Men: A modern, non-surgical treatment for enlarged prostate (Rezūm Procedure)

Do you also find it a little difficult to urinate as you age? Does your urethra become narrower, and do you urinate intermittently? Or do you have to get up several times a night to urinate? These are common problems that many men face as they age. The main reason for this is an enlarged prostate gland, which we medically call `(Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - BPH)`. So even if you take medicine for this, sometimes it does not provide complete relief. Many people are afraid of going for surgery as the next step. That is why the latest, non-surgical treatment method that we are talking about today is very important for such people. Let's talk about this `Rezūm` treatment in simple terms.

Simply put, what is this Rezūm treatment?

`Rezūm` is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It involves using a special device to direct pure water vapor (steam) at the enlarged areas of your prostate. The energy in the steam destroys the enlarged cells, causing them to shrink over time.

Think of it like boiling something with water vapor. But this is done in a very controlled manner, only in a specific area. This device is inserted through your urethra, so there is no need to cut or stitch anywhere in your body. Before the treatment, the area is numbed so that you don't feel any pain, so you don't feel much discomfort. This is also called Water Vapor Therapy.

Who is this treatment suitable for? And who is it not suitable for?

This treatment is mainly done for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Did you know that the prostate is a gland located near the bladder in men? As we age, it gradually enlarges. As it enlarges, the urethra that runs through it begins to tighten. That's when the aforementioned symptoms of difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and the feeling of having to urinate after you've finished urinating occur.

However, not everyone can undergo this treatment. There are some cases where doctors do not recommend it.

• If you have complications related to kidney function .
• If you have a urethral implant.
• If your prostate is very large (usually more than 80 grams).

Your doctor will examine you and determine whether you have this condition or not.

How the treatment is done and how long it takes

This `Rezūm` treatment is not something that requires a long stay in a large operating theater. It can usually be done in the doctor's office (an office procedure).

Before and during treatment

First, the doctor will ask you to urinate and come back. Then, a local anesthetic will be given to numb the urethra and the area around the prostate gland so that you don't feel any pain or discomfort during the treatment.

Then, the urologist inserts a long, thin, handheld device called a speculum into your urethra. A tiny needle comes out of the end of the tube and shoots steam at the enlarged prostate gland for a few seconds. This is done not just in one spot, but in several spots as needed. The heat from this steam destroys the extra cells, causing them to shrink over time.

After treatment

After the treatment is over, you will need to have a urinary catheter inserted for the first few days. This is because the treatment may initially cause some swelling in the area. The catheter is inserted because the swelling will make it difficult to urinate. After the swelling has gone down in a few days, the doctor will remove the catheter.

The entire treatment usually takes about 30 minutes . It takes as little as 10 seconds to direct the steam at one spot. This can be done up to 15 times in one treatment session.

Benefits and success of Rezūm treatment

This is considered a very safe and effective treatment for BPH. Also, the results are long-lasting. Let's see what other benefits it has.

• No longer needing medication for BPH: Many people are able to stop taking daily medications after this treatment.
• Quick results: You can see a clear improvement in symptoms within a few weeks.
• Preserving sexual function: Major surgeries can sometimes affect sexual function. However, with this treatment, the risk is very low.
• Being an outpatient treatment: There is no need to stay in the hospital. You can go home the same day as the treatment.
• No need for general anesthesia: You don't need to be completely unconscious. Just numbing the area is enough.
• Fast recovery: You can return to normal activities within a few days.
• Recurrence: Rarely, if symptoms recur after a period of time, this treatment can be repeated.

How successful is this?

The success rate of Rezūm treatment is very high. Studies have shown that less than 5% of people need a repeat surgery within 5 years of treatment. Also, only about 10% of people need to take prostate medication again during that time. Although this is a relatively new treatment (it was approved in 2015), the current data shows that the results are very good for at least 5 years.

Are there any side effects or risks?

As with any medical treatment, there are some minor risks and side effects, but most of these are temporary.

Don't be alarmed by these symptoms. Most of these don't happen to everyone. Also, your doctor will inform you about these in advance.

Recovery time and what you need to do

This is very important. Your symptoms will not immediately improve after treatment. In fact, you may feel like your symptoms have increased a little in the first few weeks. That's because of the swelling. But don't worry about it. That's normal.

Most people see a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks . However, it can take up to three months to see maximum results. It takes time for the body to heal from within.

Do these things to make your recovery easier

• Rest: After treatment, stay home and rest well for at least a day or two. Although you can do things like walk and drive, avoid strenuous activities like running, lifting weights, and cycling for a few weeks.
• Avoid sexual activity: Refraining from sex or masturbation for a few days will help the area heal faster.
• Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help flush out any blood in your urine (if any) quickly.
• Avoid drinks that irritate the bladder: Stay away from caffeinated tea, coffee, energy drinks, carbonated drinks (like soda), and citrus fruit drinks like oranges and grapefruit for a while.

When should you see your doctor again?

You should see your doctor again about two to three weeks after your treatment. He or she will check on your progress.

However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.

• If you are unable to urinate at all .
• If there is severe pain .
• If you have a fever over 101 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) .
• If you feel cold and shivering (Chills).
• If diarrhea (stomach upset) occurs.

Comparison with other treatments

`Rezūm` is not the only treatment for BPH. There are other similar treatments. Let's compare `Rezūm` with two of these main methods.

Simply put, `Aquablation` and `TURP` methods provide faster and stronger results, but they also carry higher risks because they must be performed in a surgical room. `Rezūm` is a good alternative in between, with less risk, and without having to stay in the hospital.

Rezūm, Rezūm procedure, BPH, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, prostate, men's health, urinary problems, prostate problems sinhala, BPH treatment sinhala