Modern BPH Treatments: Relief, Risks, and Long-Term Outcomes

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is highly prevalent among older men, affecting up to 70% of men aged 60–69 and more than 80% of those over 70. The growing number of minimally invasive treatments offers patients more choices, but selecting the best option remains challenging because long-term comparative data are limited. Treatment decisions depend on prostate size and anatomy, symptom severity, expected benefits, side effects, sexual function, catheter use, and the likelihood of retreatment.

Traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains a standard surgical treatment and provides durable symptom relief, but it can cause side effects such as retrograde ejaculation and incontinence. UroLift and Rezum provide moderate symptom improvement with low rates of sexual dysfunction. However, retreatment rates differ, with approximately 14% after UroLift compared with just over 4% after Rezum. iTind offers rapid improvement, although retreatment may reach 11% at six years.

Aquablation provides symptom and quality-of-life improvements comparable to TURP, while reducing the risk of recurrent symptoms requiring medication or surgery by 51% over five years. Prostate artery embolization may provide similar symptom relief to TURP but has higher retreatment rates. Newer stents and pulsed-field ablation are expanding treatment options, although their long-term durability remains uncertain. Ultimately, treatment should be individualized according to anatomy, goals, risks, and patient preferences.

Sandburg, B. (2026, June 26). Prostate care: Quick relief vs retreatment. Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/prostate-care-quick-relief-vs-retreatment-2026a1000lsc