The procedure is done under local anesthesia, often with oral relaxation medication. Most men feel pressure and brief warmth during each steam injection rather than sharp pain. Discomfort with urination for a week or two afterward is common and manageable.

How long does Rezūm last?

Five-year clinical data show durable relief, with most men maintaining about half their symptom-score improvement and a low single-digit re-treatment rate. Because the obstructing tissue is destroyed rather than just relaxed, results don't depend on daily medication.

Will Rezūm affect my sex life?

For most men, no. Rezūm has one of the best ejaculatory-preservation profiles of any tissue-removing BPH treatment, and erectile function is typically unaffected.

Do I really need a catheter after Rezūm?

Usually yes, for about three to seven days, because the prostate swells while it heals. If avoiding a catheter entirely is a priority for you, ask us about Prostate Artery Embolization, which doesn't require one.

Is Rezūm covered by insurance?

Rezūm is covered by Medicare and most major commercial plans for appropriately selected BPH patients. We verify your specific coverage before scheduling.

BPH vs. Prostate Cancer: How to Tell the Difference

Both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are common conditions affecting men, especially as they age. While they both can cause similar symptoms, it’s crucial to understand the differences between these two conditions to receive the appropriate treatment.

BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

BPH is a non-cancerous condition characterized by the enlargement of the prostate gland. This enlargement can put pressure on the urethra, causing urinary symptoms.

Common BPH Symptoms:

Frequent urination: Feeling the need to urinate more often than usual.
Urgency: A sudden, strong urge to urinate that’s difficult to resist.
Weak urine flow: A slow or weak stream of urine.
Hesitancy: Difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine.
Nocturia: Getting up multiple times during the night to urinate.
Incomplete emptying: Feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bladder.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant condition where abnormal cells grow and multiply in the prostate gland. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms at all; symptoms tend to appear only when the cancer is large or has spread, and can include:

Common Prostate Cancer Symptoms:

Urinary symptoms: Similar to BPH, including frequent urination, urgency, weak urine flow, hesitancy, nocturia, and incomplete emptying. In most men, these symptoms are caused by coexisting BPH rather than by the cancer itself.
Blood in urine or semen: Uncommon in prostate cancer and more often caused by BPH, infection, or other conditions, but it should always be evaluated.
Pain: Pain in the bones, such as the back, hips, or pelvis, can occur if the cancer has spread; pelvic discomfort when sitting or during ejaculation is more often due to prostatitis.
Erectile dysfunction: Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of advanced prostate cancer.

How to Tell the Difference

While some symptoms overlap, there are key differences between BPH and prostate cancer:

Age: BPH is more common in men over the age of 50, while prostate cancer is more prevalent in men over the age of 65.
Symptoms: Symptoms alone cannot reliably tell the two conditions apart. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms, while advanced prostate cancer may cause bone pain, erectile dysfunction, and unexplained weight loss.
Prostate Ultrasound: Here at New York Medicine Doctors, we use this imaging test to create pictures of the prostate gland using sound waves. This helps us measure the size of the prostate and guide biopsies for tissue sampling; ultrasound alone cannot confirm or rule out cancer.
PSA Test: A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the level of PSA in the blood. Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of BPH, prostate inflammation, or prostate cancer, so further testing, such as a repeat PSA, MRI, and if needed a biopsy, is used to determine the cause. Only a biopsy can confirm prostate cancer.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for both BPH and prostate cancer.

Sources

Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: AUA/SUO Guideline (2026). American Urological Association / Society of Urologic Oncology, 2026.
Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: AUA Guideline (2026). American Urological Association, 2026.
Modern-day prostate cancer is not meaningfully associated with lower urinary tract symptoms: Analysis of a propensity score-matched cohort. Can Urol Assoc J, 2017.
Clinical features of prostate cancer before diagnosis: a population-based, case-control study. Br J Gen Pract, 2006.
MRI-Targeted or Standard Biopsy for Prostate-Cancer Diagnosis. N Engl J Med, 2018.
Prostate Cancer Screening (PDQ®)–Patient Version. National Cancer Institute.
Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

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BPH vs. Prostate Cancer: How to Tell the Difference