Prostate Enlargement

Minimally invasive treatment for an enlarged prostate in Johannesburg — from a short Rezūm procedure to definitive ThuLEP laser surgery.

Enlarged prostate: when to act

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate — is very common and becomes more so with age. The signs are hard to ignore: a weak or interrupted stream, straining, urgency, and getting up several times a night. BPH is benign, but left untreated it can worsen and affect the bladder and kidneys.

Medication helps many men. When it doesn’t — or when you would rather not take tablets for life — there are excellent minimally invasive options. I offer both ends of the spectrum, and will recommend the one that fits your prostate size, your symptoms and your priorities.

Rezūm Steam Therapy

Rezūm uses precisely delivered water vapour (steam) to shrink the excess prostate tissue that blocks the flow of urine.

A short procedure, usually without an overnight hospital stay
A fine instrument passed through the urethra delivers a few seconds of water vapour into the enlarged tissue, which the body then reabsorbs over the following weeks
Low risk of sexual side effects compared with older types of prostate surgery — an important consideration for many men
A catheter is usually needed for a few days afterwards; symptoms then improve progressively as the prostate shrinks over the following weeks

Best suited to small-to-moderate prostates, and to men who want to avoid larger surgery or lifelong medication.

Read more about Rezūm → who it suits, recovery, and ejaculation.

ThuLEP

ThuLEP (thulium laser enucleation of the prostate) is definitive keyhole surgery for BPH: a laser passed through the urethra, with no external incision, removes the obstructing inner prostate tissue completely.

Removes the obstruction completely, giving durable, long-term relief with a low re-treatment rate
Good control of bleeding — suitable for larger prostates and for many men on blood thinners
Typically a short hospital stay and a short time with a catheter
Results comparable to other laser enucleation techniques such as HoLEP, an established modern standard for definitive BPH surgery

Best suited to larger prostates, significant obstruction, or when other treatments have not worked. Most men have a “dry” orgasm afterwards (retrograde ejaculation) — we will discuss this and other effects openly before you decide.

Read more about ThuLEP → the procedure, hospital stay and recovery.

Book a consultation: call 011 794 3549 or email appointment@urology.joburg

This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for a consultation.