Why transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is done
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is done to help you pee more easily. You might have it if your prostate has grown too large and is putting pressure on your bladder or the tube that carries pee out of your penis (urethra), which can make it hard to pee.
You might also need TURP if you have an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
TURP can help if you:
- need to pee often
- feel like you still need to pee after going to the toilet
- take a long time to pee, or your pee stops then starting again
- have pee leaking out (urinary incontinence)
What happens during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is an operation that's done in hospital.
You might have general anaesthetic, where you're asleep, or a spinal anaesthetic, where you're numb from the waist down and will not feel any pain. A doctor will talk to you about which is best for you.
A long, thin tube with a camera and other tools in it is passed into your penis and up to your prostate. The surgeon will use this tube to remove small pieces of your prostate.
The operation can take around an hour. This depends on how much of your prostate needs to be removed.
You'll have a catheter put in to help you empty your bladder, so you do not have to pee straight after the operation.
A small sample of your prostate may be sent to a laboratory for testing, to check for things like cancer.
There's no need for any stiches or dressings afterwards.
After the operation
You'll spend some time in the recovery room and be given medicine to help with pain and swelling.
After the operation you might:
- see blood mixed with pee in the catheter bag for a few days
- need to have your catheter flushed
- be a bit sore in and around where you had the operation (ask for pain relief if you need it)
- need to pee often, for a few days after your catheter is removed – it might burn when you pee and there might be a bit of blood in your pee
- not be able to control when you pee after your catheter is removed
These things should get better as you recover.
Get support for bladder problems
Bladder & Bowel UK has specialist nurses who can give you advice about bladder problems.
You can fill in the online contact form or call 0161 214 4591.
Recovery after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
Most people leave hospital around 1 to 4 days after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
You may be able to do your usual activities around 2 to 4 weeks afterwards, but it can take up to 6 weeks to fully heal.
If you find it painful or difficult to pee when your catheter is removed, you may need a new catheter put in before you go home. After you've left hospital, a district nurse can help you with your catheter and remove it after a few days.
There's a chance you'll have blood in your pee again 10 to 14 days after your operation. This is part of the recovery process.
There are some things you can do help with your recovery.
Do
-
drink lots of fluid for the first few days after TURP to reduce the chance of a bladder infection
-
take pain relief when you need it, and any antibiotics you're given
-
start pelvic floor exercises as soon as you can, to help you regain control of your bladder
Don’t
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do not lift very heavy things or do intense exercise for around 6 weeks afterwards
Find out more about pelvic floor exercises for men in a leaflet from The British Association of Urological Surgeons.
Possible complications after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
Not everyone has complications after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but your doctor will talk to you about the chance of complications happening and what can be done to help.
Some of the problems that can happen include:
- still having problems peeing
- heavy bleeding during or straight after TURP
- difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- permanently being unable to control when you pee (urinary incontinence) and always needing a catheter
- needing to have TURP again if your prostate regrows
- problems with your fertility – having no semen when you ejaculate, but sex will still feel the same
There's also a chance of finding prostate cancer or bladder cancer. This might happen during the operation, or later, when the sample of your prostate is tested.
If this happens, your doctor will talk to you about the next steps.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You recently had transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and:
- you have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery
- you suddenly cannot pee
- you're bleeding from your penis
- you have blood in your pee which looks like small blobs of jelly
- your penis is swollen or red (redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Alternatives to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
If transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is not right for you, there are other options if you're finding it hard to pee. Your doctor will talk with you about any that are suitable for you.
Some options include:
- avoiding drinks before bedtime
- reducing the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
- medicines to help you pee more easily
There are also procedures that can make your prostate smaller, or widen the urethra, so you can pee easier. Some procedures have a shorter recovery time and fewer side effects than TURP, but not all of them are available on the NHS.
Find out more about other treatments
Page last reviewed: 12 June 2025
Next review due: 12 June 2028