Prostiva® RF Therapy is a safe, effective, non-surgical in-office therapy which provides long-term relief from BPH symptoms and urinary obstruction without the side effects and high cost of chronic BPH medication or the risks and high costs associated with invasive surgery. This treatment option delivers precisely targeted low-level radio frequency (RF) energy that produces heat to reduce the excess prostate tissue. After the treatment, the prostate tissue will shrink, allowing the patient to urinate more normally. The treatment should result in a significant improvement from bothersome symptoms such as the frequent need to urinate during the day and night, a sense of urgency to urinate, and low urine flow.
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Prostiva® RF Therapy is performed in your urologist’s office and usually can be completed in less than 30 minutes. You will be on an exam table in a comfortable position. You will be given medication to help you relax and local anesthesia to help you remain comfortable throughout the treatment. Your doctor will pass a small tube through the urethra to the prostate. Two small electrodes at the end of the tube deliver RF energy directly into the prostate to reduce the excess prostate tissue that is “squeezing” the urethra. Your doctor will design a customized treatment plan for your prostate depending on its size and condition. Once the treatment is completed, you will be able to go home. You will typically wear a temporary catheter for a few days to allow the prostate to begin its healing process. You should arrange in advance to have someone drive you home after the treatment. Prostiva RF Therapy is also known as Transurethral Needle Ablation or TUNA.
Medicare coverage for all fifty states as well as many commercial insurance plans provides coverage for in-office BPH procedures. Ask your doctor’s office to assist you by providing the information your insurance plan may require.
You may not notice an improvement in your BPH symptoms immediately after treatment. However, your body is actively working to heal itself. In the 8 to 10 weeks after treatment, your body will gradually reabsorb the tissue treated with Prostiva® RF Therapy, the pressure on your urethra will decrease, and your BPH symptoms will be reduced.1
As with any medical treatment there are risks associated with Prostiva RF, so talk with your doctor to see if Prostiva RF is right for you.
1Hill, B., et al Transurethral Needle Ablation vs TURP for the Treatment of Symptomatic BPH: 5 Year Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Clinical Trial, Journal of Urology Vol 171, 2336-2340, June 2004 2Data derived from the Prostiva System User Guide 250369-001 ( www.urologix.com )