Can steam cure benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Rezūm is a minimally invasive treatment that can provide an effective and long-lasting solution to alleviate urinary symptoms and improve quality of life of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

This technology utilizes steam to target and shrink the excess prostate tissue responsible for causing urinary symptoms in BPH. The procedure involves the following key steps:

1. Local Anesthesia: Before the procedure, a local anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort.
2. Steam Delivery: A small device called a Rezūm generator is used to deliver steam to the obstructive prostate tissue. The generated steam penetrates the tissue, causing it to shrink over time.
3. Natural Tissue Absorption: Over the following weeks, the treated prostate tissue is gradually absorbed by the body’s natural healing process.

Benefits of Rezūm:
• Minimally Invasive: Does not require incisions or surgical removal of prostate tissue. It is performed on an outpatient basis, reducing the risk of complications and promoting a quicker recovery.
• Effective Symptom Relief: Rezūm has been shown to effectively relieve the bothersome symptoms of BPH, such as frequent urination, weak urine flow, urgency, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Preserves Sexual Function: Rezūm has a low risk of causing sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory problems, preserving sexual function for most patients.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions:
• Urinary Symptoms: Following the procedure temporary urinary symptoms such as increased frequency, urgency, and mild discomfort during urination could be present. These symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks.
• Retrograde Ejaculation: In some cases, Rezūm can cause semen to flow backward into the bladder during ejaculation. While this does not pose a health risk, it may impact fertility.
• Not enough data: Since its a newer technology, long-term side effects and effectiveness are still unclear.
• Other Potential Risks: Although rare, there is a small risk of complications such as urinary tract infections, bleeding, or temporary difficulty with urination.

Reference:
• https://www.rezum.com/home.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6180381/
• https://www.cambridgeurologypartnership.co.uk/urology-info-for-patients/prostate/rezum-steam-vapour-treatmetn-of-prostate/