Aquablation Therapy: Revolutionizing BPH Treatment
No more worries about the side effects of treatment.
For most men, the reality of aging means developing an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate — medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — affects about half of all men between ages 51 and 60. Up to 90% of men over age 80 have BPH.
When the prostate is enlarged, it can bother or block the bladder. This can cause some men to run to the bathroom several times a night or feel they always need to be close to a restroom, affecting their quality of life. If left untreated, BPH can cause health problems, including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence.
Research shows that a fear of permanent side effects is the number one reason men avoid treatment for BPH. Concerns about persisting incontinence, erectile dysfunction (ED), and ejaculatory dysfunction are primary reasons men may avoid BPH treatment.
Aquablation® therapy is one of the newest treatments for BPH. It delivers long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms without permanent side effects. Boulder Medical Center urologist Dr. Stephen Siegel performs the procedure at Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital, which is among the first facilities in the region to add this procedure to its array of proven treatment options for BPH.
Extremely low risk of irreversible side effects
Aquablation therapy is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery for BPH, such as the gold-standard Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP).
The most compelling reason to choose Aquablation is its extremely low risk of irreversible side effects. Research has shown that long-term side effects are virtually nonexistent compared to traditional BPH surgeries like TURP. Nearly 100% of men retain their ejaculatory, erectile, and urinary functions, making it a potential choice for patients who are concerned about lasting side effects. With Aquablation, you no longer need to choose between relief from BPH symptoms and preserving your sexual function.
Proven results
Clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy offers significant symptom relief and low rates of irreversible complications across prostates of all sizes and shapes:
- 0% impact on erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction or overall sexual satisfaction
- 90% of men with BPH preserve ejaculatory function with Aquablation therapy
- 99% of men with BPH did not have incontinence after the therapy
Aquablation — How it works
Unlike TURP, which uses a heat-producing electrical current that can harm surrounding nerves, Aquablation removes excess tissue with room-temperature water, preserving the nerves that control erectile and ejaculatory functions.
The process starts by creating detailed images from an ultrasound to create a personalized map with the exact size and shape of the prostate. Using this customized map, along with real-time ultrasound imaging, your surgeon programs the AquaBeam Robotic System to guide a heat-free water jet and precisely target prostate tissue for removal.
What you can expect
Most patients are discharged from the hospital the next day and go home without a catheter.
For a few days after the procedure, you may experience urinary urgency, blood in your urine, slight burning during urination, and some pelvic discomfort, which can be managed with mild pain medication.
Benefits of Aquablation
- Very low rate of sexual side effects: Provides clinically proven, long-lasting symptom relief with a low risk of irreversible complications (incontinence, ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction).
- Ideal for any size or shape prostate: This treatment works on any size prostate, sparing men with large glands from undergoing a more complex surgical procedure.
- No incisions required: Requires no incisions and has a lower risk of complications than open surgeries.
- Precision: Allows for precise targeting of the prostate tissue, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.
- Quick recovery time: Aquablation enables you to return to normal activities quickly, typically within a few days.
Next steps
Board-certified urologist Stephen Siegel, MD, now offers Aquablation, a minimally invasive procedure. Schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms to see if you are a candidate.
About Stephen Siegel, MD
Urology at Boulder Medical Center
Dr. Stephen Siegel is a board-certified urologist who addresses the full spectrum of adult care. Some of the services he provides:
- Minimally Invasive Kidney Stone Surgery
- Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
- Minimally Invasive and Outpatient Treatments for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
- No-Needle, No-Scalpel Vasectomy
- Urinary Incontinence Treatment