Rezum Water Vapour Therapy, London
Rezum is a minimally invasive treatment for an enlarged prostate. It uses controlled doses of water vapour, or steam, to treat the prostate tissue causing urinary symptoms. The procedure is carried out as a day case, without a permanent implant or major surgery.
For suitable men, Rezum can offer a treatment option that aims to preserve sexual and ejaculatory function.
What is Rezum?
Rezum is a water vapour treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH or an enlarged prostate. As the prostate grows, it can press on the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. This may cause a weaker urine flow, difficulty starting to pass urine, frequent toilet visits or waking at night.
During the procedure, small, measured doses of sterile water vapour are delivered into the enlarged areas of the prostate through a device passed along the urethra. There are no external cuts and no implant is left behind.
The vapour releases thermal energy into the targeted tissue. Over the following weeks, the body gradually reabsorbs this treated tissue, reducing the size of the prostate and easing pressure on the urethra.
Rezum is carried out as a short day-case procedure. A catheter is usually needed for a few days afterwards while temporary swelling settles. Symptom improvement often develops over the following weeks and can continue to build over several months.
Your consultant will assess whether Rezum is appropriate for the size and shape of your prostate, your symptoms and your treatment priorities.
How it works
Rezum uses short doses of water vapour to treat the prostate tissue causing blockage.
Targeted vapour delivery
Sterile water vapour is delivered directly into the enlarged prostate tissue in short treatment doses.
Natural tissue resorption
The body gradually reabsorbs the treated tissue over the following weeks, allowing the prostate to reduce in size.
Sexual function considered
Rezum is designed to treat obstructing tissue while avoiding surrounding structures involved in erections and ejaculation. However, all procedures carry potential risks, which your consultant will explain.
Who Rezum may suit
Rezum may be suitable for men who:
- Have troublesome urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate
- Have a prostate size and shape suitable for the procedure, including some men with a middle lobe
- Would like to reduce or avoid long-term medication for BPH
- Place importance on preserving sexual and ejaculatory function
- Prefer a day-case treatment without a permanent implant
- Have been assessed as suitable by a consultant urologist
What to expect
- Assessment
Your consultant will review your symptoms, prostate size, urinary flow and bladder emptying, as well as your general health and treatment priorities. This helps establish whether Rezum is an appropriate option. - The procedure
Rezum is a short day-case procedure, usually performed under local anaesthetic or light sedation. Water vapour is delivered into the areas of enlarged prostate tissue causing obstruction. - Recovery and results
A catheter is usually worn for a few days following treatment. Most men can return to normal activities within days, although urinary symptoms can temporarily worsen while the prostate settles. Improvement often begins over the following weeks, with benefits continuing to develop over around three months.
Why choose The Forbury Clinic for Rezum in London?
A minimally invasive treatment option
Rezum is carried out through the urethra, without external incisions or a permanent implant.
Durable results
Clinical studies have reported sustained improvements in urinary symptoms and urine flow over five years for selected men treated with Rezum.
Sexual function considered
Rezum is designed to preserve erectile and ejaculatory function. Your consultant will explain the potential effects and risks in relation to your circumstances.
Consultant-led care in London
Your consultant will assess whether Rezum is suitable and guide you through the procedure, recovery and follow-up at The Forbury Clinic London.
What the evidence shows
Rezum has been studied in a randomised controlled trial with five years of published follow-up. The study reported improvements in urinary symptom scores, urine flow and quality of life that were maintained over the follow-up period.
In the Rezum II trial, urinary symptom scores improved by around 48% and urine flow improved by around 44% at five years. The reported surgical retreatment rate was 4.4% over the same period.
As with any procedure, individual results vary. Temporary urinary burning, urgency, blood in the urine or semen and a short period with a catheter can occur during recovery. Your consultant will explain what may be realistic for you and discuss how Rezum compares with other appropriate treatments, such as UroLift, iTind, Aquablation, HoLEP or TURP.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rezum painful?
The procedure is short and is usually carried out under local anaesthetic or light sedation, so discomfort during treatment is managed carefully. Burning, urgency or discomfort when passing urine can occur temporarily afterwards while the area heals.
How is Rezum different from UroLift or iTind?
UroLift uses permanent implants to hold prostate tissue away from the urethra. iTind uses a temporary device to reshape the urinary channel. Rezum uses water vapour to treat and gradually reduce the enlarged tissue itself, without leaving an implant behind.
Will Rezum affect my sex life?
Rezum is designed to preserve sexual and ejaculatory function. However, individual experiences vary and no procedure is without risk. Your consultant will discuss the potential effects on erections and ejaculation before treatment.
How soon will I notice improvement?
Symptoms can temporarily worsen in the days after treatment because of swelling. Improvement often begins within several weeks as the treated tissue is reabsorbed, with the full effect continuing to develop over around three months.
Will I need a catheter?
A catheter is usually required for a few days after Rezum while swelling settles. Your consultant will explain how long it may be needed and arrange its removal.
Can I stop prostate medication afterwards?
Some men may be able to reduce or stop BPH medication once Rezum has taken effect. This should only be done following advice from your consultant, based on your individual response to treatment.
Ask whether Rezum is right for you
If urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate are affecting your daily life, Rezum may be an option to consider. Our consultant urologists can assess your prostate and explain the treatments that may be suitable.
- AppointmentBook a consultation
- Reception0118 920 7055
- Location
The Forbury Clinic London, 45 Queen Anne St, London, W1G 9J
