TherMatrx Office Thermo Therapy for Enlarged Prostate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TherMatrx safe?
Yes. More than 60,000 men have had the procedure since it was introduced in 2001. Side effects reported were generally mild; the majority of them were reported within days after the treatment and disappeared shortly thereafter without any treatment.¹ Talk to your doctor about any questions you may have.

Will I be able to resume a normal sex life?
Yes. Unlike many drug therapies for enlarged prostate, studies have shown that there is less than 1% decrease in sexual function after TherMatrx.^1,2

Does my insurance cover this?
Medicare and most private insurance plans cover the TherMatrx procedure.

What is the recovery period like?
Patients should limit activity for about 24 hours and resume normal activities in three days.¹

Will I be better right away?
It generally takes about 6-12 weeks to heal.¹ Your doctor may recommend continuing any medications during the first few weeks following your TherMatrx treatment.

Are there side effects?
In the clinical study on the TMX-2000 BPH treatment system, most patients did not experience any side effects.¹ The majority of the side effects were reported within days after the treatment and disappeared shortly thereafter without any treatment.¹ If at any time you are concerned about any side effect you may be experiencing, do not hesitate to contact your doctor.

How can I learn more about the TherMatrx® Office Thermo Therapy™?
Please consult your urologist for more detailed information and risks. As with any medical procedure individual results will vary. The statements on this web site are based on typical clinical study outcomes.

Glossary of Terms

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that restricts urine flow
Catheter - A thin, flexible tube inserted through the penis used to drain urine from the bladder
Cystoscope - An instrument that allows the doctor to examine the bladder and prostate
Cystoscopy - In this exam, the doctor inserts a small tube through the opening of the urethra in the penis. This test allows the doctor to determine the size of the gland and identify the location and degree of the obstruction.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) - This exam is usually the first test done. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the part of the prostate next to the rectum. This exam gives the doctor a general idea of the size and condition of the gland.
Incontinence - Inability to control or hold back urine
Impotence - Failure to achieve or to maintain an erection
Prostate - A walnut-sized gland that secretes prostatic fluid which carries sperm
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test - In order to rule out cancer as a cause of urinary symptoms, your doctor may recommend a PSA blood test. PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells, is frequently present at elevated levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a PSA test for use in conjunction with a digital rectal exam to help detect prostate cancer in men age 50 or older and for monitoring prostate cancer patients after treatment.
Rectal Ultrasound - If there is a suspicion of prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend a test with rectal ultrasound. In this procedure, a probe inserted in the rectum directs sound waves at the prostate. The echo patterns of the sound waves form an image of the prostate gland on a display screen.
Retrograde Ejaculation - When semen travels up the urethra towards the bladder instead of outside of the body
Urine Flow Study - Sometimes the doctor will ask a patient to urinate into a special device which measures how quickly the urine is flowing. A reduced flow often suggests BPH.

1. Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy System. TherMatrx TMx-2000™. PMA P000043 summary of safety and effectiveness data. Approved June 29, 2001. Available at: www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf/p000043.html.

2. Tepera C, Albala D, Andriole G, Davis BE, Kabalin JN, Lingeman, Nuzzarello J, Eure GR. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) using the TherMatrx TMX-2000. Improved sexual function exhibited in a randomized, blinded study comparing TUMT with a sham procedure in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). 52nd Annual James C. Kimbrough Urological Seminar Jan 26-21, 2005. Honolulu, Hawaii.