For over five years Dave, a 57-year-old educator and football coach from Ohio, found himself structuring his daily life around fear of urinary accidents, requiring constant awareness and access to bathrooms in the area.
What started as occasional urinary leakage gradually became a constant source of frustration and uncertainty, leaving him wondering whether he had ever fully emptied his bladder.
"It gets depressing," Dave said. "You start planning your entire life around your bladder."
From the moment he woke up until he went to bed, Dave’s decisions focused on preventing embarrassment and accidents. He found himself wearing dark-colored clothing to hide potential accidents and utilized a portable urinal.
Road trips with his partner, sporting events, and other required outings were no longer fun due to the fear of leakage. Nights were interrupted by frequent bathroom trips, leaving him exhausted during the day.
Determined to find an answer, Dave tried nearly everything his urologist recommended. Over several years, he cycled through multiple medications and pelvic floor physical therapy without noticing any meaningful improvement.
In 2023, he was scheduled to receive a bladder implant to help manage his symptoms, but a serious leg injury forced him to postpone the procedure. When he was finally able to move forward, the implant offered some improvement, but it didn't fully address the problem.
I'm glad I continued searching for answers until I found a treatment option that worked for me.
Dave continued to search for answers that could provide a better solution for him. Looking for a fresh perspective, he sought care from Dr. Timothy Tausch at Avita Health System. After performing a cystoscopy and additional testing, Dr. Tausch found that Dave's enlarged prostate was still creating significant obstruction, forcing him to strain excessively every time he urinated.
Based on the results of the evaluation, Dr. Tausch wanted to address the prostate obstruction that was contributing to Dave's symptoms. He recommended the UroLift™ System, a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that lifts and holds enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra.
After learning more about the procedure and Dr. Tausch's experience performing it, Dave felt confident moving forward.
I could finally empty my bladder. The leakage was gone and I had a normal stream again.
"I could finally empty my bladder," he said. "The leakage was gone, and I had a normal stream again."
After the UroLift procedure, Dave’s symptoms were alleviated almost immediately, and the impact on his daily life has been overwhelming.
Instead of waking multiple times each night to use the bathroom, he now sleeps through the night, feeling ready for the day.
He no longer has to organize every outing around restroom locations or rely on the "pee jug" that had once become part of his everyday life.
Instead of worrying about accidents, Dave could once again focus on teaching, coaching, and enjoying time with family and friends.
Helping Other Men Find Answers
Looking back, Dave believes one of the biggest lessons from his journey was that finding the right treatment can sometimes take time, persistence, and careful evaluation of available options. After seeking a second opinion and
undergoing additional evaluation, Dave and his physician determined that the obstruction created by his enlarged prostate was a significant contributor to his symptoms.
"I'm glad I continued searching for answers until I found a treatment option that worked for me." Dave said. "That's what I'd tell other men. Keep asking questions and working with your healthcare team to find an approach that works for you."
Today, Dave is back to focusing on his students and enjoying everyday life without constantly worrying about his bladder, a freedom he hadn't experienced in years.
Note that Dave's experience is individual and may not be representative of all patients. Results may vary.
References:
* UroLift System Patient Ambassadors are real patients who share their personal experience and are compensated for their time; they do not provide medical advice. Individual results may vary.
1. Yale Medicine. Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph. Accessed 4/6/26.
2. Roehrborn, Can J Urol 2017
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