Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a localized enlargement of the prostate gland in older adult men. It affects approximately 50% of men over age 50, and up to 90% of men over 80. This excess growth of tissue compresses and obstructs the urethra, reducing the flow of urine from the bladder and sometimes blocking it entirely. As the symptoms increase, they can significantly impact a man’s quality of life.

If you have these symptoms, you are not alone. BPH is one of the leading reasons patients visit a urologist.

BPH may cause the following lower urinary tract symptoms:

• Need to urinate frequently both day and night
• Weak or slow stream
• Feeling that bladder is not emptying completely
• A stream that starts and stops
• Urgency to urinate
• Difficult or slow start to urination
• Occasional loss of control of urine flow

BPH Treatment Options

There is a range of treatment options available to treat BPH including behavioral modifications, medications and surgery.

UR Medicine Urology has the first certified physician in the region (link to Dr. Wu) to treat BPH by using Rezūm, a transurethral RF thermal therapy that can be performed in a clinic or out-patient setting. Using a hand-held device, Rezūm delivers radiofrequency generated thermal therapy, in the form of water vapor, directly to the extra prostate tissue that is causing symptoms such as frequency, urgency, irregular flow, weak stream, straining and getting up at night to urinate.

Rezūm provides the following benefits:

• Potential alternative to BPH medications

• Relieves symptoms safely and effectively

• Provides noticeable symptom improvement within two weeks

• Simple in-office/out-patient therapy

• Does not require general anesthesia

• Preserves sexual and urinary functions

• Allows patients to return to regular activities within a few days