How Successful Is Prostate Artery Embolization?
Written and medically reviewed by Goke Akinwande, MD — Board-Certified Interventional Radiologist and Medical Director of MINT. Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.
There isn’t one honest success percentage that applies to everyone undergoing prostate artery embolization. Results can be evaluated through changes in urinary symptoms, quality of life, urinary flow, bladder emptying, medication use, catheter independence, or the need for additional treatment. Your individual outcome can depend on factors such as prostate and arterial anatomy, bladder function, treatment planning, and follow-up.
Led by board-certified interventional radiologist Goke Akinwande, MD, Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy provides minimally invasive, image-guided care for individuals in St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL, and surrounding communities. MINT’s specialized experience with embolization allows your expected results to be discussed in the context of your anatomy, symptoms, health history, and goals rather than relying on a single success statistic.
What Does a Successful PAE Result Look Like?
Fewer urinary symptoms
Patients may experience less urgency, frequency, nighttime urination, straining, or incomplete emptying.
Better quality of life
Sleeping longer, traveling more comfortably, and spending less time planning around bathrooms may be meaningful improvements.
Improved urinary function
Some patients demonstrate better urinary flow or more complete bladder emptying.
Reduced reliance on medication
Medication may sometimes be reduced after improvement, but only under physician direction.
Catheter independence
For selected patients with urinary retention, a meaningful goal may be the ability to urinate without a long-term catheter.
When Do PAE Results Begin?
PAE works gradually. Some people notice early changes within several weeks, while others improve over several months as the prostate shrinks and the bladder adjusts. Review PAE recovery and side effects for a closer look at the typical timeline.
How Long Can PAE Results Last?
Many patients experience improvement lasting several years. Long-term research has reported sustained benefit in a substantial number of patients, although some men require additional treatment over time.
Durability can be affected by the original cause of symptoms, prostate and arterial anatomy, completeness of treatment, bladder function, ongoing prostate growth, other urinary conditions, and length of follow-up.
Can Symptoms Return After PAE?
Yes. PAE reduces the blood supply and size of treated prostate tissue, but it does not stop all future prostate growth or eliminate every cause of urinary symptoms.
If symptoms return, options may include medication, repeat PAE, a urologic procedure, or treatment of a bladder-related condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your options can still vary based on your symptoms, anatomy, and treatment priorities. You can compare PAE with TURP and other BPH treatments to understand some of the differences.
Financial considerations can also be part of treatment planning. Learn more about PAE cost and insurance coverage.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Whether PAE is appropriate for you should be determined after evaluation by a qualified medical professional.