Enlargement of the prostate gland is a common problem that affects millions of men, and it becomes much more common as we age. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports as many as half of men over age 50 have prostate enlargement — by age 80, that number grows to 90%.
Prostate enlargement is so common, it has its own medical name: benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the size of a gland or organ, while benign refers to the fact that this enlargement isn’t due to prostate cancer.
A leading New York urologist, Alfred Shtainer, MD, FACS, helps patients at Adult and Pediatric Urology manage BPH with a simple, in-office treatment called Rezūm®. Here’s how this revolutionary treatment could help you decrease your BPH symptoms without undergoing surgery.
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland located near your bladder. Its function is to produce fluid that makes up part of your semen.
While BPH is benign, it can still cause symptoms that can affect your health in other ways. Because of the gland’s location, as the gland becomes larger, it can press on the bladder, causing an array of urinary health-related symptoms, like:
If urine stays trapped in your bladder for too long, it can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Researchers are still learning about the underlying causes of BPH, but they believe the condition develops as a result of age-related changes, most likely changes that affect the production of hormones like testosterone. Other BPH risk factors include obesity and a family history of BPH, along with a personal history of diabetes or heart disease.
Until recently, BPH treatment plans typically included medications and lifestyle changes with limited benefits. When these approaches failed, surgery was often recommended as the next step.
Today, Rezūm offers an alternative. This outpatient treatment uses short bursts of targeted steam directed at the prostate gland to help shrink the tissues and relieve BPH symptoms.
Before recommending Rezūm, Dr. Shtainer performs a complete examination to rule out prostate cancer and ensure you’re a good candidate for treatment.
Prior to your Rezūm treatment, Dr. Shtainer numbs your penis and prostate gland to keep you comfortable. Steam is administered via a special device inserted through the urethra. Once in place, the device emits 9-second bursts of steam to shrink prostate tissue over the next few weeks.
While a single treatment can be helpful, most patients typically achieve maximum benefits with 2-7 treatments. Best of all, treatment can be repeated in the future if symptoms return.
After your Rezūm session, you can expect some swelling and minor irritation, and you’ll use a catheter for a few days to ensure you can urinate without issues. You’ll also need to arrange to have someone drive you home afterward.
BPH is a benign condition, but it can still take a toll on your overall wellness, your comfort, and your quality of life. If you have BPH, Rezūm could be the solution you’ve been looking for. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Shtainer and the team at Adult and Pediatric Urology in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York, today.
