What is Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPH)?

The prostate, which is part of the male reproductive system, is located just below the bladder. Enlargement of the prostate, which surrounds the urethra channel that allows urine to be excreted outside the body, is a common problem in men, especially in advanced ages. Benign prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH), which is the subject of this article, is a health problem that causes problems in urine flow by compressing the urinary tract as a result of enlargement of the prostate gland.

Although the cause of benign prostate enlargement is not known exactly, it is thought that some changes in hormones that occur with the aging process in men may trigger this condition. This type of prostate, which is not cancerous, is not life-threatening. However, it can significantly negatively affect a person’s quality of life. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Symptoms of Benign Prostate Enlargement

First of all, let’s start with the symptoms of prostate enlargement. Especially in men aged 50 and over, the pressure on the bladder as a result of the enlargement of the prostate gland compresses the urinary tract and makes urine flow difficult. As a result, several symptoms occur. The severity of these symptoms occurs with mild symptoms in the early stages of benign prostate enlargement. However, if neglected, these symptoms can become severe over time and reach serious dimensions.

Common symptoms of benign prostate enlargement can be listed as follows:

The need to urinate frequently, especially at night
Difficulty initiating urination
Weak urine or intermittent urine flow
Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urinating
Burning sensation during urination

Although the rate of progression and severity of symptoms may vary from person to person, in advanced stages, the severity of these symptoms starts to increase, significantly reducing the person’s standard of living. Therefore, it is best to seek medical intervention without delay.

Treatment of Prostate Enlargement with REZUM Water Vapor Therapy

Various methods are used in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. These methods include drug therapy, classical surgical methods, and minimally invasive methods as an alternative to surgical operations.

REZUM water vapor therapy is a minimally invasive, non-surgical method. In this method, sterile water vapor is given to the problematic areas of the prostate in a controlled manner to shrink the prostate tissue that compresses the urinary tract.

So how is the REZUM water vapor treatment procedure performed? As we mentioned earlier, the goal here is to shrink the growing prostate gland and thus reduce the pressure of the prostate on the bladder. In REZUM water vapor therapy, when the steam delivered in a controlled manner reaches the prostate tissue, it transfers energy to that part of the prostate. As the heat energy is transferred directly to the tissue, the cells in the prostate tissue begin to die after a while. The body absorbs these cells over time. In this way, the volume of the prostate shrinks with the loss of dead cells.

As the volume of the prostate shrinks, the pressure on the urinary canal is reduced, and the symptoms associated with prostate enlargement are significantly reduced and, therefore, improved. This method can be applied with local anesthesia or mild sedation, and hospitalization is usually not necessary.

Advantages of REZUM Treatment

When it comes to the advantages of REZUM water vapor therapy, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is that it is a less invasive method, and the person can quickly return to their daily routine after treatment. Therefore, the healing process is also very comfortable. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of REZUM treatment below:

It is applied as a bladeless method and does not require surgical intervention
It does not require general anesthesia and can be performed with local anesthesia or mild sedation.
The patient is usually discharged the same day.
Recovery time is usually limited to a few days
Side effects that can affect sexual life are very low in REZUM treatment
There is no harm in repeating the treatment

Treatment Process and Aftermath

Now that we have talked about how the treatment is performed, let’s try to answer your questions about the treatment and recovery process.

Before the treatment, your doctor will first evaluate the size of the prostate and make a treatment plan accordingly. The application process of REZUM treatment, which is a minimally invasive method, is approximately 15 minutes. Local anesthesia is usually sufficient for the procedure. You will most likely be discharged from the hospital on the same day.

For the first few days after the procedure, you may feel a slight discomfort. There may also be some effects such as frequent urge to urinate or blood in the urine, but these are expected effects in the postoperative period. Therefore, there is no need to panic. Another issue you should be prepared for is the urinary catheter. In some cases, the use of a urinary catheter is recommended. The side effects we mentioned usually start to decrease within 2-3 weeks. In the following 2-3 months, the maximum effect of the treatment is seen.

Are There Side Effects of REZUM Treatment?

As with any medical intervention, some side effects may occur in REZUM treatment. However, the side effects of REZUM treatment are usually mild and disappear spontaneously in a short time. Since the method of application of the treatment is minimally invasive, the risk of serious complications is also very low.

The most common side effects after REZUM treatment can be listed as follows:

Mild burning in urine in the first days
Mild bleeding in the urine
Frequent need to urinate
Sudden urge to urinate
Temporary urinary incontinence
Short-term need for a urinary catheter after the procedure

These side effects are usually expected to disappear spontaneously within a few days to a week or two. If you have serious or prolonged complaints beyond this period, you should contact your doctor. In general, REZUM is considered a safe and well-tolerated treatment.

Prepared by Aktif International Hospital Editorial Board .

Publication Date: 08 October 2025 Wednesday - Last Updated: 08 October 2025 Wednesday