Enlarged Prostate: What Causes It?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment with Water Vapor Therapy**
What Causes an Enlarged Prostate?
As men and women age, physical, mental, and hormonal changes naturally occur.
Women often experience menstrual or menopausal changes, while men commonly face issues related to enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: BPH).
Many men may worry whether an enlarged prostate could develop into prostate cancer or become life-threatening. In fact, BPH is not cancer and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, but if left untreated, it can significantly affect quality of life. Therefore, men who experience suspicious symptoms or have risk factors should seek medical consultation and treatment promptly.
Related Topics
-
What is prostate disease?
-
Who is suitable for water vapor therapy for enlarged prostate?
-
What symptoms indicate the need for treatment?
-
What is water vapor (steam) therapy for prostate enlargement?
-
Advantages of water vapor therapy
-
Recovery time and treatment outcomes
-
Precautions and limitations of water vapor therapy
What Is an Enlarged Prostate?
An enlarged prostate is a common condition in men aged 40 years and older. The primary cause is aging, as prostate growth varies from person to person.
Although benign prostatic hyperplasia is not life-threatening and does not cause cancer, it can significantly impact daily life. An enlarged prostate may compress the urethra, leading to urinary problems such as:
-
Difficulty urinating
-
Weak urine stream
-
Incomplete bladder emptying
-
Frequent urination, especially at night
-
Urinary urgency or incontinence in some cases
Who Is Suitable for Water Vapor Therapy for Enlarged Prostate?
-
Men aged 40 years and older
-
Prostate size between 30–80 grams
-
Patients who wish to preserve sexual function, especially normal ejaculation
-
Patients who do not respond well to medication
-
Patients who are not suitable for surgery, such as those with anesthesia allergies
Warning Signs That Indicate the Need for Treatment of an Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
-
Difficulty urinating, such as a weak urine stream, incomplete bladder emptying, or inability to hold urine
-
Abnormal urination patterns, including frequent or irregular urination
-
Blood in the urine or blood mixed with semen
What Is Water Vapor Therapy for Enlarged Prostate?
Water vapor therapy for enlarged prostate is a simple, minimally invasive treatment that requires only a short procedure time.
The physician inserts a specialized instrument and camera through the urethra to reach the prostate. Then, water vapor at a temperature of approximately 103°C is injected 4–6 times, depending on the size of the prostate.
Each injection lasts only 9 seconds, causing targeted prostate cells to be destroyed.
The body naturally absorbs and removes these dead cells, allowing the prostate to shrink. As a result, the urethra widens, and urination returns to normal.
Advantages of Water Vapor Therapy for Enlarged Prostate
-
Treatment time is only 15–20 minutes
-
No hospital admission required (observation for approximately 6 hours)
-
Minimal pain and discomfort
-
Patients can return to normal work and daily activities shortly after treatment
-
No impact on erectile function or ejaculation
-
A procedure that preserves sexual function, especially normal ejaculation
How Long Is the Recovery Period and What Are the Treatment Outcomes?
After undergoing water vapor therapy for an enlarged prostate, patients can return home on the same day without the need for hospital admission.
The treatment has a success rate of approximately 95%, with patients experiencing:
-
Improved and normal urination
-
Preservation of normal sexual function
-
Ability to engage in sexual activity as usual
Precautions After Water Vapor Therapy for Enlarged Prostate
-
A urinary catheter is required for approximately 1–2 weeks after the procedure
-
Treatment results begin to show improvement within 2 weeks to 2 months
-
During this recovery period, patients may need to continue taking prostate medication as prescribed by the physician to support symptom improvement
