Alternative Treatment for Enlarged Prostate with Steam Without Surgery Fast, Safe, No Hospital Stay Required
First, it is important to understand that “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” (BPH) is a condition where the prostate gland is abnormally enlarged. Westerners often compare the normal size of the prostate to the size of a walnut. The prostate is located below the bladder.
The prostate produces fluid that makes up about 30% of the semen. BPH is a condition where the prostate is abnormally enlarged, commonly found in men aged 45 and older, and especially prevalent in men over 80 years old, with up to 80% affected.
Because the prostate surrounds the initial part of the urethra, when it enlarges, it can compress the urethra, causing it to narrow and resulting in difficulty urinating.
Additionally, an enlarged prostate may cause the bladder muscle wall to thicken because it has to contract harder to push urine through the narrowed urethra. When the bladder wall thickens, it affects its ability to hold urine, causing frequent urination and sometimes sudden urges to urinate.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Benign prostatic hyperplasia can show various early symptoms. If you experience any of the following, you should see a doctor promptly for diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Inability to hold urine or needing to strain to urinate
- Severe pain when urinating
- Difficulty starting urination
- Sudden inability to urinate
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Weak or interrupted urine stream, dribbling near the end
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood in urine or semen
- Reaching orgasm without ejaculation (dry ejaculation)
- Reduced semen volume
- Urinary tract infections
Recommended Alternative Treatment for Enlarged Prostate with Steam
Rezum or Water Vapor Therapy is a treatment that uses steam at a temperature of 103 degrees Celsius delivered through a scope inserted via the urethra into the prostate. Steam is injected into the prostate about 4-6 times, with each injection lasting only 9 seconds.
The steam causes the cells blocking the urinary tract to die (apoptosis), shrinking the prostate and allowing the patient to urinate normally. This method does not require surgery or general anesthesia and takes only 10–15 minutes, after which the patient can go home to recover.
Who is Rezum or Water Vapor Therapy Suitable For?
- If you do not want medication or have side effects from medication
- If you want to avoid surgery
- If you want a treatment with the least risk and no impact on sexual function
After the procedure, the doctor will insert a Foley catheter. After returning home, the catheter is usually removed after about 7 days to help the patient avoid urinating on their own, reduce swelling, and speed up recovery.
After catheter removal, patients may initially experience difficulty urinating, burning sensation, or slight blood in the urine. Generally, symptoms improve within 2 weeks and return to normal within 4-6 weeks.
Highlights of Enlarged Prostate Treatment with Steam Rezum or Water Vapor Therapy
Safety
- Fewer side effects compared to surgery and long-term medication
- No impact on sexual function
Convenience
- No surgery required
- No general anesthesia needed
- Treatment completed within 1 day
- No implanted devices
- Return to normal life and activities within 1 week
Effectiveness
- Rapid reduction in prostate size, noticeable within 2 weeks
- No need for retreatment within 5 years
Possible Complications if Treatment is Delayed
- Bladder infection
- Blood in urine due to swollen prostate
- Kidney deterioration or failure
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Bladder stones
- Kidney damage due to urine backflow
- Inability to urinate
Therefore, steam treatment for enlarged prostate is a safe, fast, and effective alternative that does not require surgery or hospital stay. If you notice warning signs of an enlarged prostate, you should promptly consult a urologist and prostate specialist.
Phyathai 1 Hospital Tel. 02-201-4600 ext. 2285 – 2286
