In the last decade of the new millennium, the number of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) treatments has decreased significantly. To discover the reasons for this trend, we decided to review the literature on TUMT. This review focuses mainly on the effectiveness of TUMT on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the impact on erectile dysfunction (ED). The reference method was TURP. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 1991 to 2021 to identify studies on transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT). The review included both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized trials (nRCTs), and 55 items were selected for further analysis. They included 13 randomized reports, 1 non-randomized report, and 8 reviews. Surprisingly, data analysis showed that TUMT is almost as effective as TURP in reducing LUTS. However, significant differences in complication profiles were noted. TUMT showed negligible morbidity and no serious complications compared to TURP. TUMT is also characterized by a slight influence on erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation in contrast to TURP. Two facts of TUMT draw attention: the lack of precise qualification criteria and too few randomized controlled trials. Despite the critical attitude of some researchers to TUMT, it seems to be a valuable method and a suitable alternative to TURP. However, further research is needed, with an increasing number of randomized controlled trials. This review discusses the effects on erectile dysfunction (ED) of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction, Lower urinary tract symptoms, Review Literature as Topic, Transurethral Resection of Prostate