Side Effects of Turp Surgery
Transurethral resection of the prostate is a standard surgery for removing the enlarged part of the prostate where it constricts the urethra 1. It is done when a patient has bleeding through the urethra, kidney damage due to urine backup, frequent urination or an inability to urinate, or stones in the bladder.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Cautions
The surgery lasts about 90 minutes and the patient stays in the hospital about three days with a catheter connected to drain urine. After surgery, you should drink lots of water, eat a balanced diet and avoid driving, heavy lifting or operating machinery. A prophylactic laxative is often given to prevent constipation and straining.
Complications
Effects of Prostate Removal
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After TURP surgery, there may be some blood in the urine, discomfort, urgency to urinate or difficulty with urine control. Three out of 10 men experience a loss of sexual function for up to a year.
Side Effects
A common side effect is dry climax, a problem with ejaculation that may make the patient sterile. Other side effects include problems urinating, discomfort while urinating and incontinence.
Sexual Effects
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Patients often experience a loss of sexual function or discomfort during sex, but these symptoms usually lessen over the months following TURP surgery. Most men regain the ability to enjoy sex within months of the procedure.
Recovery Time
The longer you suffered symptoms before getting the surgery, the longer you will need to recover after the surgery. If you were able to have an erection before TURP surgery, you ought to be able to do so afterward.
Other Threats to Recovery
After surgery, extra prostate tissue can grow back and block urine flow. The bladder itself can be damaged or infected. The muscles around the urethra can be damaged during surgery and cause it to be difficult to control urine flow. Scars around the urethra may narrow it and cause the urethra to need to be stretched later.
- After surgery, extra prostate tissue can grow back and block urine flow.
- The muscles around the urethra can be damaged during surgery and cause it to be difficult to control urine flow.
Related Articles
References
- Transurethral Electro-Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
- Urology Care Foundation. What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)? Updated May 2019.
- American Urological Association. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms (2018, amended 2019).
- Presti JC, Kane CJ, Shinohara K, Carroll. PR. Neoplasms of the prostate gland. Chapt. 22. In: Tanagho and McAninch, eds. Smith's General Urology. 17th ed. New York: McGraw Hill.
- Surgical management of BPH. American Urological Association Foundation.
- Tanguay S, Awde M, Brock G, Casey R, et al. Diagnosis and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in primary care. Can Urol Assoc J 2009 (3Suppl2):S92-S100.
Writer Bio
Tom King published his first paid story in 1976. His book, "Going for the Green: An Insider's Guide to Raising Money With Charity Golf," was published in 2008. He received gold awards for screenwriting at the 1994 Worldfest Charleston and 1995 Worldfest Houston International Film Festivals. King holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Southwestern Adventist College.