Green Light Therapy for the Prostate

Green light therapy is a new technique used for removing excess prostate tissue that may be causing discomfort or blocking urine flow. Another name for this condition is benign prostatic hyperplasia, which means that the prostate is enlarged, but not cancerous. The procedure is minimally invasive and is a quick outpatient procedure that has been successfully used on moret than a quarter million men as of 2009 (see Resources).

Procedure

• The green light therapy procedure is very quick and effective at reducing an enlarged prostate. First, a very small tube is inserted into the patient's urethra via a cystoscope. A laser beam carefully burns away the excess prostate tissue, which will release the pressure on the urethra and allow easier urine flow. The entire procedure lasts no more than an hour and the patient can usually leave after a few hours of resting.

Advantages

• For men who have urine flow problems caused by an enlarged prostate, green light therapy treatments can cure the problem easily without invasive surgery. The results will last unless the prostate enlarges again, and patients can be on their feet in a matter of hours with no pain after a few days. The cost of green light therapy is usually covered by insurance.

Disadvantages

• While green light therapy treatment can be a good remedy for some, there are a few minimal risks involved. According to the Green Light Therapy website, less than 1 percent of treated men have experienced some sexual dysfunction. Other side effects include a burning sensation in the urethra, blood in the urine, and bladder pain or cramps (see Resources).