An enlarged prostate doesn't have to wake you up at 2 a.m. anymore.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is why most men over 50 stop sleeping through the night. Modern treatment is no longer a binary choice between a daily pill and major surgery. UroLift, Rezūm, and robotic simple prostatectomy each have a role — chosen by prostate size, anatomy, and what a man is willing to trade.
What BPH actually is
The prostate sits below the bladder and wraps around the urethra. As it enlarges with age, it squeezes the channel urine has to travel through. The result is the symptom set most men describe: weak stream, frequent daytime urination, urgency, incomplete emptying, and waking two or three times a night.
Office-based options: UroLift and Rezūm
UroLift places small permanent implants that hold the enlarged tissue out of the urinary channel. No cutting, no heating, sexual function preserved. Rezūm uses targeted water vapor to ablate excess prostate tissue without cutting. Both are office-based, both are FDA-approved, both have published evidence behind them.
These are not the right answer for every prostate. Selection is based on prostate size, configuration, the presence of a median lobe, and what the patient prioritizes.
When robotic simple prostatectomy is the right choice
For very large prostates outside the size range for UroLift, Rezūm, or TURP, robotic simple prostatectomy is the modern alternative to open simple prostatectomy. It removes obstructing tissue while preserving the prostate capsule, with a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than the open operation it replaced.
Common questions
Is UroLift covered by insurance?
UroLift is FDA-approved and covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans when criteria are met. Coverage is verified during scheduling.
How is Rezūm different from UroLift?
UroLift implants hold tissue aside without removing it. Rezūm uses water vapor to ablate excess tissue. They suit different anatomies. We discuss which fits your prostate after a focused exam and ultrasound.
Will it affect sexual function?
UroLift was specifically designed to preserve sexual function and clinical evidence supports that. Rezūm has favorable sexual-function outcomes compared to TURP. We discuss tradeoffs honestly.
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