Rezum Treatment in Newcastle
Rezum is a minimally invasive treatment for urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement. It uses water vapour energy to treat enlarged prostate tissue that may be pressing on the urethra and affecting urine flow.
Tyneside Urology Partners provides Rezum treatment in Newcastle for selected patients with symptoms of benign enlarged prostate. Suitability depends on your symptoms, prostate assessment, test results, general health and a specialist consultation.
What is Rezum treatment?
Rezum is a treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement, also known as BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is sometimes described as water vapour therapy or steam treatment for the prostate.
The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can narrow the urethra and make it harder for urine to pass.
Rezum uses controlled water vapour energy to target areas of enlarged prostate tissue. The treated tissue gradually reduces over time, which can help create more space for urine to flow.
It is designed as a less invasive option than some traditional prostate operations. However, it is not suitable for everyone. Your clinician will assess whether Rezum is appropriate for you and discuss the potential benefits, risks and alternatives before treatment is agreed.
Why Rezum treatment may be recommended
Rezum may be recommended for men with urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement when symptoms are affecting daily life or have not improved enough with conservative measures or medication.
Enlarged prostate symptoms can be frustrating and disruptive. Some men notice a weak urine stream, frequent trips to the toilet, waking at night to pass urine or a feeling that the bladder has not emptied properly.
Treatment decisions depend on several factors, including symptom severity, prostate size and shape, bladder function, urine flow, previous treatments and personal preferences.
Rezum may be considered where a minimally invasive approach is appropriate. It may also be discussed with men who wish to explore options other than long-term medication or more invasive prostate surgery.
Who Rezum treatment is for
Rezum treatment may be suitable for selected men with urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement. Specialist assessment may be helpful if you:
- Have a weak or slow urine stream
- Need to pass urine frequently
- Wake at night to pass urine
- Have urgency or difficulty holding on
- Have hesitancy when starting to pass urine
- Have stop-start urine flow
- Feel your bladder does not empty fully
- Have symptoms despite medication
- Cannot tolerate prostate medication side effects
- Want to discuss minimally invasive treatment options
- Are comparing Rezum with UroLift, TURP or HoLEP
- Have been told your symptoms may be due to an enlarged prostate
Rezum is not suitable for every prostate size, prostate shape or urinary symptom pattern. Symptoms can also be caused by other bladder or urological conditions, so assessment is important before deciding on treatment.
Symptoms Rezum treatment can help assess
Rezum is used for urinary symptoms linked to benign prostate enlargement. These symptoms can overlap with bladder problems, infection or other urological conditions, so a diagnosis should not be assumed without assessment.
A weak stream can happen when enlarged prostate tissue narrows the urethra. Rezum may be considered if tests suggest the prostate is contributing to the obstruction.
Some men need to pass urine more often during the day. This can be linked to bladder irritation, incomplete emptying or prostate-related obstruction.
Getting up at night to pass urine, known as nocturia, can be associated with prostate enlargement. It can also have other causes, so your clinician will consider your wider health and urinary pattern.
Difficulty starting urination or a flow that stops and starts can occur when the bladder has to work harder to push urine through a narrowed outlet.
Some men feel they still need to pass urine shortly after going. Assessment may include tests to check how well the bladder empties.
What to expect
Rezum treatment is carried out as part of a specialist prostate care pathway. Your clinician will explain what the procedure involves, how to prepare and what recovery may be like.
You will begin with a consultation to discuss your urinary symptoms, medical history and treatment goals. Your clinician may ask how often you pass urine, whether you wake at night, how strong your urine flow is and how much symptoms affect your daily life.
Assessment may include a symptom questionnaire, urine test, prostate examination, PSA blood test, urine flow test, bladder scan or other investigations where appropriate. Some patients may need imaging or a camera test before treatment planning.
Your clinician will also review any medication you take, including blood-thinning medication, and discuss whether Rezum is suitable for your prostate and symptoms.
If Rezum is considered suitable, your clinician will explain the expected pathway, anaesthetic options, catheter plan, recovery expectations and follow-up. You will have the opportunity to ask questions before giving consent.
The aim is to make sure you understand the potential benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives before deciding whether to proceed.
Rezum is performed through the urethra, so no external incision is usually required. A small instrument is passed into the urethra to deliver controlled water vapour energy into targeted areas of prostate tissue.
The water vapour releases thermal energy into the treated tissue. Over time, the body breaks down and absorbs this tissue, which may help reduce obstruction and improve urine flow.
The exact treatment plan depends on your prostate anatomy and the number of areas that need to be treated. Your clinician will explain this in more detail before the procedure.
It is common to need a catheter for a period after Rezum treatment while swelling settles and urine drainage is supported. Your clinician will explain how long this is likely to be needed based on your individual situation and local pathway.
You may notice temporary urinary symptoms after treatment, such as burning, urgency, frequency, blood in the urine or discomfort. These symptoms usually settle gradually, but recovery varies from person to person.
Benefits of Rezum treatment
Rezum can offer a minimally invasive treatment option for selected men with urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement.
Minimally invasive approach
Rezum is performed through the urethra and does not usually involve external cuts. It may be considered for men who want to discuss less invasive options than some forms of prostate surgery.
Targets enlarged prostate tissue
The treatment is designed to target prostate tissue contributing to urinary obstruction. As the treated tissue reduces over time, urinary symptoms may improve.
May reduce reliance on medication
For some men, successful treatment may reduce the need for ongoing prostate medication. This depends on symptoms, response to treatment and clinical review.
May be part of personalised BPH care
Rezum is one of several treatments for benign prostate enlargement. Your clinician can compare it with alternatives such as medication, UroLift, TURP, HoLEP and other approaches, depending on your priorities and test results.
Risks and side effects
Rezum is generally considered a less invasive treatment than some prostate operations, but it still carries risks and possible side effects. Your clinician will explain your individual risk before treatment.
Possible risks and side effects may include:
- Burning or stinging when passing urine
- Urinary frequency or urgency
- Blood in the urine
- Blood in the semen
- Pelvic or prostate discomfort
- Urinary tract infection
- Temporary difficulty passing urine
- Need for a catheter after treatment
- Temporary worsening of urinary symptoms
- Failure to improve symptoms enough
- Need for further treatment in the future
- Ejaculatory or sexual function changes, although this varies between patients
You should seek urgent medical advice if you are unable to pass urine, have a high temperature, feel very unwell, develop worsening pain or have heavy bleeding.
Your clinician will discuss risks, expected recovery and when to ask for help before you go ahead.
When to seek urgent medical advice
Some urinary symptoms need urgent assessment, especially if you cannot pass urine or if there may be infection after a procedure.
Seek urgent medical advice through NHS 111, urgent care or emergency services if you have:
- Inability to pass urine
- A high temperature, chills or feeling very unwell
- Heavy bleeding or large clots in the urine
- Worsening lower abdominal pain
- Severe burning with fever or back pain
- Confusion, drowsiness or sudden worsening in general health
- Symptoms that are rapidly getting worse after treatment
Do not wait for a private appointment if symptoms are severe, sudden or you feel acutely unwell.
Private Rezum treatment near Newcastle
Tyneside Urology Partners provides private Rezum treatment near Newcastle from its clinic in Team Valley, Tyne & Wear. The clinic serves patients from Newcastle, Gateshead, Tyneside and across the North East.
A consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss enlarged prostate symptoms, previous medication, test results and treatment preferences with a specialist. Your clinician can explain whether Rezum may be suitable and how it compares with other benign prostate enlargement treatments.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rezum used for prostate cancer?
No. Rezum is used to treat urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement. It is not a treatment for prostate cancer. If there are concerns about PSA levels, prostate examination findings or cancer risk, your clinician may recommend further assessment before discussing benign prostate treatment.
- How does Rezum work?
Rezum uses water vapour energy to treat enlarged prostate tissue. The treated tissue gradually reduces over time, which may help relieve pressure on the urethra and improve urine flow.
- Will I need a catheter after Rezum?
Many patients need a catheter for a period after Rezum treatment while swelling settles. The length of time varies, and your clinician will explain the expected catheter plan before treatment.
- How quickly does Rezum improve symptoms?
Improvement is usually gradual rather than immediate. This is because the body needs time to absorb the treated prostate tissue. Recovery and response vary, so your clinician will explain what is realistic for your situation.
- Is Rezum suitable for every enlarged prostate?
No. Suitability depends on factors such as prostate size, prostate shape, symptoms, bladder function, medical history and treatment goals. Assessment is needed before deciding whether Rezum is appropriate.
- What are the alternatives to Rezum?
Alternatives may include lifestyle changes, monitoring, medication, UroLift, iTind, prostate artery embolisation, TURP, HoLEP or other prostate treatments. The most suitable option depends on your symptoms, test results and preferences.
Get help with enlarged prostate symptoms in Newcastle
If you have urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate or would like to compare Rezum with other BPH treatments, specialist assessment can help you understand your options.
