Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) stands as a beacon of hope for those grappling with BPH, a condition causing the prostate gland to enlarge at an alarming rate. With BPH affecting approximately 150,000 US men and AMAB annually, sufferers often grapple with the nagging question, “how long does frequent urination last after TURP?” Beyond the primary symptoms, such as a persistent urge to urinate, blood in the urine, and a weakened urinary stream, there’s a growing interest in prostate nutrition as a complementary approach to enhance recovery. It’s noteworthy that a TURP, which can be executed under general or spinal anesthesia, requires patients to halt any blood-thinning medications a week before the procedure.
Understanding TURP
A transurethral resection procedure (TURP) is an increasingly common solution to treat benign prostatic enlargement/hyperplasia (BPE/BPH). TURP can relieve many of the symptoms associated with BPH, including frequent urges to urinate in the middle of the night; an inability to completely empty their bladder; weak or trickling urine output and pain during urination. A TURP is performed in the hospital under general or spinal anesthesia and typically lasts less than 90 minutes. A device called a resectoscope is inserted into your urethra and prostate so your doctor can see directly the areas with increased tissue. A resectoscope features valves to regulate irrigating fluid, helping remove the enlarged tissue. It also features a loop of wire heated with electrical current that cuts tissue and seals blood vessels, with another thin tube known as a catheter being used to pump fluid into your bladder and flush away pieces of tissue that have been removed from it.
After having a TURP, it is common to experience difficulty urinating and blood in your urine for several weeks post-procedure, however this should gradually improve with sufficient water consumption to avoid dehydration and flush away blood in your urine. You should also take over-the-counter painkillers as necessary if discomfort arises – however until instructed by your urologist it is wise to engage in sexual relations again.
Up to 10% of men who undergo TURP experience temporary or permanent urinary incontinence. Treatment options including Kegel exercises and pelvic muscle strengthening could potentially help manage urinary incontinence post TURP, including behavioral interventions such as pelvic floor modification.
Post-TURP Symptoms: A Deep Dive
Men may require TURP when their symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) do not respond to home remedies and medication. The process involves extracting part of the prostate gland from below their bladder that wraps around a tube known as the urethra to transport urine out of their bodies (Urethra).
Under TURP, doctors insert a small instrument known as a resectoscope into your urethra through your penis, equipped with lights, cameras and electrical loops that cut away prostate tissue. The procedure takes place either under general or spinal anesthesia.
After having a TURP procedure performed, it’s common to experience blood in your urine for one to two weeks following. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids as this will help wash away any clots in the bladder. If bright red blood keeps appearing in your urine after several days have passed, notify your physician as this could indicate internal bleeding or an infection in the urinary tract system.
Some men who undergo TURP may experience difficulty maintaining an erection after treatment, due to an enlarged prostate or other health concerns. Medicine may help improve erections for some. As a precautionary measure after having undergone TURP surgery, strenuous activities (sports included) and alcohol should be limited – this will decrease your chances of blood clots forming which could potentially be fatal.
Recovery Timeline: Addressing the Central Question
If you suffer from BPH-related urinary issues such as frequent urination and the feeling that your bladder is always full, your doctor may suggest TURP. This surgical procedure removes sections of the prostate gland to relieve pressure on both your bladder and urethra; typically done under general or spinal anaesthesia and taking approximately 1-2 hours.
Your surgeon will insert a tool known as a resectoscope into your urethra to cut away abnormal prostate tissue and seal any damaged blood vessels. He/she will also flush your bladder with sterile fluid before extracting urine through a catheter tube.
Most people find their urination improves following TURP, though some still experience symptoms such as bladder overactivity, leakage or weak urinary stream. If these persist your doctor may suggest further surgery to address them.
On occasion, you may notice a small amount of blood in your urine after having electrocautery surgery done on you. This is entirely normal since the scab that formed on the urethra will gradually dissipate over time.
After having undergone a transurethral resection (TURP), it is essential to drink ample fluids – particularly water – in order to prevent bladder irritation and infection. Fizzy drinks as well as caffeine-containing beverages (tea, coffee and cola) should also be avoided for best results. Your healthcare provider will advise on the appropriate amounts of fluid intake.
Managing Post-TURP Urinary Frequency
TURP stands for transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). This surgery typically requires general or spinal anesthesia. A tool known as resectoscope, similar to cystoscope, will be passed through your urethra until reaching your prostate where a light and camera attached will allow the surgeon to visualize what they’re working on before cutting away any part that presses upon your bladder or urethra with loop of wire cutters.
After surgery, you may experience difficulty with urination and see blood in your urine. Drinking plenty of fluids to flush the bladder may help. In addition, any activities which exert too much strain or pressure on the bladder such as heavy lifting or strenuous exercise must be avoided since these activities could potentially cause bleeding in the bladder and urinary tract infections.
Most men who undergo TURP find that their urinary symptoms improve significantly as a result. Urinary peak flow rates improve on average by more than 100% and effective bladder capacity typically increases by 45-55% by six months post-op, as well as most being able to stop using medications for treating their urinary symptoms altogether.
Potential Complications and Red Flags
Men with BPH often find TURP to be one of the most effective treatments, particularly when their symptoms have persisted despite patiently waiting. But like any surgical procedure, TURP comes with certain risks and side effects which must be carefully considered prior to proceeding with any treatments or surgeries.
Surgery for prostate removal typically involves administering general or spinal anesthesia and using a long, thin tool known as a resectoscope to navigate up the urethra to extract portions of prostate. Your surgeon may use a catheter flushing the bladder in order to flush away blood clots which form and ensure complete removal.
After having undergone a TURP procedure, your bladder may become full of urine; to prevent dehydration it is essential that you consume plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration and avoid strenuous activity or constipation until any pain and bleeding has subsided.
Complications after TURP are rare, though some men may require postoperative follow up because their prostate tissue regrows and causes urinary issues again. Another potential complication may be hematuria (blood in the urine), which may occur sometime post-surgery; be mindful of any changes to your urinary symptoms that might signal this happening and consult your physician immediately if this occurs.
Some patients may experience retrograde ejaculation after having undergone a TURP procedure, where semen flows back through their urethra into their bladder, which may cause discomfort but should go away on its own. If severe cases persist, however, it’s best to visit your physician immediately to discuss additional surgery as soon as possible.
Conclusion
TURP surgery is an effective, safe way of treating symptoms related to an enlarged prostate. The process entails inserting a thin instrument into the urethra and cutting away portions of tissue to relieve obstruction. TURP provides safe and effective relief for various urinary symptoms.
Operative procedures typically last from one to two hours, depending on where they’re performed: hospital or your urologist’s office. An electric current is used to heat a loop of wire that cuts away part of your prostate before flushing away removed tissue. Once this process has finished, a urinary catheter may be placed in your urethra for drainage from your bladder – though your urine may appear red or blood stained, which should not cause alarm.
After having undergone a TURP procedure, most men experience retrograde ejaculation. This occurs when semen no longer leaves your penis during orgasm but instead washes into your bladder to leave as part of the next urination cycle – not posing any health risk but potentially diminishing orgasm and sexual satisfaction for some men. For best results after such procedures it is generally advised that they refrain from sexual relations for at least 2-3 weeks following.
