TURP, HoLEP, Rezūm, UroLift, Aquablation, PAE, medication, and simple prostatectomy solve the same broad problem in very different ways. The right discussion starts with how obstructed you are, prostate size and shape, bladder function, prior treatment, sexual priorities, anesthesia and recovery preferences, and how durable a result you want.
Clicking a priority does not select a treatment. It shows which questions become especially important to ask your urologist and interventional radiologist.
Choose one priority at a time.
Medicines can relax the prostate/bladder neck, gradually shrink prostate tissue, improve erectile function while helping urinary symptoms, or target bladder symptoms depending on the pattern.
Small implants pull selected prostate tissue away from the urethra to widen the urinary channel without removing or ablating tissue.
Steam is delivered through the urethra into obstructing prostate tissue. The treated tissue shrinks over time, opening the channel gradually.
A resectoscope is passed through the urethra and an electrical loop removes obstructing prostate tissue. TURP remains an established benchmark for BPH surgery.
HoLEP stands for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate. A laser separates the enlarged inner prostate tissue from the surgical capsule and the tissue is removed through the urethra.
A robotically controlled, high-pressure waterjet removes obstructing prostate tissue using image guidance and a treatment plan created by the urologist.
A catheter is guided through an artery to the vessels supplying the prostate. Tiny particles reduce blood flow to enlarged tissue, and the prostate gradually shrinks.
The obstructing inner portion of a very enlarged prostate is surgically removed through an open, laparoscopic, or robotic approach while the outer prostate remains.
This is intentionally simplified. Your prostate volume, median lobe, bladder function, prior procedures, bleeding risk, medications, PSA/cancer evaluation, and local expertise can change the recommendation.
| Option | Route | Removes / ablates tissue? | Implant? | Symptom change | Sex / ejaculation discussion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UroLift | Through urethra | No tissue removal; mechanically retracts tissue | Yes | Usually relatively quick | Often chosen when preserving ejaculation matters |
| Rezūm | Through urethra | Thermally ablates tissue | No | Gradual | Designed to limit sexual side effects in eligible patients |
| TURP | Through urethra | Resects tissue | No | Often relatively quick after recovery | Retrograde/changed ejaculation is an important counseling point |
| HoLEP | Through urethra | Enucleates/removes tissue | No | Often relatively quick after recovery | Ejaculatory change is common and should be discussed |
| Aquablation | Through urethra | Waterjet tissue removal | No | Often relatively quick after recovery | Sexual-function goals should be discussed; preservation is not guaranteed |
| PAE | Through artery | No direct tissue resection; shrinks gland by reducing blood supply | No prostatic implant | Gradual | Often discussed when preservation of sexual function is important |
| Simple prostatectomy | Surgical | Removes a large amount of obstructing tissue | No | Mechanical opening after recovery | Sexual/ejaculatory effects should be discussed with the surgeon |