(BPT) – Like many healthy, active men in their 50s, Michael Brennan felt that age was just a number and didn’t spend much time thinking about the health issues that older men often experience. But in 2006, he started noticing problems with urination, including the near-constant feeling of needing to go to the bathroom. And when he did urinate, it was often painful and it felt like he couldn’t completely empty his bladder. After unsuccessfully trying to manage the problem for years, he spoke to a urologist who diagnosed him with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), more commonly known as an enlarged prostate.1
The prostate is a male reproductive organ and is a small gland located deep inside the groin. As men age, the prostate can grow from the size of a walnut to about the size of a lemon. BPH most commonly starts after age 40, but by age 60, half of all men will have an enlarged prostate and, by age 85, that number reaches 90%.2
Because the prostate is located just below the bladder, when it becomes larger it can place pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder, and obstruct the flow of urine.2 As a result, BPH can cause frustrating symptoms for men that include frequent urination, a weak or interrupted stream, the sudden urge to go, and lack of control over urination – all of which can significantly disrupt daily activities, as well as regular sleep cycles.3
‘As much as I wanted to believe that I wasn’t old enough to have an enlarged prostate, I did, and it really impacted my life,’ said Michael. ‘Over a 10-year span, I felt like I tried every medication to treat the condition, but nothing seemed to work and the symptoms only got worse. I felt alone in my suffering and it was like BPH had taken over my life.’
Michael was eventually referred to a new urologist who, after reviewing his medical records, recommended that he consider a minimally invasive procedure called Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy. Rezūm Therapy is an in-office treatment option for men 50 years or older looking to treat the root cause of BPH, not just the symptoms. It uses the energy stored in natural water vapor to reduce the size of the prostate and provide lasting symptom relief without invasive surgery or the potential side effects of prescription medications.
‘Medication doesn’t always provide adequate relief from BPH symptoms, and many men want to avoid surgery,’ said Ron Morton, Chief Medical Officer, Urology and Pelvic Health Division, Boston Scientific. ‘Rezūm Therapy is a short, in-office procedure that uses water vapor to shrink the prostate, facilitating the free flow of urine. There are no incisions nor is a general anesthetic required. The procedure has been proven safe and most men return to normal activities of daily life in a few days.’
Ultimately, Michael opted to undergo the procedure. Shortly after, he reported noticing a remarkable difference and, as time went by, his condition continued to improve. After a few short weeks, he was able to urinate without any pain or discomfort, and even his wife was happier knowing that he didn’t have to constantly go to the bathroom.
‘Having BPH was like carrying a heavy backpack everywhere you go, needing to know where the nearest bathroom was at all times,’ said Michael. ‘With Rezūm Therapy, I finally found the relief I was looking for, and this has allowed me to do the things I love, including taking my grandchildren to Disney World, without the fear of not being able to make it to a bathroom in time.’
To learn more about the symptoms of BPH and to speak with a doctor in your area about treatment options, including Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy, visit www.Rezum.com.
Most patients report relatively minor discomfort during the procedure. As a minimally invasive procedure, Rezūm has demonstrated fewer side effects compared to those typically seen with surgical therapies. While all cases are different, potential side effects associated with Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy may include but are not limited to painful or frequent urination, blood in the urine or semen, decrease in ejaculatory volume, urinary tract infection (UTI), inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder, and urgent need to urinate. These side effects are typically mild to moderate and usually resolve within a few weeks, but there is a possibility some of these effects may continue for longer periods of time. Please talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with Rezūm. A complete list of side effects associated with Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy is available here: https://www.Rezum.com/what-is-Rezum/risks.html.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
References
- Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. NIH. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/prostate-enlargement-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia#benign. Accessed December 17, 2021.
- The Growing Problem of an Enlarged Prostate Gland. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/the-growing-problem-of-an-enlarged-prostate-gland. Accessed December 17, 2021.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20370087. Accessed December 17, 2021.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2022 Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. URO-1203707-AA JAN 2022
