Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy
Men with bothersome benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have several treatment options for an enlarged prostate. For appropriately selected patients, Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy offers a minimally invasive approach that uses water vapor to treat prostate tissue contributing to urinary obstruction.
At the Center for Advanced Urology, Rezūm treatment, begins with an evaluation of your urinary symptoms, prostate anatomy, medical history, and treatment goals. Stuart M. Diamond, MD, FACS, is a board-certified urologist with more than 30 years of experience and can determine whether Rezūm is an appropriate option or whether another BPH treatment better fits your condition.
Rezūm does not produce an immediate reduction in prostate size. The treatment creates a controlled thermal effect in targeted tissue, and the body gradually removes the treated tissue during the healing process. That means improvement develops over time rather than immediately after the procedure.
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What Is Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy?
Rezūm is a minimally invasive treatment for urinary symptoms and obstruction associated with BPH. A specialized delivery device is passed through the urethra to the prostate, where controlled doses of water vapor are delivered into targeted tissue. The thermal energy damages the treated cells, which are subsequently absorbed by the body, reducing prostate tissue associated with obstruction.
Because the treatment is delivered through the urethra, Rezūm does not require an external surgical incision. It is generally performed as an outpatient procedure.
The gradual nature of the treatment is important when planning for recovery. Swelling and irritation can temporarily affect urination before the treated tissue is absorbed and symptoms begin to improve.
How Does the Rezūm Procedure Work?
The physician first identifies the areas of the prostate contributing to obstruction. A specialized delivery device is then positioned through the urethra, and controlled water vapor treatments are delivered into the targeted tissue.
Each vapor application is brief. The number and location of treatments depend on the size and configuration of the prostate and the areas being treated. The current Rezūm system uses controlled nine-second doses of water vapor.
The resulting thermal injury causes targeted prostate cells to die. Over the following weeks and months, the body absorbs the treated tissue, reducing the volume of tissue affecting the urinary channel.
Rezūm is generally performed on an outpatient
When Does Rezūm Start Working?
Rezūm does not provide its full effect immediately.
Some patients begin noticing improvement within a few weeks, but significant improvement may take several weeks to several months. The prostate needs time to heal and for the treated tissue to be absorbed.
During the early recovery period, urinary frequency, urgency, discomfort, or other symptoms may temporarily persist or become more noticeable. Your physician can explain what changes are expected and when you should report a problem.
Is Rezūm Right for You?
Rezūm may be appropriate for men with bothersome urinary symptoms associated with BPH who are considering a minimally invasive treatment.
The current FDA indication includes men 50 years of age and older with prostate volumes from 30 cm³ through 150 cm³. The system is also indicated for prostate tissue involving the central zone and/or a median lobe.
Meeting the general indication does not automatically make Rezūm the appropriate choice. Candidate selection depends on the patient's prostate anatomy, symptom severity, urinary function, medical history, previous treatments, and goals.
Rezūm may be considered when:
Your urologist should also determine whether another BPH procedure or management strategy would better address the underlying condition.
BPH Evaluation Before Rezūm
Before recommending Rezūm, your physician needs to determine whether BPH is responsible for the urinary symptoms and whether procedural treatment is appropriate.
The evaluation may include:
The American Urological Association recommends assessing symptom burden and obtaining appropriate prostate and post-void residual information before BPH procedures, with additional testing based on the individual clinical situation.
At the Center for Advanced Urology, treatment decisions are based on the patient's overall evaluation rather than symptoms alone. Dr. Diamond's experience in BPH and voiding dysfunction supports a broader assessment before recommending a procedure.
Preparation begins during the consultation. Tell your medical team about your medications, previous urologic procedures, urinary retention, infections, allergies, and significant medical conditions.
Before treatment, the Center for Advanced Urology team will provide instructions specific to your procedure. Depending on your circumstances, those instructions may address:
- Prescription medications
- Blood-thinning medications
- Food and fluid intake
- Transportation after the procedure
- Activity restrictions
- Catheter care
- Other preparation or recovery requirements
Ask about catheter use before treatment so you know what to expect if temporary urinary drainage is needed after the procedure.
Rezūm is performed through the urethra rather than through an external incision.
After the appropriate anesthesia or numbing measures are provided, the physician advances the delivery device through the urethra to the prostate. Water vapor is then delivered into the targeted areas.
The number of treatments depends on the prostate's size and configuration. The exact procedural steps and total appointment time vary by patient.
The treatment itself is brief, but the overall visit also includes preparation, positioning, anesthesia or comfort measures, and post-procedure instructions.
Temporary catheterization is common after Rezūm because swelling during the healing period can make urination more difficult.
A catheter allows urine to drain while the prostate responds to treatment. The duration varies according to prostate size, urinary function, treatment details, and the patient's recovery.
Your physician will determine when the catheter can be removed and whether you are emptying your bladder adequately afterward.
Follow all catheter-care instructions and contact the medical team if the catheter is not draining properly, you develop significant discomfort, or you experience other concerning symptoms.
The first days and weeks after treatment are part of the healing process. Temporary urinary symptoms can occur as the treated prostate tissue responds.
Possible short-term effects include:
- Increased urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Burning or discomfort with urination
- Blood in the urine
- Blood in the semen
- Temporary worsening of urinary symptoms
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
Your physician will provide individualized instructions regarding hydration, medications, activity, catheter care, and sexual activity.
Many patients can resume regular activities within several days, but the appropriate timeline depends on recovery and your physician's recommendations.
Some discomfort and urinary changes are expected after Rezūm, but certain symptoms require prompt medical attention.
Contact your medical team if you:
- Cannot urinate
- Develop severe or increasing pain
- Develop fever or chills
- Have significant or persistent bleeding
- Have concerns about catheter function
- Develop other symptoms that seem unexpected or severe
Use the specific aftercare instructions provided by your physician rather than relying on general recovery timelines.
Rezūm has characteristics that may make it appropriate for selected patients:
- Minimally invasive treatment
- No external surgical incision
- Treatment delivered through the urethra
- Generally performed as an outpatient procedure
- Targets prostate tissue contributing to obstruction
- Gradual improvement as treated tissue is absorbed
Clinical studies have also reported improvement in BPH symptoms with preservation of sexual function for many patients.
At the same time, Rezūm is not appropriate for everyone and does not produce identical results in every patient. The recovery period can include temporary urinary symptoms, and improvement develops gradually.
The decision should be based on the patient's prostate anatomy, symptoms, urinary function, treatment history, and goals.
Like any medical procedure, Rezūm has potential risks.
Possible side effects include:
- Painful urination
- Frequent urination
- Urinary urgency
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Urinary tract infection
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Temporary worsening of urinary symptoms
- Catheter-related problems
Your urologist can explain the risks that are most relevant to your medical history and discuss alternative BPH treatments when appropriate.
Rezūm is intended to improve bothersome urinary symptoms caused by BPH, but individual results vary.
Some patients notice improvement within weeks, while others require several months to experience the full benefit. During the early healing period, symptoms can remain unchanged or temporarily worsen.
The expected outcome depends on factors such as prostate anatomy, the severity of obstruction, urinary function, and overall health.
Your urologist can explain the likely recovery pattern and what would be considered a meaningful response based on your individual condition.
Follow-Up After Rezūm
Follow-up is important because treatment response develops over time.
Your physician may review:
Additional testing, such as a post-void residual measurement or uroflowmetry, may be used when clinically appropriate.
The early recovery period does not necessarily reflect the final treatment result. The prostate continues to respond as the body processes the treated tissue.
Why Choose Center for Advanced Urology?
Choosing a BPH procedure requires more than deciding which technology to use. The underlying cause of the urinary symptoms, prostate anatomy, urinary function, medical history, and treatment goals all need to be considered.
Urologic Experience
Academic and Leadership Background
Individualized Treatment Planning
Rezūm Treatment in South Jersey & Philadelphia
Center for Advanced Urology provides urologic care through two South Jersey offices.
Salem
MOORESTOWN
Patients throughout South Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area can contact the practice to discuss BPH symptoms, treatment options, and whether Rezūm may be appropriate.
Our Clinics
The Center for Advanced Urology provides Rezūm™ consultations and BPH care at two clinic locations, each serving the communities listed below.
Moorestown
Salem
Rezūm FAQs
Rezūm is a minimally invasive BPH treatment that delivers controlled water vapor into targeted prostate tissue. The thermal energy damages the treated tissue, which the body subsequently absorbs.
The current FDA indication is for men age 50 and older with prostate volumes from 30 cm³ through 150 cm³. The system also includes treatment of prostate tissue involving the central zone and/or median lobe. Individual suitability still depends on the patient's condition and clinical evaluation.
Each water vapor treatment is delivered for approximately nine seconds. The total procedure time varies based on the number of treatments, prostate anatomy, and the patient's individual circumstances.
A temporary catheter is common after treatment because prostate swelling can temporarily interfere with urination. The length of catheter use varies from patient to patient.
Improvement develops gradually. Some patients notice changes within a few weeks, while the full benefit can take several months.
Yes. Temporary urinary frequency, urgency, burning, or other symptoms can occur during the healing period before longer-term improvement develops.
Rezūm is designed as a minimally invasive BPH treatment, and clinical studies have reported preservation of sexual function for many patients. Individual outcomes vary, so sexual function and other potential side effects should be discussed before treatment.
Not necessarily. Medication and procedural treatments have different benefits, risks, and limitations. The appropriate option depends on symptom severity, prostate anatomy, response to medication, medical history, and treatment preferences.
Rezūm is a minimally invasive treatment option and may be considered instead of more invasive procedures for appropriately selected patients. It is not suitable for every prostate or every clinical situation.
Contact your medical team promptly. Inability to urinate after treatment may require immediate evaluation and treatment.
Recovery varies. Many patients return to regular activities within several days, but urinary symptoms can continue during the healing period and may take weeks or months to improve.
The prostate responds gradually to treatment. Your physician will assess symptom changes and urinary function during follow-up rather than judging the final result from the first few days after the procedure.
Contact Us
Discuss Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy
BPH symptoms can affect sleep, daily activities, work, and quality of life. When medication is no longer providing adequate relief or you are considering a minimally invasive procedure, Rezūm may be one option to discuss with a urologist.
At the Center for Advanced Urology, we evaluate your symptoms, prostate anatomy, urinary function, medical history, and treatment goals before recommending Rezūm or another BPH treatment.
Stuart M. Diamond, MD, FACS, can discuss whether Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy is appropriate for your condition and what to expect from treatment and recovery.
Call Center for Advanced Urology at (856) 339-4466 to schedule a consultation.
