussed different approaches to treatment. One option stood out - a laser-based procedure known as Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate, or HoLEP. HoLEP is a minimally invasive surgical technique that removes excess prostate tissue using a laser, which can improve urine flow without the need for external incisions.⁶  Depending on the individual patient needs, and clinical assessment, some people may not require an extended hospital stay.⁷ After careful consideration, Eulogio decided to move forward with this procedure.

Recovery after HoLEP: the impact on Eulogio’s day-to-day life

From the very first day after surgery, Eulogio noticed a clear difference. “The recovery was incredible. I see the colours of life so much brighter now.”  Today, Eulogio has gained back his quality of life, independence, daily activities and family life.

Learn more about Eulogio’s experience by watching the video below:

To learn more about benign prostatic hyperplasia, visit our urology health conditions website.