Overcoming Time-Consuming and Embarrassing Urinary Issues with the UroLift™ System
Ron has always lived an active life. Now retired, he stays busy with landscaping around his property, enjoys skiing in winter, boating in summer, and taking road trips alongside his wife. “The busier I am, the happier I am,” Ron has always said. But in his late 60s, he began to notice troubling urinary symptoms that slowly started to control his life.
“I’d be standing at the urinal, unable to go, and could feel the pressure of the line of people behind me. It was humiliating”
Instead of enjoying his golden years, Ron found himself constantly on the lookout for the nearest restroom. Long car rides required pre-planning for bathroom stops, and he carried a portable urinal “just in case.” On more than one occasion, Ron even had to pull to the side of the road to urinate out of necessity, fearing the impact of what an accident would do to his confidence.
At night, he was waking up two or three times to use the bathroom, leaving him sleep-deprived and worn down. Even quick stops at public restrooms became stressful. Not only was Ron dealing with frequent urges to use the restroom, but when he tried, there was never a sense of fully voiding his bladder, which only led to further anxiety moving forward.
“I’d be standing at the urinal, unable to go, and could feel the pressure of the line of people behind me. It was humiliating,” Ron said. “I felt like I needed a squirt bottle in my pocket just to prove I was trying.”
Though frustrated, Ron didn’t initially voice his concerns to his primary care doctor. “I’m a guy,” he explained. “We don’t talk about these things.” Despite this, he was disappointed that prostate exams were no longer routinely performed at his PCP’s practice. “That was a missed opportunity,” he added.
Seeking a Solution
Determined to take back control of his health, Ron first learned that his urinary issues were caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. From there, he started researching and considering available treatment options. One option, surgery, didn’t appeal to him. “There’s no good time for surgery, especially if you’re active,” he said.
He had gone through other procedures in the past and didn’t want an extended recovery period keeping him from being active. Another treatment option, medications, also didn’t seem like the right fit. Ron learned that medications would be lifelong, may provide only limited symptom relief, and could cause unwanted side effects.1
Through his own research and discussions with friends, Ron discovered the UroLift System™, a proven approach to treating BPH that lifts and holds enlarged prostate tissue out of the way, so it no longer blocks the urethra. “It was a no-brainer to me,” he said. “It was less invasive than traditional surgery, recovery was quick, and it just made sense for me.”
In June 2025, under the care of Dr. Gerard Pregenzer of Pregenzer Urology in Hartford, Connecticut, Ron underwent the UroLift System procedure. “Recovery was straightforward, and I was quickly back to my normal routine,” Ron recalled. Within just a few weeks, he began noticing major improvements to his sleep schedule and flow.
“I don’t have to think about it anymore. That’s the best part. Life is good!”
Living Life on His Terms
Today, Ron rarely wakes up overnight. He no longer needs to plan his day around rest stops, and he has abandoned his portable urinal completely. Ron is back to living an active, hands-on life—boating, landscaping, and taking trips—without interruptions or worry. More than ever, Ron is eager to hit the ski slopes this winter, but this time free from the stress of urinary issues.
“I don’t have to think about it anymore,” Ron said. “That’s the best part. Life is good!”
Now, Ron shares his experience with others and is passionate about raising awareness for men’s health. “Women often discuss their health issues. It’s about time that men start talking, too,” he said. “Not a lot of people know about the UroLift System, but I’m glad I did it, and I want other guys to know they don’t have to suffer in silence.”
Are you experiencing symptoms similar to those Ron had? Locate a urologist in your area using our physician finder and schedule a consultation to assess your bladder and prostate health.
MAC03147-01 Rev A
References:
AUA BPH Guidelines 2003, 2010
