BPH Treatment Brisbane & Rockhampton
If you are waking through the night to urinate, straining to start a stream, or finding it harder to fully empty your bladder, you may be experiencing the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). At Urology NOW, Dr David J Gordon Brown provides the full range of modern treatments for an enlarged prostate, including HoLEP, iTind, Rezum and TURP.
Dr Brown was the first urologist in Australia accredited to perform the iTind procedure, and has more than a decade of experience performing and teaching holmium and thulium laser enucleation of the prostate.
Understanding BPH
What is BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the prostate grows with age, it can press on the urethra and restrict urinary flow, causing a range of bothersome symptoms.
BPH is extremely common. Around half of Australian men in their 50s will have some degree of prostate enlargement, and that figure rises steadily with age. BPH is not prostate cancer and does not increase your risk of developing prostate cancer, but the symptoms can significantly affect sleep, confidence and quality of life if left untreated.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Symptoms often develop gradually, and many men dismiss them as a normal part of ageing. They are not. Early assessment means more treatment options, less disruption to daily life, and a lower risk of complications such as urinary retention or bladder damage.
If these symptoms sound familiar, book a consultation with Dr Brown. Most private health insurers cover specialist urology consultations, and Medicare rebates apply with a valid GP referral.
Diagnosis
How BPH is Diagnosed
Dr Brown will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination, including a digital rectal examination to assess prostate size and firmness. Depending on your symptoms, further tests may include:
These investigations help Dr Brown build a precise picture of your prostate and bladder function, so the treatment recommendation is tailored to your anatomy and lifestyle rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
BPH Treatment Options at Urology NOW
There is no single best treatment for an enlarged prostate. The right option depends on prostate size, symptom severity, your general health, and how important preserving sexual function and avoiding a long recovery are to you.
Dr Brown offers the full modern treatment ladder, from medication through to the most advanced laser surgery, so your plan can be genuinely matched to your needs.
1. Medication (First-Line for Mild to Moderate BPH)
For many men with early or mild symptoms, medication is enough to restore comfortable urinary function. Two main drug classes are used:
Medication works well for many men, but it does not shrink the prostate permanently, and side effects such as dizziness, retrograde ejaculation and reduced libido can become a burden over time. If symptoms return, worsen or become difficult to manage, a procedural option is usually the next step.
2. iTind
Dr Brown was the first Olympus-accredited urologist in Australia to perform the iTind procedure, and has been implanting iTind since September 2022.
iTind (Temporarily Implanted Nitinol Device) is a minimally invasive therapy for BPH. A small nitinol device is placed inside the prostatic urethra and gently reshapes the prostate over five to seven days. The device is then removed in a short outpatient visit, leaving no permanent implant behind.
Key benefits of iTind
iTind is best suited to men with small to moderate prostate enlargement who want durable symptom relief without a major procedure or ongoing medication.
iTind Procedure
3. Rezum: Water Vapour Therapy
Rezum uses precisely targeted bursts of sterile water vapour (steam) to gently destroy excess prostate tissue. Over the following weeks, the body reabsorbs the treated tissue, shrinking the prostate and opening up the urethra.
Key benefits of Rezum
A short-term urinary catheter is usually required for several days after Rezum, and mild urinary irritation is common for a few weeks while the prostate tissue is reabsorbed. Rezum is best suited to small and moderately enlarged prostates.
4. HoLEP: Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (Dr Brown’s Specialty)
HoLEP is widely considered the gold standard surgical treatment for BPH. Dr Brown uses the Olympus Soltive thulium laser to perform this technique, and has more than a decade of experience performing and teaching laser enucleation.
During HoLEP, a fine laser fibre is passed through the urethra and used to carefully separate the enlarged inner portion of the prostate from its outer capsule, much like peeling an orange. The freed tissue is then removed through the same access route. Because the laser seals blood vessels as it works, bleeding is minimal and the procedure can often be performed safely in men who remain on blood-thinning medication.
Key benefits of HoLEP
HoLEP is particularly valuable for men with larger prostates, men on anticoagulants, and men who want the most definitive long-term result. Retrograde (dry) ejaculation is common after HoLEP and is permanent. This is not harmful but is something Dr Brown will discuss with you in detail before the procedure.
5. TURP: Transurethral Resection of the Prostate
TURP is the long-established surgical treatment for BPH, in which a telescopic instrument is passed through the urethra and an electrical loop is used to trim away the obstructing prostate tissue. It remains an effective option in selected patients, particularly those with moderate prostate size where laser facilities are not available.
For most men considering surgery, Dr Brown will recommend HoLEP over TURP because of the lower bleeding risk, shorter catheter time, and no upper prostate size limit. However, TURP still has a role and will be discussed honestly as part of your options.
BPH Treatment Comparison at a Glance
The table below summarises the main differences between BPH treatments. Your specific recommendation will be based on prostate size, symptom severity, general health and personal priorities such as recovery time and sexual function.
| Feature | Medication | iTind | Rezum | HoLEP | TURP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Non-invasive | Minimally invasive | Minimally invasive | Surgical (laser) | Surgical |
| Anaesthetic | None | Light sedation | General or spinal | General or spinal | General or spinal |
| Overnight stay | None | Day procedure | Usually day procedure | 1 to 2 nights | 1 to 3 nights |
| Catheter time | None | None post-removal | Around 3 to 7 days | Around 24 hours | Around 2 to 3 days |
| Preserves sexual function | Varies by drug | Yes (high likelihood) | Yes (high likelihood) | Ejaculation often altered | Ejaculation often altered |
| Suits large prostates | Yes (symptom control) | Smaller prostates | Small to moderate | Any size (no upper limit) | Up to about 100cc |
| Durability of result | Ongoing medication | Good medium-term | Good medium-term | Excellent long-term | Excellent long-term |
| Return to normal activity | Immediate | A few days | A few days to two weeks | Around two weeks | Around four weeks |
These figures are a general guide only. Individual results, recovery times and side effects vary. Dr Brown will go through your specific risks and expected outcomes at your consultation.
Expertise & Experience
Why Choose Dr David Brown for BPH Treatment
Choosing where and with whom to have your prostate treated matters. At Urology NOW, every consultation, procedure and follow-up is performed personally by Dr Brown. There is no rotating team of junior doctors, and your care is not handed off between surgeons.
First iTind-accredited surgeon in Australia
Dr Brown pioneered this procedure in the country and has been performing it since 2022.
HoLEP teaching experience
With more than a decade of laser enucleation experience, Dr Brown trains other surgeons in the technique for Olympus.
The full modern BPH toolkit
Very few Queensland urologists offer HoLEP, iTind, Rezum and TURP. This means your treatment is genuinely matched to your prostate, not limited to what the surgeon happens to perform.
Continuity of care
As a sole practitioner, Dr Brown personally oversees every stage of your journey, from first consultation to final follow-up.
Regional commitment
Unlike fly-in, fly-out specialist models, Dr Brown spends full weeks in Rockhampton at Mater Private Hospital, meaning patients in Central Queensland receive the same access and follow-up as those in Brisbane.
Transparent care
Clear information on costs, Medicare rebates and what to expect at every stage, so you can make informed decisions about your health.
Dr Brown’s qualifications: MBChB (Glas), AFRCS (Ed), FRCSEd (Urol), FRACS (Urol), FFRRHH (Ed), DipOccMed, RAF Retd. He also serves as Director of Urology Services at Redcliffe Hospital and Vice Chair of the Rural Surgery Section of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Patient Journey
What to Expect: Your Patient Journey
1Get a Referral
Your GP writes a standard specialist referral to Dr Brown, which keeps your Medicare rebate active.
2Initial consultation
Dr Brown reviews your symptoms, history and any previous test results, performs an examination, and explains the next steps.
3Diagnostic workup
Any additional tests (flow study, cystoscopy, imaging, blood tests) are arranged, often on the same day where possible.
4Treatment plan
Dr Brown walks you through your options, including the pros and cons of each, and answers every question. You leave with a clear plan and a written summary for your GP.
5Procedure
Performed at Peninsula Private (Kippa-Ring), Sunnybank Private, or Mater Private Rockhampton, depending on the procedure and your preferred location.
6Follow-up
Post-procedure review with Dr Brown personally to confirm recovery is on track and your symptoms have resolved.
Where We Treat
Where Dr Brown Sees and Treats Patients
All three locations are supported by accredited operating theatres and experienced nursing teams, with full pre-admission, procedural and recovery facilities.
North Brisbane
Peninsula Private Hospital
Florence Street (cnr George Street), Kippa-Ring QLD
South Brisbane
Sunnybank Private Hospital
245 McCullough Street, Sunnybank QLD 4109
Rockhampton
Mater Private Hospital
Ward Street, Rockhampton City QLD 4700
Speak with Dr Brown About Your BPH Treatment Options
You do not need to live with the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Whether you are just beginning to notice changes or have been managing BPH for years, Dr Brown will help you understand your options clearly and choose the approach that best fits your life.
FAQ