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Treatments

Water Vapour Therapy

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A minimally invasive therapy for enlarged prostate that provides long-term relief from benign prostatic enlargement treatment.

Effective, minimally invasive treatment for enlarged prostate

Water vapour therapy is effective for people with moderate to severe symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. It can also be an option if you have tried medication without relief or if you are trying to move away from long-term medication. It is a minimally invasive treatment which usually allows you to return to your usual activities after cathether removal and provides durable, long-term results.

How does water vapour therapy work?

Water vapour therapy uses steam to shrink excess prostate tissue. The therapy works by injecting small amounts of steam to the enlarged prostate in multiple nine-second bursts reducing the overall size of the prostate. As the steam cools, it releases energy that destroys the target cells, reducing the size of the prostate over a few months as the body heals.

Benefits of water vapour therapy

Day surgery procedure

Water vapour therapy can be performed as an in-office surgery procedure. In most cases you can return home the same day.

Improve quality of life for at least five years

Clinical studies have shown that water vapour therapy provides durable symptom relief for patients with benign prostatic enlargement with approximately 85% of patients maintaining symptom improvement at five years.1,2

Maintain sexual function

Water vapour therapy has been shown to help preserve sexual function after treatment for at least five years.3

Risks and side effects of water vapour therapy

Risks and side effects are a normal part of any medical treatment. Potential risks associated with water vapour therapy include but are not limited to:

  • Inability to pass urine or to completely empty the bladder
  • Blood in the urine or semen 
  • Less volume of fluid on ejaculation 
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Painful or frequent urination 
  • Urgent need to urinate

The water vapour therapy procedure

Before

Before receiving water vapour therapy, your urologist will administer the appropriate type of anesthesia—such as a local anesthetic and may also provide sedation (oral or IV) or medication to manage pain or anxiety, depending on your preferences and individual case.

During

Your urologist will insert the water vapour therapy device into your urethra and inject water vapour into the prostate in several controlled doses of about 9 seconds each. The energy released by the vapour as it condenses into water is transferred to the surrounding prostate tissue, making it shrink over the next few months. Your urologist will remove the device after the treatment.

After

The water vapour therapy procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes. You will likely be ready to go home in an hour or two and you can usually return to normal activities in a few days. You may need to use a catheter for a few days after the procedure. Be patient with your recovery. You will likely see gradual improvement in your symptoms over the next three months.

Real stories of water vapour therapy

The story of Charles’ experience with water vapour therapy.

 

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Do you have further questions about water vapour therapy? Want to know if it is a potential solution for your enlarged prostate? Find an expert urologist today.

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Frequently asked questions about water vapour therapy

Water vapour therapy utilizes the natural energy of steam to target and reduce the enlarged prostate tissue. The steam is directly injected into the prostate tissue where it causes cell death and over time reduces the size of the prostate.

Your urologist will insert the water vapour therapy device into your urethra. It will deliver a small amount of steam to the affected areas of the prostate in multiple 9-second doses.

The steam from the water vapour therapy will quickly spread through the prostate. As it cools, the steam condenses and the energy is transferred to the cells, causing them to die. Over time, this will reduce the size of the prostate.

Water vapour therapy is an option for patients with symptoms related to an enlarged prostate who are interested in preserving sexual function or wanting to move away from long-term medications.

Yes. While long-term results of water vapour therapy have demonstrated durability, the treatment can be repeated if required.

Since water vapour therapy does not require incisions, there are no external wounds to heal and you can expect to get back to your usual activities within a week. In most cases, your urologist will fit you with a catheter while the post-procedure swelling subsides. This typically remains in place for 3 to 4 days.1

Studies have shown that there is little to no impact on sexual function after water vapour therapy. Your doctor will let you know when you can resume sexual activity.

Sources

  1. McVary KT, Gittelman MC, Goldberg KA, et al. Final 5-year outcomes of the multicenter randomized sham-controlled trial of Rezūm water vapor thermal therapy for treatment of moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2021 Sep;206(3):715-24.
  2. Tallman CT, Zantek PF, Hernandez N, et al. Effectiveness of convective water vapor energy therapy versus prostatic urethral lift for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and indirect comparison. World J Urol. 2021 Sep;39(9):3207-1
  3. McVary KT, El-Arabi A, Roehrborn C. Preservation of Sexual Function 5 Years After Water Vapor Thermal Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Sex Med. 2021 Oct 30;9(6):100454.

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