Why you should choose Rezum Therapy to treat your Enlarged Prostate

Gatekeepers of Men is BACK!  It’s been several months since my last post and I am certainly excited to bring #GatekeepersofMen back into action. I want to start out this post with a fun fact: 50% of men above 50 years old suffer from symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH). Do you understand those numbers?  In other words, if you are above 50 years old and you are reading this, either you or just best friend (assuming he is also your age) have some type of obstructive urinary symptom secondary to BPH.

Men tend to suffer with these symptoms without knowing that there are minimally invasive procedures that can help restore urination patterns. Therefore, today we will talk about the major advantages of REZUM Water Vapor Therapy.  After being designated as one of the few Centers of Excellence in the United States for Rezum Prostate Therapy, I felt the obligation to describe these advantages for everyone to know.

1. Opportunity to discontinue medications

We all know that men want to stay away from anything related to medicine.  We do not like going to the doctor and we certainly do not like taking medications.  Prostate medications include alpha blockers (e.g Tamsulosin or Flomax), 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g. Finasteride or Dutasteride), and PDE5 inhibitors (e.g. Cialis or Tadalafil).  All these medications have side effects, some of which can be detrimental to your health.   Rezum Therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that gives you the opportunity to have a strong steady stream WITHOUT having to take your prostate medications.  After you recover from your Rezum therapy, you have a very high likelihood that your doctor will take you off those medications.

2. No general anesthesia required. Rezum is an in-office procedure.      

Rezum is NOT a surgery.  It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be safely done in the office. 

Therefore, you do not have to wait long hours in the hospital or need to go to the operating room.   You do not have to undergo the risks of general anesthesia. And, most importantly, you will be able to go home right after the procedure.  There is no need to stay in the hospital.   The procedure can be done successfully under local anesthesia and light sedation with minimal discomfort.

3. Preserves Sexual Function (Erections and Ejaculation)

The goal of every procedure in medicine is to provide the best possible outcome while minimizing adverse effects.  Most surgeries that are available for enlarged prostate, like the Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, commonly referred to as the TURP or “Roto-Rooter”, carry potential adverse effects.  In most occasions, men who undergo the TURP find themselves exchanging their ability to ejaculate for a better urinary stream.  The TURP and other prostate procedures can also increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Now we have a solution that can help preserve your ejaculation and erections! Research studies show that Rezum is able to successfully treat obstructing prostate tissue while preserving sexual function.  In the initial clinical trial, there were no patients developing ED after 4 years and ejaculation seemed to improve over time.

4. Duration of the procedure is less than 5 minutes

Most prostate procedures done in the operating room take anywhere between 30 minutes to up to 2 to 3 hours.  I have vast experience utilizing the Rezum technology and the procedure has never surpassed 4 minutes (even for bigger prostates).  Rezum is a quick procedure that most of the time takes no more than 2 minutes for it to be completed.  It is both quick (therefore minimizing discomfort) and efficient.

Click here to Watch the Rezum Therapy

5. Rezum provides long lasting results

Research shows re-treatment rates similar to the TURP surgery after 5 years.  Now, remember that Rezum is a fairly new technology that’s only been available to patients for less than 6 years.  The available research studies reveal that after 4 years, only 4.4% of men required another procedure to help them urinate and only 5.2% of men had to restart their medications. These numbers are very similar to the TURP that has shown up to 14 % of patients requiring surgical re-treatment after 5 years.

In Conclusion…

We believe Rezum is a great solution for the treatment of urinary symptoms secondary to an enlarged prostate. At the time of the publication of this post, our office is one of the few Rezum Center of Excellence offices in the United States, and one out of three in the state of Texas.  If you suffer from obstructive urinary symptoms, are tired of taking medications, or are having complications from an enlarged prostate, call us!  We would be honored to help improve your quality of life.

Why Choose Dr. Clavell?

Dr. Clavell is considered an expert in BPH and Rezūm therapy. He has extensive training and experience using Rezūm and is the first Rezūm center of excellence in the state of Texas. Dr. Clavell’s protocol is well-known to minimize discomfort, optimize patient outcomes and is currently being adopted by many urologists in the community. Dr. Clavell will sit down and explain in detail what to expect before, during and after your procedure. Call our urology clinic in Houston, TX at (713) 652-5011 today to schedule an appointment.

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Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

The purpose of the Movember movement is to create awareness among MEN and women regarding prostate cancer. I want to emphasize how important it is for men to go to their urologist and get their prostates checked.  We all know women tend to be more responsible than their male counterparts when it comes to their medical care and health.   Why?   Us Men feel we are invincible, strong, machos, heroes, the main character in the movie, and silverback gorillas. Moreover, it isn’t until we start feeling very sick or have multiple problems, that we decide to go to the doctor.

Continue reading “Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer”

Movember

Time to create Awareness of Men’s Health Issues!

Movember (from the Australian-English diminutive word for mustache , “mo”, and “November”) is an annual movement involving growing of moustaches during the month of November to create awareness of men’s health related issues including Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Men’s Health and suicide prevention.

Therefore, I have decided to dedicate this month’s #GatekeepersofMen series to the Movember movement.  Let’s start off with Prostate Cancer.

How common is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men (skin cancer being the most common).  The American Cancer Society estimates that about 1 out of 9 men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime.   That number is staggering!  Think about it, if you are in a get-together event with 8 of your male friends, one of you will be diagnosed with prostate cancer!

Moreover, older men and African-American men have a higher risk of developing cancer in their prostate.  60% of cases are diagnosed in men older than 65 years old, and it is extremely rare for men under 40 to be diagnosed.  Regarding race: 1 of every 6 African-American men develop prostate cancer.

Who is at risk?

1. Age: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age.  This is why we encourage men older than 50 years old to ask their doctors about screening.
2. Family History: If someone in your family (brother, father or son) was diagnosed with prostate cancer you have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing the disease.
3. Race: Studies show that African American are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
4. Smoking: Just as with other cancers, smoking increases your risk of developing prostate cancer.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Unfortunately, not everyone experiences symptoms. Many of the “signs and symptoms”  coincide with BPH and these include:

• Urinary frequency, especially during the night
• Difficulty starting urination
• Difficulty holding the urge to urinate
• Weak stream
• Blood in the urine or semen

One symptom: frequent pain of the lower back, hips or upper thighs, could be an indication that the cancer is already spreading. Therefore, it is crucial that us men start the screening process when indicated.

What does Prostate Cancer Screening involve?

1. PSA test:  PSA stands for prostate specific antigen. PSA is a chemical that ONLY the prostate produces into the bloodstream.  When PSA is found elevated in a blood test, it indicates that there is increased activity of the prostate. In some occasions, that increased activity may indicate that there is uncontrolled cell growth which means, cancer is growing.
2. DRE:  DRE stands for digital rectal exam.  Yes. It is a necessary tool that urologists use to help detect the presence and aggressiveness of prostate cancer even though nobody likes this test.  Why?  Not all prostate cancers show an elevated PSA. Therefore, we don’t want to miss a cancer that may be growing even when the PSA is within normal limits.

When should I start screening?

The most common question that I receive from friends, family, and patients is: when do I need to start screening for prostate cancer? Basically, if you are a MALE above 50, talk to your doctor about screening.  Most importantly, if you are African American or have family history of men with cancer in their prostate, you should consider screening starting at 45 years old.

In Conclusion…

If you are a male above 50 years old, are African-American or have a family member with history of prostate cancer, you should visit a urologist.  Early detection is key!  Studies show that more than 98% of prostate cancers are curable if detected and treated early.   If it is detected late, the chance of survival beyond 5 years can be as low as 26%.

In our next post I will be talking about how prostate cancer can be treated. If you are looking for a urologist, come visit us.  We are eager to meet you and help you retake the reigns of your life.  You are in control!

Considering Surgery for your Enlarged Prostate?

Over the past decade, urologists and men with obstructing urinary symptoms secondary to BPH have been introduced to a number of surgical alternatives for managing this condition.

Continue reading “What to know when considering surgery for BPH”

September is Sexual Health Awareness Month

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For those of you who have been following my most recent posts, this month I have focused on topics related to Sexual Health.  Why?  September is Awareness Month for Sexual Health. And, as an expert in the field of Sexual Medicine and Men’s Health, I wish to help you optimize that very important aspect of your life.  Therefore, today I wish to talk about a very important therapy not many men know or talk about.  I will address the 10 most common questions regarding the penile implant or prosthesis.

Continue reading “Penile Implants, 10 Most Common Questions”

Hey Man, Are you to blame?

September is Sexual Health Awareness Month. 

I recently ran into an article published at the NY Times titled “Why a Woman’s Sex Life Declines After Menopause”.

What really caught my attention was the second part of the title “Hint: Sometimes It’s Her Partner”.    Now,  if you are a man above 45 years old, and you are reading this, get ready! This post will create a PARADIGM SHIFT in your relationship and attitude towards not only your partner and sexual health, but your OVERALL HEALTH.    Yes, believe it or not, research proves that sex is a reflection of your mental, cardiovascular and overall health.

Continue reading “Hey Man, Are you to blame?”

The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 out of 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.  Nevertheless, 5-year survival rates after treatment of localized prostate cancer approximate 98%.   Yes, you read it correctly.  When diagnosed early and the cancer is still localized within the prostate, there is almost 100% chance you will be cured. 

Continue reading “Penile Rehabilitation: Life After Prostate Cancer”

hCG and Low Testosterone Treatment in Houston, Texas

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go back to where I grew up:  Puerto Rico.  My younger brother got married in a magnificent place between the mountains and the beach.  While I was there, I had so many memories, one of which was: how good I felt when I used to live there.  I used to travel around the island during the day to explore the different beaches, mountain trails, rivers and rainforests, among other things.  At night, had the energy to be able to go partying with friends and dancing with my then girlfriend (now wife), and then wake up early in the morning the following day, ready for work without feeling exhausted. Why?  I worked out regularly, maintained myself healthy and my testosterone levels were at their highest peak.   

Continue reading “hCG and Testosterone levels”