For men with Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPH), the biggest dilemma when considering prostate surgery is the potential side effects on sexual function, such as the risk of erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation (semen leaking into the bladder). These concerns discourage many men from seeking treatment. This is the primary reason why Rezum Steam Therapy is considered a game-changer in modern urology.
Why is Conventional Prostate Surgery Risky for Sexual Function?
To understand why Rezum is so superior, we need to look at how prostate surgery procedures like TURP, or prostate scraping, work. The prostate gland is surrounded by highly sensitive nerve tissue, including the nerves that control erection and the bladder neck muscles that regulate the direction of semen release ( ejaculation ).
In surgical operations or electrical/laser scraping of prostate tissue:
- High heat or physical scraping risks injuring the erectile nerves around the prostate.
- The risk of retrograde ejaculation (reverse ejaculation) is very high ( up to 60–80% of cases ). In this condition, men still experience the sensation of orgasm, but semen does not exit the penis but instead enters the bladder due to a damaged bladder valve.
How Does Rezum Therapy Protect Male Sexual Function?
Rezum Therapy breaks the stigma that prostate surgery always compromises male virility. This procedure is specifically designed to minimize the impact on surrounding vital organ tissue.
1. Localized and Measurable Heat Energy
Rezum doesn't cut or aggressively abrade tissue. This therapy injects low-pressure, sterile steam into the obstructed prostate tissue for 9 seconds . The heat from the steam spreads only within the enlarged prostate cell membrane and stops immediately upon contact with the tissue barrier, thus avoiding damage to the surrounding erectile nerves .
2. Maintaining the Bladder Neck (Preventing Ejaculatory Dysfunction)
Because the steam works so precisely on the prostate transition zone, the bladder neck structure remains intact. Based on numerous international clinical trials, Rezum Therapy has been shown to maintain normal ejaculatory function and does not cause erectile dysfunction in the vast majority of patients.
Solutions to Free Yourself from Daily Medication Dependence
Many BPH sufferers choose to take long-term medications to avoid surgery. However, daily use of prostate medications (such as alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors ) often causes unpleasant side effects, such as:
- Decreased sexual desire (libido)
- Drop in blood pressure or dizziness when standing ( orthostatic hypotension )
- The body feels tired and weak quickly
Rezum therapy offers a permanent solution. With one short 15–30-minute procedure, most patients can gradually stop taking daily prostate medications under a doctor's supervision, restoring their quality of life without relying on medication.
Clinically Proven and Long-Lasting Results
Large-scale clinical studies have shown that significant improvement in urinary flow and reduction in BPH symptoms following Rezum therapy can last for up to five years or longer . Patients not only experience a smoother urinary flow but also regain confidence and the quality of their intimate relationships with their partners.
Protect Your Prostate Health Without Sacrificing Your Quality of Life
Maintaining urinary tract health doesn't have to compromise your virility and intimate well-being. Rezum steam therapy offers a balanced solution: effectively shrinking the prostate while safely promoting sexual function.
Schedule a consultation with a Urologist immediately to get a thorough medical evaluation and find out if Rezum Therapy is the best solution for your condition.
This article was written by Dr. Christopher Kusumajaya, Sp.U, FICS (Urology Surgeon Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).