Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical name for an enlarged prostate gland that occurs with age, which is believed to affect nearly half of all men aged 70 or older. Although it is not cancerous in nature and is not a “serious” problem for most men, it can disrupt your life very significantly. Fortunately, there is a world-renowned team of urologists in LA who have acclaimed expertise in treating BPH.
At Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, we believe that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for BPH. Patient goals, overall health, the severity of the symptoms, and more are all considered when designing a customized enlarged prostate treatment plan. One procedure that could be the answer for many men seeking a solution for BPH is REZUM.
Symptoms of BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia manifests in a variety of ways, including one or more of the following:
- Urinary hesitancy (difficulty starting urination)
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Nighttime sleep interruptions from urinary urges
- Slow urinary flow and having to push to urinate
- Intermittent flow of urine
- Sensation that bladder is not empty after urinating
- Urinary urge incontinence (leakage)
If BPH goes untreated, the consequences can be serious: bladder dysfunction, chronic urinary tract infections, kidney obstructions, and even kidney failure.
Common Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatments
Our prostate specialists provide a range of BPH treatments tailored to each patient’s unique situation and need to provide the best possible outcome.
The following are general BPH treatment options:
- Lifestyle modifications (adjusting fluid intake, bathroom habits, etc.)
- Medications
- Surgery (inpatient or outpatient)
Surgery is very effective as an enlarged prostate treatment but it removes a lot of tissue, which is not always necessary. Also, post-surgery complications, such as duration of downtime, erectile dysfunction, and other urinary issues, make surgery untenable for some patients.
REZUM Treatment
REZUM is a relatively new and minimally invasive procedure that received FDA approval in 2015 after it was found to safely and successfully treat an enlarged prostate on an outpatient basis. Developed by American manufacturer NxThera, the REZUM procedure uses only steam to gradually damage targeted areas (prostate cells) and subsequently shrink the blocking prostate tissue to widen the channel.
Using a convective technology called WAVE®, thermal steam energy generated by radiofrequency is injected into the prostate in 9-second blasts. Heat energy is released into the tissue of the gland, destroying the diseased cells and leading to the body’s natural absorption of the remains before they are naturally and eventually flushed from the body. The overall result is a shrinkage of the prostate by as much as a third.
The REZUM procedure is very quick and requires no incisions. In fact, most patients undergo this enlarged prostate treatment at our Beverly Hills office with only local anesthesia, usually an injection of lidocaine, which makes the procedure more tolerable and reduces downtime.
To learn more about the REZUM treatment, please visit WSJ.com.
The Results of REZUM
REZUM is effective at treating the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate yet without the side effects associated with surgery or medication. Patients can return to daily activities with virtually no downtime, although it might be necessary to wear a catheter for two or three days.
REZUM provides significant relief from the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clinical trials show that it results in noticeable improvement after about three months as well as a 51 percent reduction in urinary symptoms after two years.
The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Enlarged Prostate Treatment
With REZUM, patients can expect the following benefits in as little as two weeks:
- Improved urinary stream
- Ability to completely empty the bladder
- No straining to urinate
- Less frequent urination
- Pain-free urination
- Less nighttime urination
Furthermore, unlike other enlarged prostate treatments in LA, REZUM does no damage to the muscles or nerves associated with normal sexual or urinary function.
Potential Side Effects
While surgery can result in ejaculation or erection issues in nearly three-quarters of men, the results for REZUM showed that only 10% of men experienced ejaculation issues.
REZUM could result in temporary side effects such as painful or frequent urination or the inability to urinate. There also might be the need for patients to wear a catheter for 2-3 days.
Is It Right for You?
REZUM is a revolutionary benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment that could be a good option for men hoping to avoid surgery or unwanted side effects. Other aspects of REZUM treatment to consider are as follows:
- State-of-the-art technology – REZUM can shrink an enlarged prostate by nearly a third safely and effectively
- Minimally invasive – No incisions, no scars, and no anesthesia is required, although it is recommended for patient comfort
- Safe – No unwanted erectile or ejaculatory complications
- Effective – Quick, noticeable improvements that last
- Quick – A single, one-time enlarged prostate treatment in under an hour
Patients also don’t suffer from dizziness or other side effects that medications often cause.
Patients for whom surgery is risky or unnecessary or for whom medications are not effective the revolutionary water vapor therapy of REZUM is a great option. Patients seeking a minimally invasive, highly effective treatment in Los Angeles might find REZUM to their liking.
To Learn More, Contact Comprehensive Urology
An enlarged prostate may not be a serious health condition, but left untreated it can lead to serious issues. REZUM is a BPH treatment option that is minimally invasive yet very effective. To schedule a consultation with our world-renowned urologists at Comprehensive Urology, contact us online or call our Los Angeles office at 310.499.2756.
Next, read Help Fight Urinary Incontinence with Kegel Exercises