Rezum Water Vapour Therapy
We perform Rezum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What is Rezum?
Rezum therapy is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical treatment for men with symptoms of an enlarged prostate, commonly known as Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPH).
How does Rezum work?
Rezum uses water vapour (steam) to remove enlarged prostate tissue that is compressing the urethra and disrupting the flow of urine from the bladder.
During the treatment, sterile water vapour is released at targeted locations throughout the prostate. When the steam contacts the prostate tissue, all the stored energy is released into the tissue.
Over 2 weeks to 3 months, your body absorbs the treated tissue, shrinking the prostate. With the extra tissue removed, the urethra opens, reducing BPH symptoms.
What are the benefits of Rezum?
Effective relief of symptoms.
Most men experience at least a 50% improvement in their urinary symptoms and quality of life scores.
Lasting symptom improvement.
Improvements in urinary symptoms, quality of life and urinary flow are sustained for at least 5 years after treatment. In clinical trials, only 4.4% of men required repeat surgical treatment after 5 years.
Preserves sexual function.
In clinical trials, zero patients developed erectile dysfunction while only 1-2% developed retrograde ejaculation.
Avoids general anaesthesia.
Rezum is performed without the need for a general anesthetic in hospital.
No more BPH medications.
Avoid the side effects and nuisance of daily medications. Only 11% of men need to resume medications within 5 years.
Quick return to normal activities.
Most men can get back to their normal activities after a week.
What are the risks of Rezum?
Like any treatment, side effects with Rezum can happen. In clinical trials, the most common side effects were temporary. They included burning with urination (17%), blood in the urine (12%), urinary frequency and urgency (6%), temporary inability to urinate (4%) and urinary tract infection (4%). All of these side effects were resolved within 3 weeks of treatment. Less common side effects include blood in the semen and decreased ejaculate volume.
Is Rezum right for me?
Rezum is an option for most men with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The Canadian Urological Association recommends Rezum as an alternative treatment option for men with BPH interested in preserving ejaculatory function, with prostates less than 80 ccs, including those with a median lobe. There are many effective surgical and non-surgical treatments for BPH with different side effect profiles. Your urologist can help guide you through your treatment options.
Rezum is NOT covered by OHIP.
Are you interested in Rezum?
Rezum treatment is not covered by OHIP.
1. McVary KT et al. Five year results of the prospective, randomized controlled trial of water vapor thermal therapy for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Late-Breaking Abstract. J Urol. 2020 Apr;203(4):e1021.
2. McVary KT et al. Minimally invasive prostate convective water vapor energy ablation: A multicenter, randomized, controlled study for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2016 May;195(5):1529-38.
3. Nickel JC et al.. Canadian Urological Association guideline on male lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (MLUTS/BPH): 2018 update. Can Urol Assoc J. 2018;12(10):303-312. doi:10.5489/cuaj.5616.