Treating an Enlarged Prostate with Rezūm and UroLift
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when a male’s prostate swells, which in turn puts pressure on the urethra and prevents urine from being able to pass. BPH is a common occurrence seen in men as they age, affecting about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60, and 90% of men older than 80.
Although the likelihood of developing BPH becomes greater as you age, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to live with the symptoms of it forever. Thankfully, there are treatments and procedures that can help you live more comfortably with your BPH. UroLift and Rezūm are two outpatient procedures approved by the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for managing BPH in patients. These minimally invasive surgical therapies have been shown to provide significant relief for BPH patients, resulting in a better quality of life.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of using UroLift or Rezūm to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia so you can be aware of the best treatment for enlarged prostate.
What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs when the prostate and surrounding tissues expand. Typically, a male’s prostate is roughly the size of a walnut or golf ball, however, it has the potential to grow up to the size of an orange as the gland grows. Over time, the bladder may weaken to the point that it loses the ability to empty fully, also known as urinary retention, causing many of the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of BPH. These symptoms can include:
- Weak or irregular urine stream
- Straining to urinate
- Starting and stopping during urination
- Frequent urge to urinate throughout the night
- Blood in urine
- Having to urinate again shortly after urination
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a urologist as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to diagnose you and plan accordingly for the best treatment to relieve you of your BPH symptoms. Continue reading to learn more about the best treatment for enlarged prostate.
Treating BPH With Rezūm Water Therapy
Rezūm water therapy is a great option to provide lasting relief for those who do not want to treat BPH with medication or invasive surgery. This is a non-surgical treatment that uses the power of water, vapor, or steam, to remove excess prostate tissue that is pressing against the urethra, causing lower urinary tract symptoms.
Rezūm is a non-invasive, quick procedure that is usually performed in a urologist’s office. The treatment itself only lasts about nine seconds. During these nine seconds, sterile water vapor is released throughout the target prostate tissue. When the steam contacts the tissue, it kills the excess prostate cells blocking the urethra. Eventually, the body’s natural healing response absorbs the treated tissue. When the extra tissue is removed, the urethra opens and therefore, reduces BPH symptoms. Patients have reported feeling relief in as soon as two weeks with this treatment.
Benefits of Using Rezūm Water Therapy
Having BPH can mean frequent trips to the bathroom and even interrupted sleep. The greatest benefit of Rezūm water therapy is how it works to relieve frustrating BPH symptoms that otherwise may still be present. Rezūm water therapy does not require painful surgery or medication, and is minimally invasive. Additionally, It’ll give you the opportunity to have a strong steady stream without having to take prostate medications or recover from a surgery.
Rezūm is a great option for those who want a “quick fix”. The flexibility of being able to have this procedure done in-office without having to undergo general anesthesia makes Rezūm water therapy less invasive than traditional surgeries. You can even go home immediately after the procedure is finished!
Treating BPH with UroLift
Similar to Rezūm, UroLift is a one time, in-office procedure that provides rapid relief and recovery for men living with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The UroLift system is a relatively straightforward procedure that utilizes tiny implants to lift the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra so that urine is no longer blocked. The main goal of the UroLift system is to relieve symptoms of BPH so patients can resume their daily activities without having to stress about constantly going to the bathroom.
UroLift is the only transurethral BPH treatment that does not require ongoing medication, cutting, heating, or removal of the prostate tissue. The UroLift procedure is done in just three easy steps:
- The UroLift delivery device is placed through the obstructed urethra to access the enlarged prostate.
- UroLift implants are permanently placed to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way and increase the opening of the urethra.
- The UroLift system treatment provides fast and reliable symptom relief by opening the obstructed urethra, allowing for urine to pass.
Benefits of Using UroLift
As you know, benign prostatic hyperplasia can have a negative impact on a man’s quality of life. An advantage of UroLift is that it doesn’t just treat BPH symptoms, but it completely removes the blockage to the urethra so that lower urinary tract symptoms do not worsen or reoccur. Similar to Rezūm, UroLift is noninvasive and a relatively easy procedure that will have you returning to daily activities in no time.
Which Treatment is Right for Me?
Ultimately, the decision of which treatment would be best for your enlarged prostate should be decided between you and your healthcare provider. It’s important to discuss the process for each procedure with your doctor to determine the best treatment for enlarged prostate. Rezūm and UroLift have some key similarities such as they both can be done in office, have minimal to no recovery time, and are noninvasive procedures.
Both treatments will resolve your enlarged prostate symptoms and give you peace of mind. If neither of these options seem right for you, there are alternative methods to treat BPH, such as medications or surgery.
Other Available BPH Treatments
Although Rezūm and UroLift are the best treatment for enlarged prostate, they aren’t the only methods available to you. The severity of BPH varies from person to person, so not every treatment will be effective for every patient. Discussing the different treatment options with your doctor to identify the best course of action for you is always your best bet in finding symptom relief. Other available treatments for BPH include:
- Lifestyle changes: These lifestyle changes can include reducing liquid intake, bladder training, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine, and regularly exercising the pelvic muscles.
- Medication: There are two main types of medications used to treat BPH, alpha blockers and five-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Alpha blockers work by relaxing the prostate bladder muscles to encourage urine flow. Five-alpha reductase inhibitors partially shrink the prostate by reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone.
- Surgery: Since there are other less invasive options with a shorter recovery time, surgery is only typically recommended for patients with more severe BPH symptoms. Surgery involves making incisions inside the prostate to remove the excess prostate tissue blocking the urethra.
If you’re suffering from symptoms of BPH, contact your nearest Urology Specialist of the Carolinas to schedule a visit with our incredible and experienced staff.