Risks

TUMT is generally safe with few if any major complications. Possible risks of TUMT might include:

• New onset or worsening urinary symptoms. Sometimes TUMT can result in chronic inflammation within the prostate. The inflammation can cause symptoms such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, and painful urination.
• Temporary difficulty urinating. You might have trouble urinating for a few days after the procedure. Until you can urinate on your own, you will need to have a tube (catheter) inserted into your penis to carry urine out of your bladder.
• Urinary tract infection. This type of infection is a possible complication after any prostate procedure. An infection is increasingly likely to occur the longer you have a catheter in place. You will likely need antibiotics to treat the infection.
• Need for re-treatment. TUMT might be less effective in the treatment of urinary symptoms than other minimally invasive treatments or surgery. You might need to be treated again with another BPH therapy.

Because of potential complications, TUMT might not be a treatment option if you have or have had:

• A penile implant
• Narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture)
• Certain types of BPH treatment affecting a specific area of the prostate (median lobe)
• A pacemaker or defibrillator
• Metal implants in the pelvic area, such as a total hip replacement

If you have other conditions that increase your risk of bleeding or if you take blood thinners — such as warfarin (Jantoven) or clopidogrel (Plavix) — your doctor may recommend a different procedure to treat your urinary symptoms.