WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

THERE is a small chance of urinary tract infections and sexual dysfunction.

PATIENTS may have blood in their urine or feel a burning sensation when they urinate.

THE procedure may fail and need to be repeated. ‘It’s new so we don’t have long-term follow-up results,’ says Simon Bott, a consultant urologist at Spire Clare Park Hospital, Farnham, Surrey.

‘But so far it is much more effective than tablets. There is minimal bleeding and men can almost invariably ejaculate normally afterwards.’

He adds that it’s not clear if it’s as effective as cutting away the enlarged tissue, ‘but the fact it’s less of an ordeal for patients means it is a useful option’.