Dr. Robyn Roberts of Urology Austin joined Studio 512 to talk about BPH, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which affects aging men.

“An enlarged prostate – and the side effects that accompany it – is a topic that many people are uncomfortable talking about. Men are commonly reluctant to go to the doctor, so it’s challenging to identify some of these issues.”

Can you tell us a little bit about BPH and the symptoms to look for?

“As many men get older, their prostate gland enlarges, which may squeeze the urethra and obstruct the flow of urine. Other risk factors for BPH include family history, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

“A wide variety of treatment options are available for BPH, including watchful waiting, behavioral modification, medication, minimally invasive therapies, and surgery. Medication is the most common first-line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms of enlarged prostate. Minimally invasive or surgical treatment might be recommended if symptoms are moderate to severe, medication doesn’t relieve the symptoms, or the patient has other health issues.”

What is Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy?

“We are excited to offer Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy as one of our in-office treatments for men looking to treat BPH, not just the symptoms. Rezūm uses natural water vapor to reduce the size of the prostate and provide lasting symptom relief from BPH without invasive surgery or the potential side effects of prescription drugs.

“Clinical studies support that Rezūm Therapy relieves BPH symptoms safely and effectively, eliminating the need for BPH medications while also preserving sexual function. Most men see symptom improvement within a few weeks and return to regular activities within a few days after treatment.

“For years, the primary options for treating BPH were through medications or invasive surgery. Rezūm Therapy is a natural, in-office therapy option for men who do not want to take medication or are dissatisfied with medication symptom relief and want to avoid invasive surgery or implants to treat their BPH.

“Market research indicates that preserving sexual function is a priority for men when it comes to BPH treatments. Clinical studies show Rezūm Therapy treats the cause of BPH symptoms while preserving sexual function.”

Are improvements expected to last, and how long do they last?

“Clinical studies show that most men experience symptom relief in as little as two weeks after treatment with Rezūm Therapy, and maximum benefit may occur within three months. As with any procedure, patient responses can vary.

“Current clinical studies demonstrate that, following treatment with Rezūm Therapy, symptom improvement is sustained through five years, and studies are ongoing to determine longer-term patient outcomes.”

Urology Austin has more than 45 providers at 18 locations in our area. Find a provider near you at UrologyAustin.com, and learn more about Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy at Rezum.com.

This segment is paid for by Boston Scientific and is intended as an advertisement. Opinions expressed by the guest(s) on this program are solely those of the guest(s) and are not endorsed by this television station.