A UroLift is a minimally invasive procedure that treats an enlarged prostate by placing tiny permanent implants that physically hold open the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Instead of cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue, it works like small curtain tie-backs, pulling the enlarged lobes of the prostate apart so urine can flow freely again. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and can be done in a clinic rather than a hospital.
How the Implants Work
The prostate sits around the urethra like a donut. When it enlarges, it squeezes the urethra and makes urination difficult. During a UroLift (formally called a prostatic urethral lift), a urologist threads a small instrument through the urethra to the prostate. A thin needle passes through the prostate tissue and deposits a tiny anchor on the outer surface of the gland. When the needle retracts, a strong permanent suture pulls the tissue back and a second anchor locks into place on the inner urethral wall. The result is that the bulging lobe is cinched open, like pinning back a curtain from a window.
Most patients receive between two and six implants, depending on how much tissue is blocking the channel. Each implant consists of a stainless steel and nickel-titanium (nitinol) anchor pair connected by a single monofilament suture. The implants are MRI-safe, meaning you can have an MRI scan immediately after the procedure in machines up to 3 Tesla, which covers virtually all clinical scanners.
What the Procedure Feels Like
UroLift is usually performed in a clinic or outpatient setting. You receive a numbing gel inserted into the urethra along with a sedative to help you relax. You’re awake but comfortable throughout. The entire procedure generally wraps up in under 30 minutes, and most men go home the same day.
One notable advantage: most men can urinate on their own immediately afterward without needing a catheter. That’s a meaningful difference from some other prostate procedures, where a catheter may stay in for days or even weeks.
Recovery and What to Expect Afterward
Plan on taking roughly two weeks off work. During the first two to four weeks, you should avoid heavy lifting and straining, though light exercise is fine. Many men notice improved urinary flow within the first couple of weeks, though it can take a bit longer for the full benefit to settle in.
The most common side effects in the first three months are mild and temporary. About a third of patients experience some burning with urination (dysuria), roughly a quarter see blood in their urine, and around 18% report pelvic pain. Urinary urgency affects about 7% of patients. These effects are generally classified as mild and resolve on their own as the tissue heals around the implants.
Long-Term Results
The landmark L.I.F.T. study tracked patients for five years after the procedure. At the five-year mark, symptom scores had improved by 36%, quality of life ratings improved by 50%, and urine flow rate increased by 44%. These improvements held steady over the full follow-up period, which is reassuring for a procedure that doesn’t remove any tissue.
That said, about 13.6% of men in that study needed an additional surgical procedure within five years. The prostate can continue growing around the implants over time, potentially reducing their effectiveness. This reintervention rate is higher than some alternatives but lower than what many patients expect given how quick and noninvasive the procedure is.
Sexual Function Is Preserved
This is one of the biggest reasons men choose UroLift over traditional prostate surgery. The procedure has shown no incidence of new ejaculatory problems, a side effect that affects a large percentage of men who undergo standard surgical options like TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). TURP commonly causes retrograde ejaculation, where semen flows backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis. UroLift avoids this because it doesn’t cut or destroy tissue near the ejaculatory ducts.
Who Is a Good Candidate
UroLift works best for men over 50 with a prostate volume between 20 and 70 cubic centimeters (roughly small to moderately enlarged), moderate to severe urinary symptoms, and a urine flow rate below 15 milliliters per second. It’s generally not recommended for men with very large prostates over 100 cubic centimeters or those who have experienced complete urinary retention.
The procedure was originally limited to men whose obstruction came from the side lobes of the prostate. An obstructing middle lobe, which pushes up from the floor of the urethra near the bladder, was initially a contraindication. However, research published in 2018 demonstrated that UroLift can also be performed successfully in men with middle lobe obstruction, expanding the pool of eligible candidates.
How UroLift Compares to Other Options
Versus TURP
TURP is the traditional gold standard for surgically treating an enlarged prostate. It’s highly effective but carries significant risks: urinary incontinence, retrograde ejaculation, and sexual dysfunction are all well-documented complications. TURP also requires general or spinal anesthesia and a longer recovery. UroLift trades some of that raw effectiveness for a much gentler recovery and preservation of sexual function.
Versus Rezum (Water Vapor Therapy)
Rezum uses steam to destroy excess prostate tissue, which the body then reabsorbs over several weeks. It tends to be more durable than UroLift, with lower reintervention rates at every time point studied. At five years, about 6.8% of Rezum patients needed retreatment compared to 10.9% of UroLift patients. However, Rezum comes with a rougher initial recovery. Nearly a quarter of Rezum patients experience urinary retention requiring a catheter afterward, compared to far fewer with UroLift. Rezum patients also have higher rates of urinary tract infections (7.5% versus 3.9%) and fever.
The core tradeoff is straightforward: UroLift offers a faster, easier recovery with fewer short-term complications but may not last as long. Rezum delivers a more permanent tissue reduction but involves a more uncomfortable healing period. Both preserve sexual function far better than traditional surgery, though neither is perfect.
Insurance Coverage
UroLift is FDA-cleared and covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. Coverage has been in place since 2013 for Medicare beneficiaries. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your specific plan, whether the procedure is done in a clinic or hospital outpatient facility, and your deductible status. Procedures performed in a doctor’s office setting generally cost less than those done in a hospital, even when the procedure itself is identical.