What happens later at home?

Once home, the individual should drink plenty of fluids. This helps wash any remaining blood out of the bladder. This is important since clotting of the blood could create a urinary blockage. The man should also avoid heavy lifting for several weeks after this procedure. This activity could result in bleeding. Pain medicine can be used as directed if needed.

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

The main side effect of TURP is retrograde ejaculation. This is a condition in which semen flows back into the bladder during ejaculation. Normally, semen is ejected out through the end of the penis. For the most part, this problem does not affect a man's ability to have an erection or an orgasm. It does, however, make him infertile. Men who wish to father children should understand this side effect before considering the procedure.

Symptoms such as weak urine stream and inability to completely empty the bladder go away quickly following a TURP procedure. Other symptoms such as the need to urinate frequently and incontinence may take longer to clear up. Sometimes, medicines such as oxybutynin or tolterodine can be used to "calm" the bladder until these symptoms go away. Most of the time these medicines are needed only temporarily. Occasionally, they may have to be taken long term.

Following TURP, a urinary catheter may need to be put back into the bladder temporarily after the procedure. This probably occurs because of swelling at the site. This problem comes up in 4 to 6% of cases. The catheter is usually needed only for a few days.

Other rare complications include urinary incontinence, or the inability to control urine. An abnormal narrowing of the urethra may cause trouble with urination in rare cases. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.