urine urgency

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy

What is Rezum Water Vapour Therapy?

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy, also interchangeably known as Rezum Steam Therapy, is a minimally invasive medical procedure employed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a non-cancerous prostate gland enlargement that commonly affects ageing men. Rezum alleviates the urinary symptoms associated with BPH, such as frequent urination, weak urine flow, and urinary retention.

Rezum treatment addresses enlarged prostate by shrinking the hyperplasia of prostate tissue, gradually relieving the urinary symptoms and improving overall urinary function. Rezum therapy has become a promising solution for men seeking effective relief from BPH-related urinary issues without the need for more invasive surgical interventions.

enlarged prostate
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is characterised by an enlarged prostate gland and can be treated with Rezum Water Vapour Therapy.

How does Rezum Water Vapour Therapy work?

Rezum inserts a sterile water vapour (steam) into the prostate gland through a cystoscope. The heat from the steam raises the temperature of the prostate cells, initiating an ablation process to “destroy” hyperplastic tissue. Over time, the treated prostate tissue undergoes a natural process of shrinkage and reabsorption by the body. As a result, the prostate becomes smaller, relieving the pressure on the urethra. 

As the excess prostate tissue shrinks, it reduces the blockage of the urinary pathway, leading to improved urine flow and relief from urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, weak stream, and urgency. Patients can observe improvement within two weeks of treatment administration. Rezum therapy will be administered under local anaesthesia and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. 

Benefits of Rezum Water Vapour Therapy

  • Minimally invasive
  • Effective symptom relief
  • Long-lasting results
  • Outpatient procedure
  • Minimal pain
  • Quick recovery
  • Reduced need for medications
  • Preserves sexual function

What conditions can Rezum Water Vapour Therapy treat?

Rezum therapy is employed as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As such, it is effective in treating symptoms such as: 

  • Frequent urination, also known as overactive bladder
  • Weak urine flow
  • Urinary urgency
  • Urinary retention due to BPH
urine urgency
Rezum Water Therapy can treat conditions such as urinary urgency.

What results can I expect from Rezum Water Vapour Therapy?

When undergoing Rezum Water Vapour Therapy to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), you can anticipate several positive outcomes, including:

  • Improved urinary function: a noticeable improvement in your ability to urinate more comfortably and with less disruption to your daily life.
  • Long-lasting relief: the sustained improvement in urinary function provides relief, subsequently improving one’s quality of life. 
  • Reduced medication dependency: Rezum Water Vapour Therapy may allow you to reduce or eliminate the need for BPH medications, offering a more holistic approach to symptom management.
  • Preserved sexual function: Rezum Water Vapour Therapy has been proven to improve sexual function, such as erectile and ejaculatory function

How many treatment sessions of Rezum Water Therapy are needed?

In most cases, Rezum Water Vapour Therapy involves a single treatment session. This one-time procedure is often sufficient to relieve BPH-related urinary symptoms significantly.

While a single session is the norm, the specific approach may vary based on your condition and the size of your prostate. Your urologist will evaluate your case and determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you. Additional sessions may be considered in some instances, but this is rare.

Frequently asked questions

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy is generally well-tolerated, and most individuals report minimal discomfort after the procedure. As you will be anaesthetised, the procedure is virtually painless. Any discomfort experienced after is typically mild and temporary. Your urologist will take measures to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.

Yes, most individuals can resume normal activities within a few days after undergoing Rezum Water Vapour Therapy. This quick recovery time is one of the advantages and benefits of this procedure compared to traditional surgical options for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the patient will be on a catheter for a few days.

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy offers long-lasting relief for BPH. While it significantly improves urinary symptoms, BPH is a progressive condition, and periodic follow-up may be necessary to ensure ongoing effectiveness.

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Dr. Fiona Wu 2

Dr Fiona Wu
Consultant Urologist

MBBS (S'pore), MRCS (Edin), MMED (Surg),
MMED (Clinical Investigation),
FRCS (Urol) (RCPSG), FAMS (Urology)

Dr Fiona Wu is an experienced Consultant Urologist and is the Medical Director of Aare Urocare.

Prior to her private practice, Dr Fiona Wu spent 15 years in public service. She was a Consultant in the Department of Urology at National University Hospital (NUH), Alexandra Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. She was also the Programme Director of Surgery-in-Training at NUH and a core faculty member of postgraduate junior doctors. 

Dr Wu’s clinical interests lie in Female Urology, Neuro-urology, Urinary Incontinence, Reconstructive Urology and Voiding Dysfunction. She believes in treating incontinence in a holistic way using minimally invasive methods. She worked closely with the gynaecology and colorectal departments to treat complex pelvic floor conditions and continues to do so in her own practice. 

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