6 Reasons Men Should See A Urologist

Given the close relationship between a man’s mental health and his overall health-related quality of life, it is increasingly clear that men suffer a significant burden of mental health issues, most of which go untreated. The situation is worsened by barriers to access to mental health services such as maladaptive coping, stigma and lack of awareness of the support services available in the community. At St Pete Urology, we treat a visit to our facility as the first regular contact between a patient and health care, using the opportunity to attend to a variety of health problems affecting our patients.

Relationship between mental health and urological disorders

At St Pete Urology, we appreciate that specific urological conditions, such as urinary tract infections, urologic cancers, kidney stones, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are usually accompanied by mental health issues like anxiety and depression. For example, about 10 percent of men with erectile dysfunction usually suffer from depression while 2.5 percent to 37 percent usually suffer from anxiety. Likewise, men with urinary incontinence tend to also have increased psychological distress, with anxiety rates of 3 percent to 10 percent and depression rates of 6 percent to 21 percent. Furthermore, men suffering from prostate cancer are four times more likely to commit suicide than men of similar age without the cancer.

At St Pete Urology, we cherish every contact with each patient and use it to treat urological disorders and associated mental health problems. For instance, when handling a patient with prostate cancer, we also take the role of screening for signs of anxiety and depression, educating him on the diagnosis, treatment and management of related side-effects, and providing support through referral of the patient to psychosocial services and the right rehabilitation programs. Similarly, for a man having urinary incontinence, we perform a functional analysis to assess the effects of the symptoms on daily life, recommend practical solutions like Kegel exercises and offer referrals to psychosocial services to address issues of interpersonal relationships and low self-esteem.

Comprehensive and effective treatments in urology

St Pete Urology offers an all-inclusive, multidisciplinary approach to urology. We emphasize the latest techniques including minimally-invasive, robotic and scarless procedures, develop personalized treatment plans that entail both surgical and medical approaches, and strive to make every visit as convenient as possible.

Our core specialty services include:

  1. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy treatment of kidney stones.
  2. Ureteroscopy for kidney stones and other urological conditions.
  3. Continent urinary diversion.
  4. Caval surgery for kidney and renal cancer.
  5. Treatment of prostate cancer, including nerve-sparing surgery and robotic radical prostatectomy.
  6. Male infertility and male sexual dysfunction.
  7. Vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.
  8. Urinary reconstruction.
  9. Complex urinary incontinence surgeries.
  10. Radiation oncology.
  11. Minimally-invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
  12. Laparoscopic renal surgeries.

A highly specialized care team

If a urology problem is causing you pain, discomfort or embarrassment, turning to a urologist at St Pete Urology who listens, responds compassionately and has the expertise to treat urinary disorders can help you to overcome your problems. Our urologists are a highly-specialized and knowledgeable team that went to the University of Pennsylvania and understand their work well. We have board-certified urologists who are experienced in treating low testosterone, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction and many other urological conditions.

So why should men visit a urologist?

  1. Recurrent urinary tract infections.
  2. Interstitial cystitis.
  3. Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.
  4. Male infertility and male sexual dysfunction.
  5. Kidney stones.
  6. Enlarged prostate.
  7. Cancers throughout the urinary tract, such as prostate, bladder, kidney, penile and testicular cancers.

Are you looking for quality treatment for your urological problem? Would you like to be treated by a urologist who will appreciate your mental health issues during the diagnosis and treatment of your urological disorder? If so, then St Pete Urology is the right place for you. Visit St Pete Urology, Florida today for comprehensive, patient-centered medical care. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

Treatment Success for Overactive Bladder

Successful treatment of overactive bladder can relieve annoying urinary symptoms and inject new enthusiasm and confidence into your life. While successful treatment may mean different things, it is typically defined by a reduction or an end to annoying and embarrassing bathroom visits that force you to approach everyday activities with fear and anxiety. It is important to know that an overactive bladder is not a disease but a group of urinary symptoms. Knowing this will help you to assess your disease, the range of symptoms and underlying causes and find the right treatment.

Targeted treatment

Treatment results for overactive bladder vary depending on the state of the condition and underlying causes of the symptoms. At St Pete Urology, the urologist will conduct a comprehensive medical history though an open, warm and private conversation to establish the state of your condition and identify potential causes. A physical examination is followed by relevant medical tests to help find the cause of the disorder in order to tailor treatment. The doctor also will create a record of the symptoms to be used later to monitor the success of the treatment.

Patient-oriented goals

Before choosing a treatment or combination of treatments that is ideal for you, the doctor will discuss all the options with you. The treatment chosen will target both the underlying cause and the symptoms. For example, if the underlying cause is a urinary tract infection, the urologist will offer antibiotics to combat the infection as well as provide the medications or recommend the exercises to alleviate the symptoms. The urologist will help you to identify your treatment goals to enable you to find relief as soon as possible. For example, voiding 6-8 times and getting up just once at night may be normal if you are an older adult. So if you have been voiding 12 times a day and 3 times a night, you may set your goal at 6 times a day and 1-2 times a night. When setting your goals, the doctor will explain what is normal and what is not so you can set goals that boost your treatment success..

In many cases, treatment success may be marked by:

  1. Decreased urinary urgency.
  2. No dribbling.
  3. Remaining dry all night.
  4. Sleeping all night or waking up just once to urinate.
  5. Remaining dry all day.
  6. Passing urine every couple of hours.

For instance, if you have been voiding 16 times a day, going down to 3 times a day means your treatment is successful. Likewise, if you previously woke up 3-4 times a night, going down to 1-2 times a night means your treatment is successful. Similarly, if the treatment can help you to stop dribbling on your way to the bathroom and significantly reduce your urinary urgency, then it can be classified as successful. With goals that are specific to your overactive bladder symptoms, you can easily monitor your treatment and increase success.

Tracking your symptoms

Overactive bladder is usually characterized by a sudden and uncontrollable urge to pass urine and the tendency to visit the bathroom several times (8 or more times) during the day and night. Urine also may leak immediately after you experience the urge. With treatment, the urgency and frequency of passing urine may begin to change, while urine leakage may reduce or stop. In order to monitor any improvements as soon as you begin treatment, it is important to record all your symptoms before treatment. At St Pete Urology, the urologist will help with taking your bladder records before treatment begins. The data then is used as treatment progresses to monitor your improvement and evaluate success.

Success rates vary with type of treatment

Outcomes vary from one treatment to another. For example, Botox can provide 80-90 percent success rate when chosen correctly. Likewise, a combination of bladder training, kegel exercises for pelvic floor muscles and anticholinergic drugs can produce a success rate of 70-90 percent when properly deployed. It is important to work with a urologist who has been treating overactive bladder on a regular basis and is knowledgeable and experienced to customize treatments for your condition. At St Pete Urology, we have a pool of skilled urologists who have been treating overactive bladder symptoms for decades. We will help you overcome embarrassing symptoms and get your life back to normal quickly. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

How long should it take to pass a kidney stone?

Most kidney stones will pass through the ureter to the bladder and out of the body when given time. In fact, with ample fluid intake, nearly all kidney stones will pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours. Nevertheless, the time it takes for a stone to be passed depends on its size and location in the urinary tract. For instance, smaller stones and those located in the lower portion of the urinary tract (closer to the bladder than the kidneys), have a higher likelihood of passing on their own and tend to pass more rapidly. Larger stones and those located in the kidneys are less likely to pass on their own and tend to pass more slowly.

How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?

According to the American Urological Association, the length of time required to pass a kidney stone located in the ureters (tube that connects kidneys to the bladder), is an average of 8 days if the stone is less than 2mm, about 12 days for a stone between 2mm and 4mm, and 22 days if the stone is between 4mm and 6mm. Generally, however, most kidney stones will pass on their own in 40 days. But when a medical expulsive therapy is applied, a kidney stone (2mm to 6mm) will pass within a few days or weeks provided the patient is in good health. Medications called antispasmodics can be used to accelerate the process of passing a stone. The drugs relax the ureters and increase the speed of passing a stone by up to 5-7 days. A urologist may allow for up to 6 weeks for a kidney stone to pass on its own, but earlier intervention may be necessary if the stone is causing severe pain, gastric discomfort or urinary problems.

Factors affecting the ability to pass a kidney stone

There are several factors that affect the ability to pass a kidney stone. They include:

  1. Prostate enlargement.
  2. Size of the person.
  3. Prior stone passage.
  4. Pregnancy.
  5. Size of the stone.
  6. Location of the stone.

For instance, a kidney stone that is 4mm in size has an 80 percent chance of passing while a stone that is 5mm in size has only a 20 percent chance. Kidney stones that are larger than 9mm-10mm can hardly pass without a doctor’s intervention and require timely treatment to avoid complications. To increase the passage rate of kidney stones, a urologist may recommend certain medications. The medications include alpha blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Procardia, Nifediac, Adalat or Afeditab).

Dealing with the symptoms of a kidney stone

Since most kidney stones will eventually pass through the urinary tract and out of the body when given time, treatment is usually directed toward controlling the symptoms. When the stones are passed at home, appropriate interventions usually include increased fluid intake and taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen. If over-the-counter pain medications are ineffective, stronger drugs such as Ketorolac (an injectable anti-inflammatory drug) and narcotic pain medications are used. In case of severe nausea and vomiting, the doctor may give intravenous medications.

When do kidney stones require removal?

Waiting for kidney stones to pass is not ideal for every case. According to the American Urological Association, kidney stone removal should be considered if a stone fails to pass on its own within 2 months. Likewise, stone removal is necessary if complications arise due to the stone. Complications that require stone removal include ureter blockage or irritation, urinary tract infection, decreased kidney function and uncontrolled pain, nausea or vomiting.

To remove kidney stones, a procedure called lithotripsy is often used. During the procedure, kidney stones are subjected to shock waves, resulting in the breakdown of larger stones into smaller pieces that can easily pass through the urinary tract. When lithotripsy is not effective, surgical techniques may be necessary to remove kidney stones. This may be done either by making a tiny incision in the skin (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or via an instrument (called ureteroscope) passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter.

Effective treatment at St Pete Urology

At St Pete Urology, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to treating and managing kidney stones of all sizes. We have assembled a highly integrated team of nephrologists, urologists, radiologists and dietary and metabolic specialists to ensure comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and proper assessment of the risks leading to the formation of kidney stones. By applying the latest technology in treating kidney stones (including state-of-the-art lasers) and a broad range of noninvasive and minimally-invasive procedures for removing small and large stones, we guarantee only the highest quality and successful treatment to all our patients. For more information, visit the St Pete Urology site.

4 Best Treatments for Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is not just an embarrassing and annoying condition. It can have serious impact on every aspect of your life. For instance, it can compel you to avoid vacations, dinner outings and other social events, miss out on valuable time with friends and family, or lose out on many hours of sleep. Fortunately, there are safe and effective ways to treat the condition and restore your life back to normal. Minor cases of OAB can be effectively treated with pelvic muscle exercises, bladder training and absorbent pads, while severe cases can be successfully treated with medication and surgery.

The 4 best treatments for overactive bladder are:

1. Bladder training

As a non-drug remedy with almost no side effects, bladder training helps to change how you use the bathroom and allows you to gain control over your bladder. Through scheduled voiding (urinating at set times of the day), you can learn to control the urge and gradually overcome embarrassing symptoms. Bladder training should begin with waiting for a few minutes before voiding and progressively increase to one hour or more between your bathroom visits.

2. Pelvic floor exercises

Carefully selected exercises can strengthen muscles that control urination and in turn relieve overactive bladder symptoms. During pelvic exercises, such as biofeedback and kegel exercises, you voluntarily tighten, hold and relax muscles responsible for starting and stopping urine flow and gradually regain control over your bladder.

3. Medications

If a specific cause is identified, overactive bladder can effectively be treated using appropriate drugs. For instance, if a urinary tract infection is the underlying cause, antibiotics can be used to alleviate the symptoms. Likewise, topical application of estrogen vaginal cream can be used to relieve OAB symptoms associated with atrophic urethritis.

Drugs commonly used to treat overactive bladder include:

  • (a) Anticholinergics: This group of drugs relieves symptoms by blocking nerve signals associated with involuntary contraction of bladder muscles. The drugs also reduce the urge to go to the bathroom and increase bladder capacity. Examples of anticholinergics are Darifenacin (Enablex), Tolterodine (Detrol), Fesoterodine (Toviaz), Trospium (Sanctura), Oxybutynin (Oxytrol) and Solifenacin (Vesicare).
  • (b) Antidepressant imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil), which relaxes the muscles of the bladder and relieves symptoms.
  • (c) Botox: When injected into the bladder muscles, Botox causes them to relax and minimizes involuntary muscle contractions. Botox also boosts bladder capacity. However, Botox is only recommended when oral medications, bladder training and exercises have failed.

4. Surgery

Urologists opt for surgery as a last resort when medications and behavioral therapy have failed. There are many surgical options available for treating overactive bladder, including sacral nerve neuromodulation and percutaneous tibial stimulation, which typically are used for severe overactive bladder symptoms. For successful treatment of OAB, urologists often combine two or more treatments such as combining behavioral interventions with oral medications.

Other measures for alleviating overactive bladder symptoms include:

  1. Limiting the intake of bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol.
  2. Cutting down excess weight.
  3. Avoiding spicy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate and tomatoes.
  4. Avoiding artificial sweeteners, which tend to aggravate symptoms.

At St Pete Urology, we have successfully treated overactive bladder for decades. Through open and candid conversations with patients, carefully selected treatments that depend on the underlying cause of symptoms and patient-oriented goals, we can help you to get back to your old routine quickly. Visit us today for evaluation and help with your overactive bladder symptoms. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

What is Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition defined by a set of urinary symptoms related to the frequency and control of urination. Most cases of overactive bladder are characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate even when the bladder is not full (urinary urgency), passing urine 8 or more times daily without excessive fluid intake (urinary frequency), and involuntary loss of urine immediately after onset of an urgent need to urinate (urge incontinence). In the United States, the condition affects at least 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women, with about 33 million Americans having bothersome overactive bladder.

Annoying and embarrassing problem

Untreated overactive bladder comes with symptoms that can cause serious embarrassment and get in the way of your social life, work, exercise and sleep. For instance, with lots of bathroom trips associated with the condition, you may begin to shy away from social events or everyday activities for fear of not finding a bathroom when you need one. As you refrain from going out with friends or engaging in everyday activities, you start to feel lonely and isolated and may even experience relationship problems with your spouse and family. Overactive bladder also can rob you of a good night’s sleep and leave you tired and depressed. Likewise, frequent leakage of urine can lead to infections or skin problems.

Causes of overactive bladder

At St Pete Urology, we are keen on identifying the underlying causes of an overactive bladder in order to boost treatment outcomes. We recognize that while an overactive bladder is quite common in older adults, it is not a normal part of aging but a treatable condition with various causes. Generally, OAB occurs when bladder muscles begin to contract involuntarily even when the volume of urine in the bladder is low. It is the involuntary contractions that cause the urgent need to pass urine. The most common causes of an overactive bladder include:
Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

  1. Catheter use.
  2. Obstructions to bladder outflow, such as enlarged prostate.
  3. Pelvic organ prolapse.
  4. Weakened or stretched pelvic muscles.
  5. Weakened or stretched bladder muscles.
  6. Incomplete emptying of bladder.
  7. Excess consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
  8. Structural problems with bladder.
  9. Stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
  10. Hip problems or hip surgery.

When to see a doctor

If your symptoms disrupt your life or cause distress, speak to your doctor about available treatments. While discussing such a private issue with your urologist may not be easy, doing so may be the beginning of restoring your life back to normal. Make sure to see a doctor if the symptoms disrupt your social interactions, work, sleep or everyday activities.

Safe, confidential and effective treatment

If you have overactive bladder, you should not allow the symptoms to weigh you down. Instead of feeling embarrassed, isolating yourself or limiting your work and social life, you should see a urologist for a brief evaluation to reveal the specific cause of your symptoms and help you to get relief. At St Pete Urology, we recognize that you may feel discouraged from seeking treatment because of the sensitive nature of the condition. For this reason, we offer confidential and patient-oriented services to suit your needs. Our candid and private conversations will help us explore your condition, identify the underlying cause and provide the right treatment. We help with all urinary incontinence problems in men and women, but evaluate men with urinary incontinence further to rule out prostate problems. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology: site.

Can You Get a Vasectomy Undone?

If for some reason, such as a remarriage or loss of a child after a vasectomy, you choose to have children, can you get a vasectomy undone? Certainly yes! In fact, you can have a vasectomy undone even after a period of time as long as 25 years. However, at St Pete Urology, we are aware that some people may misuse this procedure. For this reason, we are committed to open and informative discussions with our patients before they have a vasectomy, ensuring they know that vasectomy is a permanent birth control method which they should undergo only when certain that they no longer want to have children. We also inform them of the option of vasectomy reversal but only as an ideal option when there is a drastic change of circumstances and a pressing need to have children after a vasectomy.

Outpatient procedure

Vasectomy reversal is often done as an outpatient surgery performed under localized, regional or general anesthesia. Executed with the help of an operating microscope and taking 3-4 hours, vasectomy reversal involves reconnecting the two severed ends of the vas deferens to allow sperm to be transported out of the body. Most men are eligible for a vasectomy reversal, but we usually go through the procedure in detail with our patients to ensure it is right for them.

Techniques for reversing a vasectomy

Before embarking on a reverse vasectomy, the urologist checks for sperm within the vas deferens. The presence or absence of sperm determines the type of surgery performed by the doctor. For instance, if sperm is found within the vas, the urologist will simply need to put the two ends of the vas deferens back together in order to restore male fertility. This procedure is called vasovasostomy, a sewing back together of the severed ends of each tube that carries sperm. In other cases, a blockage closer to the testicle may prevent sperm from reaching the vas. This calls for a more complicated surgery called vasoepididymostomy, which bypasses the blockage. Vasoepididymostomy involves connecting the vas deferens directly to the epididymis (a small organ located at the back of every testicle and which holds sperm).

High success rate

A vasectomy reversal is a more complex procedure that requires more expertise and experience than the original vasectomy. Therefore, it is important that you work with a surgeon who performs vasectomy reversals on a regular basis and who has a track record of success with both types of reversals. When properly performed, vasectomy reversal has a high success rate of 80-95 percent. In fact, the return of sperm (potency rate) is as high as 95 percent, while pregnancy rates vary from 50-70 percent. However, the likelihood to achieve pregnancy after a reversal depends on various factors, including experience of the surgeon, length of time since the vasectomy was done, tissue or tube damage that occurred during original vasectomy, and fertility status and age of your female partner.

Recovery after a reversal

After reversal surgery, it takes 5-14 days to recover. Vasectomy reversal is a minimally-invasive procedure that will not have a heavy toll on your body so you may only expect some soreness in the scrotal area, but this can be relieved with pain medication. However, sexual intercourse and heavy lifting should be avoided during the first 4 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will assess the success of reverse vasectomy by examining your semen 6-8 weeks after the operation. Sperm quality will return to normal 3-6 months after reversal surgery.
At St Pete Urology, we have state-of-the-art facilities, experienced urologists and a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach to ensure your vasectomy reversal is an absolute success. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

How is a Vasectomy Done?

Vasectomy is one of the most effective and safest methods of birth control. It is also a quick, easy and office-based procedure that patients can walk in and out of without assistance. During a vasectomy, the small tubes in the scrotum called vas deferens are either cut or blocked off to prevent sperm from leaving the body to cause pregnancy. The surgical procedure takes 10-30 minutes and you can return home on the same day.

Specialized attention

At St Pete Urology, we ensure that patients get the best and safest operation possible. Our vasectomy procedures are typically performed in the office of a urologist, a doctor specialized in treating conditions of the urinary tract and reproductive system. Prior to the procedure, the urologist discusses all aspects of vasectomy with the patients and their partners as openly and candidly as possible. This ensures that the procedure is performed only on the right patients. We also give all our patients close and confidential attention and help them through the decision-making process.

Types of vasectomy

There are two types of vasectomies: the conventional (incision) method and the non-scalpel [no-cut) method. With the incision method, the urologist makes 1 or 2 small cuts in the scrotum in order to access the vas deferens. A tiny section of the vas deferens is cut and removed, then the ends are cauterized (sealed with heat) and tied with stitches. The urologist completes the operation by performing the same procedure on the other testicle, either via the same opening or a second scrotal incision. After the vas deferens is tied off, the doctor applies skin “glue” or a few stitches to close the opening(s) in the scrotum.

With the non-scalpel method, the urologist makes a tiny puncture hole on one side of the scrotum. Using the hole, the doctor finds and pulls out the vas deferens from under the skin. After cutting and removing a small section of the vas deferens, the doctor ties off or cauterizes its ends before putting it back in place. The procedure then is repeated on the other testicle. No stitches are necessary because the puncture holes are quite small. Since you will be awake throughout the procedure, the doctor gives you a localized anesthetic to numb the scrotum and minimize pain and discomfort. However, you will still feel some pulling and tugging during the procedure.

Recovery

Whether performed through the incision or the non-scalpel method, vasectomy is typically a minimally invasive procedure that you will recover from quickly. After the procedure, you will experience mild to moderate pain and soreness in the scrotal area, but this can be managed easily with pain medication. It will take you about 5-7 days to return to full activity and 1-2 weeks to resume sexual intercourse. Be sure to contact your doctor as soon as you experience any complications.

Ignore the myths

Vasectomy will not change your sexual desire or performance. It does not affect your levels of testosterone, erections and volume of ejaculate. In fact, based on available clinical data, vasectomy does not have any long-term effects on sex drive in men. On the contrary, many men have reported a remarkable improvement in their sexual vigor and enthusiasm after the procedure because they have been relieved of the fear of unwanted pregnancy. Vasectomy also will not increase your risk of prostate enlargement or prostate cancer. So if you are thinking of having a vasectomy, ignore the myths and speak with your doctor for help.

At St Pete Urology, we have offered non-scalpel vasectomies for many years and incision vasectomies for much longer. We provide comprehensive vasectomy services that include pre-procedure consultations, a safe and effective office-based procedure, and all the requisite follow-up testing. If you are thinking about having a vasectomy, call or visit us for help. For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

Why Interstim Therapy is For Both Men and Women

For men who suffer from embarrassing and frustrating bladder control problems like retention and overactive bladder, it is typically difficult to control when and how much you urinate. As a result, you may be compelled to cut back on your everyday activities, feeling trapped by the fear of accidental leaks and being unduly preoccupied with your bladder. Unfortunately, you also may find out that common treatments such as behavior modification, drugs, dietary changes, use of catheters to empty your bladder or pelvic floor exercises do not effectively treat your symptoms. What can you do when traditional treatments for bladder problems fail or are intolerable? Never despair. Instead, just visit a competent urologist to administer InterStim therapy.

What is InterStim Therapy?

Also called Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS), InterStim is a reversible therapy for treatment of urinary incontinence, urgency (frequency), urinary retention and overactive bladder. It involves implanting an InterStim device (neurostimulator) into the skin in order to send mild electrical pulses to the sacral nerves (nerves located above the tailbone) which control the bladder and muscles associated with urinary function. As a result, the electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves promotes communication between the brain and bladder, improves bladder control functions and eliminates symptoms of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.

Effective for Both Men and Women

Many people tend to consider InterStim therapy as an exclusive treatment for women with bladder control problems. In truth, however, the therapy is also ideal for men who have failed medications, experience serious adverse effects with bladder medications or do not like using catheters to empty their bladder. Incontinence is a common problem affecting both men and women and any person experiencing the problem can explore InterStim therapy as an effective and convenient option regardless of their sex.

How is the Procedure Performed?

InterStim therapy is a two-stage process involving minimally invasive testing (test stimulation) and the eventual placement of the InterStim device. The urologist conducts the non-invasive test to determine the possible response to the actual device while allowing patients to see if InterStim would be appropriate for them. After successful testing, the InterStim device is placed using a minimally invasive technique in which small and inconspicuous incisions are made on the skin.

InterStim improves the quality of life and will help you to return to your normal life quickly with no more worries of accidental urine leaks. Doctors at St Pete Urology have conducted hundreds of InterStim therapy since the device was approved by the FDA. We help both men and women regain their confidence and dignity. For more information on treatment of bladder control problems, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

What is The Prostate and Prostate Enlargement?

The prostate gland (commonly called prostate) is a small, chestnut-sized organ in men located beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum (back passage). The urethra, the tube that passes urine from the bladder to the penis, runs through the prostate. By producing a fluid called prostatic fluid that makes up around 15-30 percent of the total volume of semen, the prostate plays a significant role in the function and viability of sperm cells and is critical for a man’s fertility.

Prostatic fluid contains citric acid, zinc, spermine and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which protect and enrich sperm and reduces acidity of the vaginal canal. Muscles of the prostate usually press into the urethra during ejaculation, helping sperm to move through the urethra.

What is prostate enlargement?

While the prostate is usually a small gland, it typically grows bigger with age. In fact, from birth to early 20s, the prostate grows by around 8 times its initial size. Then from around the age of 25 to early 50s the prostate doubles in size and continues to grow gradually. It is this second phase of growth of the gland which, in later years, results in a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

As the prostate grows larger, it causes the muscles at the base of the bladder to become thicker and pressures the urethra to become narrower. By squeezing the urethra more tightly, the enlarged prostate makes it difficult to urinate. The bladder also may become more sensitive, causing a need to pass urine more frequently and suddenly. In some cases, prostate enlargement may cause a blockage that triggers repeated urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, and acute urinary retention (sudden inability to pass urine).

How common is prostate enlargement?

Although prostate growth continues almost throughout a man’s life, the resulting enlargement does not usually cause serious problems until late in life. An enlarged prostate hardly causes symptoms before the age of 40, but some symptoms occur in half of men in their 60s and in up to 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s. In the United States, as many as 14 million men experience lower urinary tract problems related to benign prostatic hyperplasia while at least 400,000 annual hospital stays involve a diagnosis of prostate enlargement.

You are more likely to have BPH if:

  • You are 40 or older.
  • You have a family history of BPH.
  • You lack physical exercise.
  • You have erectile dysfunction.
  • You have medical conditions like type-II diabetes, obesity, circulatory and heart disease.


Common symptoms of prostate enlargement include:

  • Urinating 8 or more times a day (urine frequency).
  • Inability to delay urination (urine urgency).
  • Trouble starting to urinate.
  • A weak or interrupted urine stream.
  • Inability to empty your bladder completely (urine retention).
  • Dribbling at the end of urination.
  • Accidental leakage of urine (urinary incontinence).
  • Pain during urination or after ejaculation.
  • Unusual color or smell of urine.
  • Blood in urine.

Most of these symptoms are not specific to benign prostatic enlargement and may be caused by bladder problems, prostatitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or a more serious problem such as prostate cancer. Therefore, men with such symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis and treatment of prostate enlargement

When you visit a GP or a specialist such as urologist, various steps will be taken to determine the cause of your symptoms. The doctor will take your medical, personal and family history, ask questions about the symptoms and their effect on your life and conduct a physical examination to check the size, feel and shape of your prostate. The urologist also may request tests such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and ultrasound scan to rule out any serious complications.

There are many treatment options for BPH. For instance, the doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, bladder training exercises or medications (such as muscle relaxants and hormone blockers). The doctor also may perform surgery to correct the problem.

At St. Pete Urology, we have a highly skilled team of urologists with a great deal of experience diagnosing and treating BPH and other urinary problems. We fix these issues quickly, safely and effectively, helping you to resume your normal life and activities. For more information on treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, visit the site, St Pete Urology.

Causes of Kidney Stones and Treatment Options

The United States has been experiencing a rise in the number of people with kidney stones over the last 30 years. While less than 4 percent of the population had the disease in the late 1970s, the portion of the population with the disease increased to over 5 percent by the early 1990s, and today 1 in 11 Americans has kidney stones. The stones occur more frequently in men than women, with Caucasians being more prone to developing the stones than African Americans.

The prevalence of the stones increases dramatically as men reach their 40s and continues to increase into their 70s. But for women, the occurrence of the stones peaks in their 50s. After a person gets more than one stone, the chance of other stones developing increases radically.

What causes kidney stones?

The major cause of kidney stones is a lack of fluids in the body, which allows minerals and salts to concentrate and crystallize over weeks or months to form the stones. Most often, the stones result from a build-up of certain chemicals in the body, such as ammonia, calcium, uric acid or cysteine. You are more likely to have kidney stones if you do not drink enough fluids.

It is also believed that high-oxalate foods such as spinach, peanuts, sweet potatoes, chocolate, okra, black Indian tea, wheat germ, beets and rhubarb, may increase the risk of developing kidney stones. In the South, often referred to as the stone belt, people tend to be dehydrated in the summer and drink a lot of tea, increasing the chances of developing stones.

You are also more likely to have kidney stones if you:

  • Are between 30-50 years old
  • Have a family history of kidney stones
  • Have hypercalciuria (unusually high amounts of calcium in urine).
  • Are taking certain medicines, such as diuretics (like triamterene) or protease inhibitors (like indinavir)
  • Are taking too much antacids, calcium, vitamin C or vitamin D supplements.
  • Have metabolic syndrome (a combination of many heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure, high sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels and obesity)
  • Have a condition such as hyperthyroidism, gout or high blood pressure
  • Have cystitis
  • Have a condition that affects the structure or shape of your ureters or kidneys

Even though small kidney stones are often asymptomatic and may pass with little or no pain, large stones that block the urine’s path may cause severe symptoms. These could include sharp pain in the lower back or abdomen, painful urination, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, blood in urine, and abnormally colored urine. It is important to visit your urologist if you experience such symptoms. The urologist will order blood and urine tests and imaging, and recommend appropriate treatment.

At St Pete Urology in St. Petersburg, we use minimally-invasive techniques and have a wide array of treatment options for kidney stones. If you think you may have kidney stones or have questions about the condition, visit the St Pete Urology website.