High pressure water jet blasted at the prostate could ‘shrink it without damaging blokes’ sex life’

A HIGH pressure water jet could replace lasers for prostate treatment in a bid to boost men’s sex lives, scientists say.

Millions of men go through treatment for an enlarged prostate as the condition affects half of over-50s and eight in 10 over-70s.

King Charles was treated for the condition last year.

Standard procedure uses lasers but can leave blokes with trouble in the bedroom.

Experts at Bonn University in Germany found “aquablation”;, a keyhole procedure using a tiny jet of water to shrink the prostate, is also effective but has fewer side effects.

Professor Cosimo De Nunzio, of the European Association of Urology, said: “This is a very promising option for men who prefer to see little or no impact on their sex lives.”;

The study, presented at the EAU Congress, tracked 202 men in Germany and England who needed treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The condition, also known as BPH or BPE, is a non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate, a golf ball-sized gland in the male pelvis.

The NHS says it is “common in men aged over 50 and not usually a serious threat to health”;.

Sex troubles ‘five times higher' with standard treatment

Around half of the 202 men had aquablation while the other half were treated with a laser.

Afterwards, 15 per cent of men in the water jet group had ejaculation problems compared to 77 per cent of men in the laser group.

Just nine per cent in the water jet group had incontinence after treatment, compared to 20 per cent in the standard treatment group.

Lead researcher Professor Manual Ritter said: “Our study shows significant promise for an alternative to laser-based treatments.

“Many men accept their symptoms as a normal part of ageing but after surgery they are very happy to get rid of their medication and symptoms.

“Evidence that it is also effective at preserving ejaculatory function brings added benefits for those who wish to preserve their sex lives.”;

He added that the technique would be easier for surgeons to master than the laser therapy.