Innovative steam therapy provides long-term benefits for BPH patients while highlighting need for improved pain management during procedure

New York, N.Y. — “I never imagined I’d be eagerly anticipating a procedure involving steam and my prostate.

Yet there I was, sitting in the waiting room of a Manhattan urology clinic, surprisingly optimistic about what lay ahead,” states patient John Laing.

“Although they warned me the procedure would hurt, I did not anticipate the incredible pain I was about to endure.”

“For years,” Laing continues, “I had silently battled Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)—an enlarged prostate condition that affects a significant portion of men over fifty. In my case, it brought on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and relentless nocturia, the medical term for waking to urinate more than twice each night.”

Disruptions and Daily Challenges

“BPH with obstruction didn’t just impact my nights—it reshaped my entire life,” Laing shared.

“Road trips required meticulous planning around bathroom stops. Theater outings meant aisle seats only. And sleeping through the night? A distant memory.”

“My symptoms turned everyday activities into logistical nightmares,” he explained.

“Even a walk in the park became stressful if I didn’t know where the restrooms were.”

In desperation, he tried medications, herbal supplements, and lifestyle changes. Nothing provided lasting relief.

When his urologist suggested Rezūm™ water vapor therapy, he hesitated—but was curious.

Understanding Steam Therapy

Steam therapy for BPH is a minimally invasive procedure using water vapor energy to ablate excess prostate tissue. The treatment takes only a few minutes and is often done under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Unlike surgeries that require general anesthesia or longer recovery times, steam therapy appeals to those seeking relief without major disruption.

According to the American Urological Association, this therapy can reduce prostate volume by approximately 30% and provide symptomatic relief lasting five years or more for most patients.

The Procedure Experience

“On the day of the procedure, things didn’t go as smoothly as expected,” Laing explained. The steam treatment inside his body caused significant pain. Then, a difficult catheter insertion caused discomfort and some bleeding.

“Lord, it was worse than I imagined,” he admitted. “I thought uncomfortable—but it
was like torture. I actually screamed. For a colonoscopy, they put you to sleep. For a
knee replacement, they give you pain meds. Here, awake and no pain meds… why?”

Dr. Sarah Reynolds, a urologist not involved in Laing’s treatment, notes that while most patients report discomfort during the procedure, Laing’s experience seems more severe than typical. “Pain management protocols vary between facilities. Some clinics are now exploring options like conscious sedation for particularly sensitive patients.”

Recovery Process

Despite the discomfort, Laing was relieved to learn that the catheter would be removed within three days.

“My catheter has stopped bleeding, and I can better handle the bag—thank God it comes out soon,” he shared.

“It only hurts when I move now, but I was able to sleep last night.”

The recovery period for steam therapy typically involves several days of catheterization followed by 2-4 weeks of gradually diminishing symptoms.

During this time, patients may experience increased urgency, frequency, and discomfort—all part of the healing process as the body eliminates treated tissue.

Yet, Laing was about to notice improvements. Three days passed and he began to feel different.

Remarkable Results

By the third day post-procedure, Laing was already noticing improvements. The burning subsided, and he began to urinate more freely. Best of all, he said he had slept through the night for the first time in years. The frequency of urination decreased dramatically, and urgency was no longer a constant burden.

“Within a few weeks, I anticipate my life will have taken a 180-degree turn,” he told the Stewardship Report. “It feels like I am going to have my life back. Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

More than 50% of men in their 60s and up to 90% of men over 70 live with BPH
symptoms. While not life-threatening, the condition drastically reduces quality
of life and often goes undertreated due to stigma or fear of invasive procedures.

The Bigger Picture

Steam therapy provides a non-surgical, relatively low-risk solution that restores dignity and comfort to daily living. Clinical studies demonstrate that most patients experience a 50% reduction in symptoms within three months, with benefits continuing to improve over the first year.

Balancing Benefits and Discomfort

Healthcare professionals at Mount Sinai Hospital, where Laing underwent the procedure, stress the importance of early diagnosis and exploring all treatment options—from lifestyle adjustments to minimally invasive therapies.

Laing’s experience highlights a critical conversation about pain management during urological procedures. While he doesn’t regret his decision given the promising results, he believes better pain control options should be standard practice.

“Men need to know this is an option,” Laing emphasized. “But they also deserve to be fully informed about the potential for pain and offered appropriate management strategies.”

For men struggling with BPH symptoms, especially those who have not found relief through medication, steam therapy offers a promising alternative—with the caveat that patients should discuss pain management expectations thoroughly before proceeding.

#ProstateHealth #SteamTherapy

TAGS: BPH treatment, prostate health, minimally invasive procedure, urological treatment,
men’s health, nocturia, Mount Sinai, urinary symptoms, Rezūm therapy, outpatient procedure

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steam therapy for enlarged prostate

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Patient John Laing shares his experience with steam therapy for BPH, highlighting both the significant pain during the procedure and the remarkable relief that followed, offering insights for men considering this treatment option.

Summary for Audio File

A 65-year-old man shares his journey battling BPH and nocturia, ultimately finding relief through steam therapy despite a painful procedure experience. Though the treatment itself caused significant discomfort and required catheterization, he began noticing improvements within days. His story highlights both the effectiveness of this minimally invasive option and the need for better pain management protocols, offering valuable perspective for the millions of men suffering from this common condition.