Enlarged Prostate Treatment
Rezum Water Vapor Therapy
Rezum uses something remarkably simple to treat an enlarged prostate: steam. A few seconds of water vapor delivered directly into the prostate reduces the excess tissue causing your symptoms, and your body clears it away over the following weeks. It is performed in our office, requires no general anesthesia, and offers durable relief for men who want off daily medication. Texas Regional Urology offers Rezum at our offices in The Woodlands, Tomball, and Kingwood.
How Rezum Works
What Is Rezum?
Rezum is a water vapor thermal therapy. During the procedure, a small device is passed through the urethra and a needle delivers sterile water vapor into the obstructing prostate tissue in bursts lasting about nine seconds each.
The vapor releases stored thermal energy into the tissue, disrupting the cells it contacts. Over the following weeks and months, the body naturally absorbs and clears that tissue, and the prostate shrinks — relieving the pressure on the urethra.
The physics of the delivery matter: vapor spreads through the targeted tissue and stops at natural anatomic boundaries, which helps confine the treatment to the intended zone. Because the results come from the body reabsorbing tissue rather than from anything being cut out, improvement is gradual — most men notice meaningful change by around two weeks, with continued improvement over the following months.
The vapor releases stored thermal energy into the tissue, disrupting the cells it contacts. Over the following weeks and months, the body naturally absorbs and clears that tissue, and the prostate shrinks — relieving the pressure on the urethra.
The physics of the delivery matter: vapor spreads through the targeted tissue and stops at natural anatomic boundaries, which helps confine the treatment to the intended zone. Because the results come from the body reabsorbing tissue rather than from anything being cut out, improvement is gradual — most men notice meaningful change by around two weeks, with continued improvement over the following months.
Why Men Choose It
Benefits of Rezum
Durable, Long-Term Relief
Rezum produces lasting symptom improvement, with studies following patients for five years showing sustained results and a low retreatment rate.
Performed in the Office
The procedure is done in our office under local anesthesia, often with oral sedation or a nerve block. No hospital, no general anesthesia.
Works for Larger Prostates and Median Lobes
Unlike some minimally invasive options, Rezum can treat a median lobe and accommodates a broader range of prostate sizes.
Freedom from Daily Medication
Most men who have Rezum are able to stop taking BPH medications entirely.
Preserves Sexual Function for Most Men
Rezum has a substantially lower rate of ejaculatory and erectile side effects than TURP, though it is not entirely free of them.
Who Qualifies
Am I A Candidate?
Rezum is appropriate for many men with moderate to severe symptoms from an enlarged prostate, including those with a median lobe and those with prostates too large for some other minimally invasive options. Your urologist will evaluate your symptoms, measure how well you empty your bladder, and assess your prostate with cystoscopy or imaging.
It is a good fit for men who want durable relief without daily medication and who can accept a short recovery period with a temporary catheter. It may not be the best choice for men who need immediate results, for very large prostates better served by TURP, or for men currently trying to conceive, since fertility considerations should be discussed first. Men in urinary retention may still be candidates, but that is a case-by-case discussion.
It is a good fit for men who want durable relief without daily medication and who can accept a short recovery period with a temporary catheter. It may not be the best choice for men who need immediate results, for very large prostates better served by TURP, or for men currently trying to conceive, since fertility considerations should be discussed first. Men in urinary retention may still be candidates, but that is a case-by-case discussion.
Recovery Time
What to Expect
Before the Procedure
You'll have a full BPH evaluation including symptom scoring, urine testing, PSA, and assessment of your prostate anatomy. You may need to stop blood thinners, and you'll take an antibiotic beforehand.
The Day of the Procedure
The treatment itself takes only a few minutes, with the full office visit running under an hour. Local anesthesia and often oral sedation are used. Each vapor treatment lasts about nine seconds, and the number depends on your prostate size and shape.
The First Week
A urinary catheter is typically placed for several days to a week while swelling settles. Expect burning with urination, urgency, frequency, and some blood in the urine — this is the normal healing response and it is more pronounced than with UroLift.
Weeks Two Through Four
Irritative symptoms improve as healing progresses. Most men begin noticing better flow and less urgency around the two-week mark.
Months One Through Six
Improvement continues as the body reabsorbs the treated tissue. Peak benefit is typically reached around three months, with some men continuing to improve beyond that.
Risks & Side Effects
Side Effects
Temporary Catheter
Most men go home with a catheter for several days to a week. This is expected rather than a complication, and it is the main trade-off compared with UroLift.
Urinary Irritation
Burning, urgency, frequency, and blood in the urine are common for one to three weeks as the treated tissue heals.
Ejaculatory Changes
A minority of men experience changes in ejaculation, at a rate substantially lower than with TURP but not zero.
Other Risks
Urinary tract infection, temporary urinary retention after catheter removal, and rarely the need for repeat treatment. Your urologist will review these fully during your consultation.
Answers to your Rezum Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
No — it stays within the treatment zone.
The vapor disperses through the targeted tissue and stops at natural anatomic boundaries, confining treatment to the intended area. Your urologist positions the device precisely under direct visualization.
Typically several days to a week.
The catheter allows urine to drain while post-treatment swelling settles. It is removed at a follow-up office visit.
Rezum removes tissue; UroLift moves it.
UroLift holds the prostate open with implants and usually needs no catheter, with faster initial recovery. Rezum reduces the tissue itself, which takes longer to work but treats a wider range of anatomy including median lobes.
Studies show durability out to five years.
Long-term follow-up demonstrates sustained symptom relief with a low rate of needing retreatment. Individual results vary with prostate size and anatomy.
Less often than TURP, but not never.
Rezum has a considerably lower rate of ejaculatory dysfunction than traditional prostate surgery, and erectile function is generally preserved. A minority of men do notice ejaculatory changes.
Typically yes, including Medicare.
Rezum is widely covered when medical criteria are met, though plans differ. Our staff will verify your benefits before you schedule.
Ready to stop taking pills for your prostate?
Schedule a Consultation
We'll evaluate your symptoms and your anatomy, and talk honestly about whether Rezum, UroLift, or something else is the better fit for you.
