What is Rezum therapy?
Rezum™ therapy is a minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that has good long-term results. It involves a special instrument that uses water vapor (steam) to shrink the enlarged areas of your prostate. The instrument goes through your urethra, so you won’t have incisions or need stitches. A healthcare provider will numb the area before the procedure to reduce discomfort.
Another name for Rezum is water vapor therapy.
Who needs Rezum therapy?
The Rezum procedure treats BPH. BPH is a condition that causes your prostate (the gland near your bladder, in front of your rectum) to grow, which may block your urethra and cause symptoms that affect your ability to pee or ejaculate. BPH commonly affects people over 50. But it may also begin when you’re younger.
Healthcare providers may not recommend Rezum if you have:
- Kidney function complications.
- A urethral implant.
- A very large prostate (over 80 grams).
What happens during the Rezum procedure?
Rezum therapy takes place in a provider’s office. Before Rezum therapy, a healthcare provider will instruct you to use the restroom. They’ll then use a local anesthetic to numb your urethra and prostate to make you more comfortable during the procedure.
A urologist will then insert a handheld device with a long, thin tube at the end into your urethra. A tiny needle releases from the end of the tube and delivers steam into the enlarged areas of your prostate. The steam destroys the prostate cells, causing the enlarged areas to shrink.
Rezum therapy usually takes about 30 minutes. Each individual treatment takes about 10 seconds. Up to 15 treatments can be given during one procedure. You’ll use a urinary catheter for several days until the swelling goes down.
What are the potential benefits of Rezum therapy?
Rezum therapy is a safe, effective treatment for BPH with good long-term results. Other potential Rezum procedure benefits include:
- No longer need to take BPH medications
- See improvement in their BPH symptoms within a few weeks.
- Preserves sexual function.
- Outpatient procedure (you can go home the same day as the procedure).
- No general anesthesia.
- Quick recovery period.
How successful is the Rezum procedure?
The Rezum procedure’s success rate is good. Studies show that less than 5% of people need additional procedures or surgeries within five years after the procedure. About 10% of people need to take prostate medications within those first five years.
Rezum therapy is a relatively new procedure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rezum therapy in 2015. Medical outcome studies indicate that Rezum therapy effectively treats BPH symptoms for at least five years.
What are risks of the Rezum procedure?
Though the Rezum procedure is relatively safe, there are some risks, including:
- Pain or discomfort while peeing or ejaculating.
- Peeing more than usual or having more urgent urination.
- Blood in your pee (hematuria) or semen (hematospermia).
- Urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Your penis doesn’t release semen when you reach sexual climax (dry ejaculation).
- Narrowing of your urethra (urethral strictures).
- Bladder stones.
During the first few weeks, your BPH symptoms may get worse before they get better. Many people notice an improvement in their symptoms after several weeks. However, it may take up to three months to see a difference.