Steam Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Introduction

Steam is used in many ways in the healthcare sector. The use ranges from relieving a blocked nasal passage to humidifying rooms and sterilizing surgical instruments to prevent the spread of germs. It is also used to manage benign prostate hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate. This article deals with the various aspects and determines its effectiveness in managing the condition.

What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

A condition where the prostate gland becomes enlarged is termed benign prostate hyperplasia. It is a common urological condition seen in men and is not usually cancerous. It is considered a ‘disease of aging’ in men over fifty. As men age, their prostate gland undergoes two phases of growth. The initial phase occurs during puberty, and the gland doubles in size. The next growth phase starts at around 25 and continues throughout life. In most cases, benign prostate hyperplasia occurs during this stage.

The gland presses against the urethra as it enlarges. The walls of the bladder become thicker. Eventually, the bladder becomes weak, losing its ability to empty itself. As a result, some urine is left behind in the bladder always. This can give rise to many problems, especially those related to the lower urinary tract.

What Are the Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

An enlarged prostate can block or hinder the urinary bladder. The frequent urge to pass urine is the most common sign of benign prostate hyperplasia. This is usually very disturbing at night, as affected individuals may be required to wake up often, usually within an hour or two, to pass urine. The other common signs of the condition include:

• A feeling of a full bladder despite passing urine. This is mainly due to the incomplete removal of urine.

• Urinary Urgency: The patient might find it difficult to hold or delay the urge to pass urine. There can be accidental leaks if the visit to the washroom gets delayed.

• Weak flow of urine.

• Difficulty in starting a urine stream.

• Dribbling of urine at the end of urination.

• Unusual smell or color of urine.

• Pain while urination or during ejaculation.

• A longer duration to empty the bladder.

What Is Steam Therapy?

Steam therapy is also called water vapor thermal therapy. It is a minimally invasive treatment that uses steam to reduce the size of the prostate. It has been effective in reducing the symptoms. In addition, it has fewer side effects. Small and average-sized prostate enlargements can be effectively treated using steam therapy. The procedure has excellent long-term results and can be repeated if similar symptoms repeat later.

How Is Steam Therapy Done?

The procedure usually lasts an hour and does not require a hospital stay. It is done under local anesthesia. Most people may have some discomfort during the procedure. However, everyone who underwent the procedure reported no or less pain while the procedure was done and did not require any incision.

A small needle is inserted into the urethra and placed in the prostate gland. The needle creates a steam ball of about 0.79-inch diameter within 9 seconds. This shrinks the enlarged prostate. Any cell that is touched by the stem is destroyed. It does not affect other tissues or spread the heat to other organs. The size of the prostate enlargement determines the frequency of the procedure to be done. However, it can be completed in a single visit. A catheter may be temporarily inserted to remove urine from the bladder after the needle is removed. Generally, the catheter can be removed within three to five days after the procedure.

In most cases, patients can return home the same day after the procedure They can resume regular activities within a few days. Immediately after the procedure, the patient may find their symptoms worsening for the initial days. This is due to the inflammation in the prostate after the procedure. Gradually, the symptoms will improve as the swelling resolves. The symptoms start improving within two weeks following the procedure, and their symptoms improve more than six months after the procedure.

What Are the Benefits of Steam Therapy?

The procedure is a safe and effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, with beneficial long-term results. The benefits can include:

• A short procedure that does not require a hospital stay.

• Faster recovery and less bed rest are required.

• Lesser side effects; does not affect ejaculation or cause erectile dysfunction (a condition where a man is not able to maintain his erection during sexual intercourse).

• Do not require to take medication for benign prostate hyperplasia.

• Improvement in symptoms within a few weeks.

• Does not require general anesthesia.

• Can be repeated safely if the symptoms return.

• It is a cost-effective procedure with good long-term results.

The procedure generally has an excellent prognosis. Studies show that less than five percent of patients required additional procedures or the procedure to be repeated within five years after the procedure. It is a relatively new procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015.

What Are the Disadvantages of Steam Therapy?

Though relatively safe, some people may face some downsides as well. It can include:

• Pain while urinating or ejaculation.

• Increased urination, or urinary urgency, usually during the initial days after the procedure.

• Blood in urine or semen.

• Increased risk of urinary tract infection.

• Dry ejaculation (a condition where the penis does not release semen during sexual climax).

• Urethral strictures (narrowing of the urethra).

• Bladder stones.

How Is the Recovery Following the Procedure?

1. Rest is advised following the procedure, as the body requires time to heal. However, it is generally less than general surgical procedures.

2. Running, heavy lifting, bike riding, and other strenuous activities should be avoided for a few weeks following the procedure.

3. Sexual intercourse and masturbation should be avoided for a few weeks to allow recovery. Drinks that contain caffeine (tea, coffee, energy drinks), carbonated beverages (seltzer water, soda pop), and citrus fruit juices (orange juice, grapefruit juice) are advised to be avoided or limited as they can irritate the bladder.

Conclusion

Steam therapy uses steam to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate and reduce the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. It is a minimally invasive procedure and has good long-term results. It requires less recovery time and minimal side effects after the procedure. It can be used in treating conditions related to a range of prostate gland morphologies and is effective in maintaining sexual functions. In addition, it does not require a hospital stay.