Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy

As men get older, it’s common for the prostate to grow larger. This condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), isn’t cancerous. However, it can cause some very frustrating symptoms that interfere with daily life.

Since the prostate surrounds the urethra, an enlarged prostate can put pressure on it and make urination difficult.

You might notice symptoms like:

• Needing to urinate often
• Getting up to use the bathroom throughout the night (nocturia)
• Feeling a sudden, strong urge to go but struggling to make it in time
• Trouble getting the urine stream started
• A weak or slow urine stream
• Feeling like your bladder isn’t completely empty after going
• Stopping and starting multiple times while trying to urinate

These symptoms don’t always mean you have BPH, but they’re good reasons to check in with a urologist to determine the cause of these symptoms.

Rezūm is a treatment that helps shrink the extra prostate tissue that’s causing these urinary problems. Instead of surgery, it uses natural water vapor in the form of steam to treat the prostate.

Steam is delivered directly into the enlarged tissue, which causes those cells to die off. Over time, your body naturally absorbs this treated tissue, creating more space for urine to flow freely again.

Rezūm might be a good option if you:

• Have moderate to severe BPH symptoms that aren’t improving
• Want to avoid long-term medications
• Are looking for a treatment that’s less likely to affect sexual function
• Don’t want a major surgery

Rezūm therapy is usually done in an outpatient setting.

Most men receive a local anesthetic, and some may have light sedation to help them relax. The entire process typically takes less than 30 minutes, and you can head home on the same day.

A thin device is placed through the urethra to reach the prostate. Short bursts of steam, each lasting about 9 seconds, are injected directly into the enlarged tissue. The number of steam injections depends on the size of your prostate.

Most men recover quickly after Rezūm therapy. You may experience some temporary side effects as your body adjusts and begins to heal. Common things you may notice include:

• Feeling the need to urinate more often or more urgently
• A small amount of blood in your urine for a few days
• Mild discomfort or burning when you urinate
• Temporary difficulty fully emptying your bladder

Sometimes, a catheter is placed to help drain urine while the swelling goes down. This is more likely if you already had trouble emptying your bladder before the procedure.

Many men feel ready to get back to light activities within a few days. However, it’s best to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise until your doctor says it’s okay.

It can take several weeks for you to notice the full improvement in your symptoms.

Rezūm therapy has been shown to provide lasting relief for many men, often up to five years or longer. While some men might need another treatment down the road, the need for repeat procedures is low. That makes Rezūm a good option for men looking for longer-term symptom relief without major surgery.

As with any procedure, there are some risks to consider. Most side effects are temporary, but they can include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Temporary difficulty urinating
• Urinary retention
• Mild pain or discomfort during recovery

In rare cases, men might notice changes in ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is a condition where semen travels backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis during orgasm. This happens less often with Rezūm than with more invasive surgeries like TURP.

1. Can I have Rezūm more than once if my symptoms come back?

Yes, if your symptoms return after several years, Rezūm can be repeated. Your doctor will perform an assessment and check your prostate size to see if it’s still the right option for you.

2. Will I definitely need a catheter after the procedure?

Not always. Some men do need a catheter for a few days after Rezūm to help with urine flow. This is especially true if their prostate was quite enlarged or they had trouble emptying their bladder before the procedure. Your doctor will explain what to expect based on your specific situation.

3. Does this treatment affect my PSA levels?

Yes, after Rezūm, your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels may go down because your prostate becomes smaller. Even after treatment, it’s still important to keep up with regular PSA screenings to monitor for any other prostate health issues.