Urology

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also commonly referred to as BPH, is a urological condition characterized by an enlarged prostate. As men age, the prostate goes through periods of growth. As the prostate grows, it can cause other issues such as bladder, kidney or urinary tract infections.

Bladder prolapse, also known as a prolapsed bladder, a cystocele or a fallen bladder, occurs when the floor of the bladder begins to sag through the supportive muscles and ligaments that hold them in place.

Blood in urine (Hematuria) is a medical condition when blood is found in the urine.

Enlarged prostate also commonly referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a medical condition in men where the prostate gland is enlarged.

Erectile dysfunction, also referred to as ED, is the inability for a man to sustain an erection to have sex. Many men occasionally suffer from erectile dysfunction, but it should not become a concern until it occurs on a consistent basis.

Kidney failure happens when your kidneys can't filter the waste from your blood. As a result, dangerous levels of substances like potassium build up in the blood. It can be caused by injuries or diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, which damage the kidneys over time. Symptoms may include going to the bathroom more frequently, feeling like you can't catch your breath, chest pain or discomfort and swollen legs, feet or ankles.

Kidney infections happen when bacteria travels through your urinary tract into your kidneys. Kidney infections can happen in anyone, but women are more at risk. Symptoms include burning or pain when urinating, pain in your groin, side or back, blood in your urine, urine that smells bad, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

A kidney stone is a small mass of minerals, salts and other materials that crystalize inside the kidney when the urine becomes concentrated.

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Some men may experience urinary incontinence when coughing or sneezing, while others have an urgent need to urinate and can’t get to a toilet in time.

Overactive bladder is a common urinary condition that describes a group of symptoms where the urge to urinate is hard to control.

Peyronie’s disease is a urology condition where scar tissue forms inside the penis, which can cause painful erections. In some men, the condition causes a severe bend that makes it challenging to have sex or maintain an erection.

Prostatitis is inflammation and swelling in the prostate caused by a bacterial infection. Prostatitis is the most common urological condition in men younger than 50 years old and causes painful urination.

A ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction occurs where there is a blockage in one of the ureters, the tube that brings urine from the kidney to the bladder. The blockage causes a backup of urine that can result in kidney damage. UPJ is most often diagnosed in children born with a blockage, but can also occur in children and adults with scar tissue. UPJ obstruction that affects kidney function is treated with surgery.

Urinary incontinence in women, also known as female incontinence or female urinary incontinence, is a urological condition where a woman accidentally or involuntary loses control of her bladder.

Vaginal atrophy happens when the tissues in the vagina start thinning out. It can make having sex painful. Other symptoms include dryness, itching and bleeding. Hormone changes during menopause, while breastfeeding or after having a baby are the main causes. These changes thin the lining of the vagina, making it drier and more fragile. It's a common condition but doesn't affect everyone. Regular sexual activity can help prevent this condition.

Your body naturally creates a clear fluid that keeps the tissues in your vagina stretchy and healthy. A drop in hormone levels often causes your body to make less of that fluid. This change in hormones is common during and after menopause. Dryness can happen to women of all ages but it’s most common in older women. Doctors often treat it with hormone therapy or over-the-counter products.

A varicocele is an enlarged vein within the scrotum — the bag of skin that holds the testicles. In many men, varicoceles develop on the left side during puberty. If left untreated, varicocele can decrease sperm quality and production, which can lead to infertility.

Cystometrogram is a test to measure bladder function by looking at how it fills and empties. It measures details like how much your bladder holds, the amount of pressure in your bladder and how full you think your bladder is. The procedure involves inserting a pressure sensor into your bladder through your urinary opening. The test can help doctors diagnose problems including frequent urination, inability to hold your urine or feeling like you can’t urinate. Doctors may also use this test for people with neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries.

A cystoscopy, also called bladder scope, is an endoscopic procedure to examine the bladder and urethra. Doctors perform a cystoscopy by inserting a special camera into the urethra, the tube urine comes out of. They are typically performed to diagnose urinary tract diseases, bladder cancer or to determine pain in the urinary tract. If doctors find anything suspicious, they can take a sample to look at under a microscope. Cystoscopies are typically performed at  the doctor's office with a local anesthetic, but may be performed as an outpatient procedure under sedation.

Dialysis is a treatment that filters your blood, taking over the function of the kidneys. Kidneys filter waste from the body and maintain levels of chemicals like sodium and potassium. Dialysis is recommended for patients with chronic kidney disease or in end stage kidney failure. Dialysis can be occur at home, in an outpatient facility or at the hospital.

An inflatable artificial sphincter is used to treat urine leakage in men. Urine leakage is most common in men who have had surgery on their prostate. An artificial sphincter is a rubber cuff that is put below the exit to the bladder, around the urine tube. When the cuff is inflated, urine won’t leak out. When it’s time to urinate, the cuff can be deflated with a control pump that is put in your scrotum.

Laser ablation is a surgery for prostate cancer, in which a surgeon uses laser heat to kill cancer cells that live in the prostate. During laser ablation, a small tool is inserted into the tip of the penis so the laser can reach the cancer cells. It is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and is minimally invasive.

MonaLisa Touch Laser Therapy is a treatment used to treat vaginal symptoms women may experience after menopause. During the procedure, a probe is inserted into the vagina and utilizes painless, mild laser energy to improve blood flow. MonaLisa Touch Laser Therapy can improve vaginal dryness and discomfort by improving moisture levels. The procedure is fairly simple and can usually be done in the doctor’s office.

A pelvic exam is a procedure done at the doctor’s office to examine reproductive organs. It can be part of a normal check-up, or can be done if you’re having symptoms in your pelvis. During the pelvic exam, the doctor will examine both the outside and the inside of the pelvis. To examine the inside, the doctor may insert a gloved finger or speculum into the vagina to see the cervix and perform a pap smear.

A pelvic sling (bladder sling) is a surgery that can treat urine leakage in women, typically from straining, laughing or sneezing. In this procedure, the surgeon will place a sling made synthetic mesh, tissue, or animal tissue.The sling supports the urethra, the tube that transports urine from the bladder out, and keeps it closed during activity.

A penile implant is a prosthetic device surgically placed into the penis to help men who have erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is a condition where a man can’t get or maintain an erection. There are two types of implants: semi-rigid and inflatable, and there are pros and cons to both. A penile implant is typically used when erectile dysfunction does not resolve naturally or with medication.

Percutaneous embolization is a type of surgery used to treat a varicocele. In this procedure, the surgeon inserts a wire into a vein in the leg. The wire is snaked through the vessels into the collection of veins in the scrotum. The surgeon then uses the wire to pack the veins with solid and/or liquid substances (embolic agents) to fix the varicocele.

Plication surgery is used to correct the bend of the penis caused by Peyronie's disease. During plication, a surgeon opens up the skin on the penis and cuts away some of the tissue on the long side of the curve. Surgery will straighten the penis, but as a result, the penis may become shorter after the surgery. There is a low risk of the curve coming back after this surgery.

A prostate biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that is used to diagnose prostate cancer. During a prostate biopsy, your doctor will remove a small sample of abnormal tissue from the prostate and send to a laboratory for testing.

A prostatectomy is a surgery where some or all of the prostate is removed. A prostatectomy is typically recommended if you have urinary issues from your prostate being too large or prostate cancer. There are a few approaches to a prostatectomy, but they all involve making one or more incisions on the lower abdomen.

A pyeloplasty is a surgical treatment to relieve a urinary condition called ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.

Bladder suspension surgery, also known as bladder neck suspension, is a procedure that is used to treat stress incontinence in women.

Transurethral incision of the prostate is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with enlarged prostates, which are typically caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Transurethral needle ablation, also known as TUNA or radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally invasive treatment option used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

A transurethral resection, also referred to as TURP, is a minimally invasive technique that involves removing parts of the prostate gland through the penis.

A urethral bulking injection is a procedure that is used to treat urinary incontinence in women.

A urinalysis is a diagnostic test that examines your urine to diagnose medical conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney problems or diabetes.

A vaginal pessary is a removable device that supports the areas in the pelvic region affected by pelvic organ prolapse or to relieve pressure caused by stress incontinence.