What Does A Urologist Do?

If you have never been to a urologist, you may feel uneasy about your first visit. You may be seeing the urologist about a very awkward and distressing condition. In truth, though, there is no reason really to worry or feel squeamish. Urologists make every effort to keep their patients at ease and as comfortable as possible. So you can be sure that you’ll meet warm, friendly and candid professionals in the urologist office, be handled with respect, courtesy and friendliness, and have your problem solved.

Who is a urologist?

Urologists are physicians with specialization in diseases of the genitourinary tract — urinary bladder, kidneys, urethra, male reproductive organs, adrenal glands and urethra. In men, urologists tackle disorders of the prostate, penis, epididymis, testes and seminal vesicles and help resolve male sexual dysfunction and infertility. But most routinely, they see both men and women for various reasons, including recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, kidney disease, renal transplants, urologic cancers, bladder prolapse, enlarged prostate, urethra stricture, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, painful bladder syndrome, ureteral and kidney stones, and prostatitis. They also may see children with urological problems that are too complex to be handled by non-specialized pediatricians.

Prostate and bladder cancer

For most men, a visit to the urologist is often associated with the prostate exam. The exam is quite a crucial part of assessing the overall prostate health and enables the urologist to plan well for treatment of any prostate problems. But the prostate exam is no longer at the heart of every urologist visit and you now can see a urologist and leave without being examined. In fact, with increased use of PSA tests to screen for prostate cancer, the exams are now just performed when very crucial. You shouldn’t avoid those necessary visits to a urologist merely because you don’t like prostate and rectal exams.

Remember also that if after testing you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your urologist can help by offering timely, lifesaving care. Actually, because the physician can detect and help you recover from a disease that can potentially incapacitate you and reduce your joy of life and the time you spend with your family and your loved ones, it’s very important to visit a urologist whenever you are directed to do so.

Urologists use some of the best medical techniques and technologies to deliver safe, painless and effective treatment for urologic cancers. For example, if your urologist opts for robotic surgery then you will not be in the hospital for more than a week after a kidney, prostate or bladder cancer surgery. Most likely, you will take only a few days, even a single day — leaving soon after procedure. That’s fast and convenient, indeed. So you shouldn’t suffer in silence and have your prostate cancer spread to other areas of the body just because you believe the treatment will be painful, uncomfortable or inconvenient.

Prostate enlargement

If you have had to habitually wake up at night to pass urine and always find it difficult to produce a steady, quick urine stream as you once did, you probably have an enlarged prostate and a urologist can help you overcome the condition. This specialist doctor is quite similar to that neighborhood plumber you call to your home when pipes are clogged. So when you visit a urologist, are examined and found to have an enlarged prostate, the doctor will use a number of techniques such as laser therapy and steam treatment to remove the pressure on your bladder and obstruction on your urethra, relieving your urinary symptoms. And you can return home the same day you undergo treatment.

Erectile dysfunction

As men get older, they may experience erectile dysfunction. In fact, for men in their 40s or 50s, erections aren’t what they once were. So what should you do when you have issues with your erections? Well, one great option — a visit to a specialist who can identify the cause of your erectile problems and provide effective treatment. And that’s a urologist — a physician with training and experience in treating erectile dysfunction and male infertility issues. Since erectile dysfunction also may indicate that you have health problems in other areas of your body which may require more careful attention, a visit to a urologist can help detect a more serious disease and save your life.

Kidney stones

The pain and discomfort of a major kidney stone is something you may never forget. But with a visit to a urologist, kidney stones of all sizes can be broken down and removed from your system. A urologist sees such cases routinely, knows exactly what to do and will help you find quick relief from the pain and discomfort of the stones. And since kidney stones may recur, you will require the long-term care and well-coordinated follow-up provided by urologists. The urologist will recommend effective ways you can use to prevent kidney stones and manage any painful stones you may develop. That means you can rest easy before or after you have kidney stones knowing that you have an expert to help you deal with such troubles. So if you suspect that you have or are at risk of kidney stones, visit a urologist for proper examination and treatment.

What if you are a woman?

Urologists see women too and there is no discrimination in terms of sex. In fact, because kidney stones and bladder problems can occur in both men and women, the doors of all urologists are always open for both sexes. Nevertheless, about two-thirds of all patients seen by urologists are still men because of the lower awareness levels among women on how these specialist physicians can help them. Likewise, visits to urologists are generally practice-specific and vary according to a doctor’s area of specialty training.

While it doesn’t really matter whether you see a male or female urologist — as the quality of care will be the same — some women prefer to be treated by female urologists while some men prefer seeing male urologists. That’s just a matter of choice and you are encouraged to see the urologist you feel most comfortable with. But as you do so, remember that all urologists are focused on holistic care, effective treatment, superb outcomes and improved quality of life for all. So even if you are a guy who is generally bashful when around females, you shouldn’t fear seeing a female urologist, for whatever condition you have isn’t something the female urologist hasn’t seen before. Don’t suffer in silence because you are anxious about being attended to by a urologist of opposite gender.

What of pain?

Pain isn’t part of the treatment process. So every time you see a urologist for a procedure, you should expect the use of an anesthetic to prevent pain and keep you comfortable. For instance, before undergoing a bladder scope, you’ll be numbed first; while the first step during a vasectomy is the injection of a nice, healthy-sized local anesthesia. Similarly, before a prostate biopsy, a prostate block is done. Whereas you may feel things moving around or some pressure during a procedure, you should not feel pain. And the point here is that you should know urologists are there to help you deal with inconveniencing problems, such as sexual function issues, urinary problems, cancer or kidney stones. But when doing so, they endeavor to keep you as comfortable as possible, aiming to eventually improve your quality of life.

Friendly, compassionate care

Urologists are skilled and experienced in treating problems that people are often unwilling to talk about or which are found in body areas that people find difficult to discuss. So your urologist knows that you are already distressed, embarrassed and feel awkward about your condition even before you visit, and has already taken steps to make you feel as comfortable as possible. By being frank and friendly throughout the treatment process, with humor coming in handy to help lighten the mood around your discussions, the doctor will ensure that you feel at home as your problem is tackled. Hence, don’t be surprised when some “potty” humor is thrown your way during your chat with the urologist.

Well, that’s it. There is nothing to dread or feel restless about in seeing a urologist. In fact, you will find a long-term friend who will help you overcome troubling urological issues and improve your quality of life. At St Pete Urology, we have a big pool of skilled, experienced, board-certified urologists to help you find relief from embarrassing and distressing genitourinary problems, such as kidney stones, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate. And we have a culture of collaborative, compassionate, patient-centered care that helps us deliver the high-quality of treatment and care we promise our patients. Find out more about our services by visiting the “St Pete Urology” site.

Early Signs of an Enlarged Prostate

As you grow older, your prostate also grows and swells. But if it becomes very large, it can lead to a condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which simply means your prostate has grown too large though not cancerous. Usually called an enlarged prostate, BPH is a frequent condition in men, especially those in their 50s or older. It is primarily caused by excess DHT, an extremely powerful form of testosterone which triggers aggressive multiplication of prostate cells. Recent studies also indicate that excessive estrogen in the body plays a role in the overgrowth of the prostate.

How can you know that you have an enlarged prostate?

Located right next to the bladder, the prostate is a tiny, walnut-sized gland that’s vital for the normal functioning of the male reproductive system. It is wrapped around the urethra (the tube that takes urine away from the bladder) and significantly influences how the urethra transports both sperm and semen. As the prostate grows and swells, it puts a lot of pressure on the bladder and can obstruct urine flow through the urethra, resulting in various urinary issues.

If you have an enlarged prostate, you will:

  1. Find it difficult to urinate.
  2. Experience dribbling after urinating.
  3. Feel the need to urinate frequently, often at night.

The early warning signs of BPH include:

1. Weak or slow urination

As your prostate enlarges, it puts pressure on your urethra and bladder, interrupting urine flow, resulting in either a weak flow or a prolonged stay in the bathroom. This is a very early and most common sign of BPH, and you’ve probably heard older men joke about how long they take to urinate. So when you have an enlarged prostate, urine does not exit normally and the resulting stream is quite weak.

2. Leaking of urine

Those embarrassing wet spots on your pants may just be the warning that you have an enlarged prostate. Why? Because a swollen prostate not only makes it difficult to urinate, but also makes it harder to retain urine in your bladder, resulting in urine leakage. The enlarged prostate also puts a lot of pressure both on your urethra and on your bladder and compromises your normal ability to hold urine.

3. Straining when urinating

Normal urination requires no effort. So if you find yourself groaning and suffering every time you are in the urinal, it may indicate that your prostate is clamping hard on your urethra.

4. Waking up several times at night to urinate

An enlarged prostate also puts extra pressure on the bladder, producing a sensation that the bladder is full even when it really isn’t. Thus waking up often at night to pass urine may indicate that you have BPH.

5. High PSA during a blood test

While prostate-specific antigen is produced in small quantities in men with healthy prostate glands and plays the critical role of liquefying semen by breaking down large seminal proteins, high levels of PSA may indicate that you have an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Make sure that you speak with a doctor if a test shows that you have high PSA in your blood.

6. Sexual dysfunction

BPH can trigger erectile dysfunction and difficulty with ejaculation by applying extreme pressure on the urethra (which transports both urine and semen) and reducing your sexual function. So if you are finding it difficult to have an erection or ejaculation, you should see your doctor for an examination to identify the problem. It may just be an enlarged prostate.

How can a urologist help?

When you experience the warning signs, you need to see your doctor to determine if you have an enlarged prostate. If an examination establishes that you have BPH, the urologist will recommend the right treatment. The most common approaches to treating BPH include:

1. Watchful waiting (active surveillance): If during assessment it is found that your symptoms are mild and not very troublesome, the urologist may recommend that you wait for a while before you commence treatment. Your symptoms will be monitored during this period to see if they are getting worse and require intervention. Your doctor will determine how frequent you need to go for checkup. The treatment can be started later if the symptoms worsen.

2. Medications: Your urologist may recommend medicines for shrinking the prostate gland or to relax the muscles around the gland in order to reduce or relieve symptoms. Make sure to speak with your doctor about possible side effects of these medicines.

3. Surgery: If medicines fail, the urologist may suggest that you undergo surgery to help improve urine flow. Different types of surgical procedures can be used, so talk to your doctor about the right option for you and about the risks involved. After surgery, regular medical checkups are very important.

4. Other treatments: To reduce the extra prostate tissue and relieve urinary problems associated with BPH, treatments such as microwaves, lasers or radio waves may be considered.

Want to know more about the health issues associated with the prostate, their diagnosis and treatment? Or you suspect that you have a prostate problem and want to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced urologist? Get all the information and help you need today by visiting the “St Pete Urology” site.

What is BPH

Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPH) is an age-related, non-cancerous growth of the prostate. BPH is a common condition, particularly in older men. In fact, almost every man will suffer from the symptoms of the condition at some point after the age of 40; with more than 70 percent of men over 60 having symptoms of BPH while 90 percent of men over 85 years have the condition. As the prostate gets larger, it presses hard on the urethra causing urethra blockage and bothersome urinary symptoms. However, BPH is not cancer and does not make a man more likely to get prostate cancer.

Phases of prostate growth

Located in front of the rectum and between the penis and the bladder, the prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that secretes the prostatic fluid, one of the key components of semen. Typically, the prostate goes through two major growth phases during a man’s lifetime. The first growth phase takes place during puberty when the prostate usually doubles in size. Beyond puberty, often at around the age of 25, the prostate begins to grow again and continues to do so for the rest of life in many men. This continuous growth is what leads to BPH and makes the condition quite frequent in older men. BPH does not occur in men until the second phase of prostate growth when the gland begins to press on the urethra and causes urinary problems.

Causes of BPH

As a man gets older, the balance between self-proliferation of cells and cell-death becomes harder to maintain due to changes in hormone levels (androgens), cell-to-cell communication (cell signaling pathways) and growth factors. The cells of the prostate multiply rapidly and form microscopic nodules, which then continue to grow. The abnormal and uncontrolled increase in the number of prostate cells is called hyperplasia. The microscopic nodules increase in mass and volume, resulting in an enlarged prostate. This abnormal growth occurs in the transitional zone around the urethra and is characterized by increase in size without becoming cancerous.

Symptoms of BPH

As the prostate increases in size, it begins to squeeze more tightly on the urethra. This makes it difficult for the bladder to fully compensate for the resulting pressure and reduces its ability to empty completely. Urine flow problems may result, including:

  1. Difficulty starting urination.
  2. Dribbling of urine, often after urinating.
  3. Weak urine stream (peeing in stops and starts).

As the urethra is squeezed by the enlarged prostate, it becomes difficult for the bladder to push out urine. Over time, the bladder muscles are weakened as they push harder to empty urine. This in turn makes it more difficult for the bladder to empty, resulting in:

  1. Frequency, urinating too often, typically eight or more times per day.
  2. Incontinence, lack of control over when to pass urine.
  3. Urgency, sudden need to urinate.
  4. Nocturia, waking up several times each night to pass urine.
  5. Urinary retention, a sense that you are not fully emptying your bladder.
  6. Urine leakage.

In some cases, BPH may lead to backing up and stagnation of urine, which may in turn result in bladder stones, recurring urinary tract infections, bladder divericulae and kidney or bladder damage. The condition also may lead to a sudden inability to pass urine (acute urinary retention), a very painful medical emergency requiring urgent drainage.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Symptoms of BPH vary from person to person. Some men with the condition have few or no issues while others experience severe symptoms. Generally, treatment for BPH may be optional when the symptoms are mild and no complications exist. So if the symptoms do not bother you enough to take medications or go through a procedure for it, then you may only need to speak with your doctor to make sure that your symptoms are stable and your bladder empties well. However, if you experience complications such as a burning sensation when urinating, bladder pain when urinating, blood in urine accompanied by chills and fever or nausea and vomiting, acute urinary retention or lower back pain, then you must seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment for BPH

There are many treatment options for BPH. If you are diagnosed with this condition, talk to your doctor to find out the right treatment for you. The most common treatments include medications (such as alpha reductase inhibitors), UroLift System treatment, thermotherapies (using heat energy such as radiofrequency or microwave), laser resection and transurethral resection. The treatment recommended by your doctor will depend on the severity of your symptoms, the extent to which the symptoms affect your life and the presence of other medical disorders.

Looking for the best urology center for safe and effective treatment? At St Pete Urology, we have built a reputation for exceptional and excellent diagnosis and treatment of BPH and other urological conditions using medical and surgical interventions. Through our skillful and experienced urologists, nurses and technicians, we deliver comprehensive, compassionate and patient-centered treatment and care to all our patients. We use state-of-the-art surgical and medical techniques to deliver timely, safe and effective treatment. For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of BPH and other urological disorders, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

Prostate Enlargement BPH

Prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a medical condition characterized by increase in the size of the prostate gland without becoming cancerous. So the prostate grows bigger but the cells do not become cancerous. The prostate is an essential organ in the male reproductive system, secreting the prostate fluid that forms part of semen. In childhood, the prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland and maintains this size up to puberty. During early puberty, the prostate undergoes the first phase of growth which doubles its size. Later on, at about age 25, the prostate starts to undergo a second phase of growth which continues for the rest of a man’s life. It is during this second phase of growth that benign prostatic enlargement (BPH) occurs.

How prostate size varies with age

By the age of 20, average males have a walnut-sized prostate and very few prostate-related health concerns. However, around 40, many men begin to experience issues related to prostate enlargement. By the age of 50, around 50 percent of all men have health concerns related to BPH. And at 60 and beyond, the prostate continues to grow and press against the urethra, reducing the size of the urethra and obstructing the flow of urine. Men in their 60s may experience mild inconvenience or serious lifestyle disruptions such as lack of sleep due to difficult or frequent nighttime urination as pressure is applied on the bladder and urethra by the inflamed prostate. By the age of 80, around 80 percent of men experience symptoms of prostate enlargement. In fact, the symptoms are so common beyond the age of 80 that almost all men will experience them if they live long enough.

Symptoms of prostate enlargement

As the prostate increases in size, it presses against the urethra and causes the size of the urethra to reduce. The narrowing of the urethra causes the bladder to thicken, weaken and lose the ability to empty fully, resulting in urinary retention. The urinary retention in the bladder and the tightening of the urethra causes several urinary tract problems, such as:

  1. Difficulty in starting a urine stream.
  2. Difficulty emptying the bladder.
  3. Urinary urgency, being unable to delay urination.
  4. Urinary frequency, passing urine eight or more times per day.
  5. Nocturia, passing urine during periods of night sleep.
  6. Interrupted or weak urine stream.
  7. Dribbling after passing urine.
  8. Pain during urination or after ejaculation.
  9. Urinary incontinence, accidental loss of urine.
  10. Unusual smell or color of urine.

Treatment of prostate enlargement

The right treatment for benign prostate enlargement varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of the symptoms, the extent to which the symptoms affect a man’s life, presence of other medical conditions and the patient’s preferences. A man may not need treatment for a mild prostate enlargement unless he has bothersome symptoms that are affecting the quality of his life. However, in cases where no treatment is administered, regular checkups are recommended.

If the benign prostatic hyperplasia is causing severe, bothersome symptoms or presents a serious health risk, then the urologist would recommend treatment, such as medications (using alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors or combination medications), minimally-invasive procedures (like transurethral needle ablation, transurethral microwave thermotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, transurethral electro-vaporization, water-induced thermotherapy or prostatic stent insertion) and surgery (transurethral resection, laser surgery, transurethral incision or prostatectomy) for long-term treatment.

Are you a man age 40 or older who is worried about your risk of prostate enlargement? Would you like a session with some of the best, world-renowned urologists to help you find relief from your prostate enlargement symptoms? At St Pete Urology, we have tailored our urology services to meet the diverse needs of our patients. We have assembled a great team of urologists, nurses and technologists to help us deliver prompt, safe and effective treatment of urological disorders. We use the latest technology and techniques to guarantee utmost convenience, safety, comfort and efficacy of all our procedures. Visit us today for help with your BPH symptoms. For more information on the diagnosis, treatment and care for prostate enlargement, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

BPH: Can Green Tea Cure It?

For men, living long enough means you are going to have problems with your prostate. While the prostate is typically a small, walnut-sized gland in young males, it undergoes two phases of growth later on in life which often result in urinary problems. The first phase of growth occurs during puberty and usually doubles the size of the gland, while the second phase of growth begins at around 25 and continues for the rest of your life leading to benign prostatic enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). More than 50 percent of men have BPH by the age of 60 and experience urinary difficulties. Although prescription medications are commonly used to treat BPH, herbal supplements may provide much needed relief during the initial stages of the condition. One such herbal solution is green tea.

Green Tea Ingredients

Green tea is not only the second most popular beverage across the globe, but also a pleasant alternative to soft drinks and coffee. It contains potent polyphenols, catechins with anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties. The active ingredients in green tea include gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and epigallocatechin (EGC), among other polyphenols. The polyphenol known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is effective in reducing the overproduction of cells common in BPH and in preventing the onset of prostatic enlargement. Other specific polyphenols found in green tea can treat the symptoms and eradicate various causes of BPH, making green tea invaluable for managing the condition alongside lifestyle changes, medications and other interventions.

Can Green Tea Cure BPH?

Green tea contains antioxidants that reduce the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that promotes the growth of the prostate. A reduction in the levels of DHT lowers the risk of developing an enlarged prostate. The catechins in green tea regulate the secretion of DHT and PSA, promoting normal prostate size and volume and reducing the risk of BPH. Likewise, the catechins in green tea have demonstrated efficacy in relieving urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, nighttime urination and problems with urinary flow. Improved urine flow, relief of annoying urinary symptoms and reduced prostatic inflammation lead to a higher quality of life. Besides, the catechins in green tea can kill certain viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections that may occur in men with enlarged prostate.

Factors Affecting the Efficacy of Green Tea

The strength and effectiveness of green tea depend on the amount of the tea consumed. Studies have shown that men who take large quantities of green tea regularly enjoy more prostate health benefits from the tea than those who take the tea occasionally or in small amounts. The amount of catechins in green tea also depends on where the plants are grown, how the tea leaves are harvested and how the leaves are processed. For instance, Japanese green teas usually have greater quantities of catechins than Chinese teas, with slight differences within specific groups. Remember that the power of green tea comes from the fact that its leaves are not oxidized and are able to retain essential substances such as the catechins that promote both general health and prostate health.

Consult with your doctor before using green tea to improve your prostatic health. Remember that taking herbal supplements without guidance from a qualified health professional may cause problems in your body. At St Pete Urology, we are committed to safe and effective treatment of BPH and other urological issues. We have assembled a team of highly trained and experienced surgeons to help us deliver leading-edge urological care for the best possible outcomes. Our comprehensive, multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach and a dedication to adopting new medical technologies as soon as they are available guarantee state-of-the-art treatment for all our patients. For more information on diagnosis and treatment of BPH, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

What is the best medicine for enlarged prostate?

Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have increased significantly in recent years. A few years ago, men suffering from BPH only had surgery as the main treatment option. This has changed as drug-makers have developed a number of drugs to offer more choices for alleviating the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. In fact, medicines now have become the most common treatment method for men with mild-to-moderate BPH. When administered, the drugs can calm bladder and prostate muscles, shrink the prostate, stop prostate growth or relieve symptoms of BPH, such as weak urine streams or the need to urinate several times per day.

Here are some drugs commonly used to treat BPH. Before using any drug, make sure to speak with your doctor to find out which medicine is appropriate for you.

1. Alpha blockers

When diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, your doctor may recommend that you take alpha blockers to ease your symptoms. These drugs relax bladder and prostate muscles and make it easier to pass urine. While they do not alter prostate size, they are effective in promoting urine flow and will prevent the need to urinate frequently or urgently. They work right away so you will not wait too long for the results.
Some alpha blockers that your doctor may suggest include:

  • (a) Doxazosin (Cardura)
  • (b) Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
  • (c) Tamsulosin (Flomax)
  • (d) Silodosin (Rapaflo)
  • (e) Prazosin (Minipress)
  • (f) Terazosin (Hytrin)

Alpha blockers are very effective for men with both BPH and high blood pressure because they remedy both conditions. However, the drugs should not be taken by men planning to go for cataract surgery as they may cause problems during the surgery.
Side effects of alpha blockers include:

  1. Tiredness/fatigue
  2. Fainting
  3. Dizziness
  4. Lightheadedness
  5. Headaches
  6. Low blood pressure

Alpha blockers also can cause retrograde ejaculation, a condition in which sperm moves backward into the bladder instead of moving forward through the penis. While the condition is not harmful, it means that the fluid ejaculated may not contain sperm. Therefore, men with BPH should keep this in mind particularly if they still desire to have children.

2. 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors

In order to prevent the prostate from growing or just to shrink it, the urologist may recommend that you take a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Such drugs stop the body from producing one of the hormones necessary for prostate growth and enlargement. As a result, the drugs improve urine flow and relieve the symptoms of BPH. The 5-ARIs are most effective in men with very large prostates.
The two major 5-alpha reductase inhibitors recommended for BPH are:

  • Dutasteride (Avodart)
  • Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)

Apart from shrinking or stopping the growth of the prostate and relieving BPH symptoms, the 5-ARIs have two other benefits:

  1. They reduce the chances that BPH will result in other complications, like bladder damage.
  2. They eliminate the need for surgery as treatment for BPH.

The full effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may take up to 6 months to be realized. So you must continue taking the medicines for as long as necessary.

Side effects of 5-ARIs

5-alpha reductase inhibitors are not supposed to be used by women. In fact, pregnant women must never be exposed to the drugs as they can cause birth defects in male fetus. Other side effects of 5-ARIs include:

  • (a) Lower sex drive/libido
  • (b) Erectile dysfunction
  • (c) Retrograde ejaculation

Some of these side effects may improve as the body gets used to the drug.
The 5-ARI drugs also may reduce the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA levels are used to screen for prostate cancer, so a drug-induced drop makes it impossible to use the PSA test. It is advisable to have the PSA test done before you start these drugs. The FDA now requires that the labels on 5-ARIs must include a warning that they may increase the risk of having aggressive (high-grade) prostate cancer.

3. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

In some cases of BPH, the urologist may recommend the use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, which are drugs that smooth the muscles of the prostate and bladder and help to relieve BPH symptoms. While there are many types of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, only tadalafil (Cialis) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of BPH. Tadalafil is not prescribed as often as other drugs, but when doctors are dealing with cases in which BPH and ED occur together, then it is often a viable option.
The side effects of Tadalafil include:

  • (a) Headaches
  • (b) Muscle and back pain
  • (c) Stomach upset (after eating)
  • (d) A stuffy nose
  • (e) Vision problems
  • (f) Redness, warmth or burning on the neck, face and upper body

4. Combination therapy

When a doctor realizes that a single medication may not effectively relieve BPH symptoms, a combination of two or more drugs may be considered. The most common drug combinations for treating BPH include:

  • (a) Tamsulosin and Dutasteride, comes in one pill called Jalyn
  • (b) Doxazosin and Finasteride
  • (c) Alpha blocker and an antimuscarinic (a drug for treating overactive bladder)

Drug combinations are generally more effective than single drug treatments. However, the combinations also come with greater side effects than those of single drugs.

Are you or your loved one suffering from the symptoms of BPH? Would you like to receive accurate information and effective treatment for an enlarged prostate? Or do you want someone to to talk to about any other urological problem that you may have? If so, then St Pete Urology is the right place for you. For more information on the diagnosis, treatment and care for BPH, visit the “St Pete Urology site.

Should You Screen for Prostate Cancer?

A visit to St Pete Urology to screen for prostate cancer is also an opportunity to have a variety of health issues resolved. St Pete Urology operates according to the principle that most health issues affecting men are interconnected and can only be treated effectively through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. When you visit our urologists for prostate cancer information, screening, diagnosis and treatment, we extend our role to include screening for signs of mental health disorder, make efforts to influence behavior change and speak with you candidly about psychological and medical care beyond our direct involvement in treatment of urologic disease.

At St Pete Urology, we are committed to safe, holistic and effective care for all our patients. We handle diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer using the latest technological, medical and psychosocial approaches.

Tackling mental health issues during prostate cancer screening

Helping patients with mental health problems is a familiar territory for urologists at St Pete Urology, Fl. For instance, during prostate cancer screening, the urologists also screen for signs of distress, educate patients on their diagnosis, treatment and potential side effects, and provide support through referral to psychosocial services or rehabilitation programs. For men experiencing urinary tract symptoms, the urologist may conduct a functional analysis to assess the effect of the symptoms on everyday activities, recommend practical solutions such as Kegel exercises, and provide psychosocial referrals to help deal with issues related to interpersonal relationships and self-esteem. Working with our urologists not only provides the opportunity to detect and treat urological problems like prostate cancer, but also for early detection and treatment of mental health disorders.

Should you undergo prostate cancer screening?

Prostate cancer is a very common cancer so it is very important to get checked for its presence. While screening tests will not show with certainty that you have cancer, they help to find warning signs and help to detect the cancer when it is still at an early stage, making treatment easier and more effective. If one of the screening tests gives an abnormal result, you will need a biopsy of prostate tissue to confirm whether or not you have cancer. Men who want to be checked are tested using the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the DRE (digital rectal exam).

1. PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) blood test

PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) is an essential substance made by the cells of the prostate, typically by both normal and cancerous cells. It is predominantly found in semen. However, it also may be found in small quantities in blood. The majority of men with no prostate cancer do have PSA levels below 4 nanograms-per-milliliter [abbreviated as ng/mL] of blood. Those with higher PSA readings have a greater likelihood of developing cancer of the prostate.

While the PSA usually goes up beyond 4ng/mL as prostate cancer develops, a reading below 4 is not a guarantee that you do not have the cancer. In fact, about 15 percent of men whose PSA is under 4ng/mL are found to have the cancer upon a biopsy. Similarly, men with PSA between 4 and 10 have 25 percent chance of having the cancer, while those with PSA above 10 have a 50 percent chance of developing prostate cancer. If you have elevated PSA, your urologist may indicate that you either wait for a period of time and you repeat the test or take a prostate biopsy to confirm the cancer.

2. DRE (Digital Rectal Exam)

During a DRE (digital rectal exam), your urologist will insert a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum in order to feel or detect any hard areas, nodules or bumps on your prostate, which may be due to cancer. Prostate cancer usually starts at the back of the prostate and this can be felt through a rectal exam. The DRE may be a bit uncomfortable, particularly for men with hemorrhoids, but it is not usually painful and often takes a very short time. Although the DRE is less accurate than PSA in screening or detecting prostate cancer, its ability to occasionally find cancer in men whose PSA values are normal makes it a vital component of prostate cancer screening.

Making screening decisions

It is important to work closely with your doctor in order to make informed screening decisions. At St Pete Urology, we recommend that men should screen for prostate cancer at:

  1. Age 50 for those men who are at average risk of getting prostate cancer and are still expected to live for more than 10 years.
  2. Age 45 for men who are at high risk of developing prostate cancer, such as African Americans and men whose first-degree relative [father, son or brother] had the cancer before the age of 65 years.
  3. Age 40 for men with even greater risk, especially those who have had more than one first-degree relative get prostate cancer at a very early age.

For more information, visit the “St Pete Urology” site.

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.

2 Effective Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in men in the United States, currently carrying a lifetime risk for diagnosis of around 15.9 percent. In most cases, prostate cancer shows a good prognosis even when not treated, though some may be quite aggressive. Presently, the lifetime risk of death due to prostate cancer is 2.8 percent, and the condition is quite rare in men younger than 50. In fact, very few men die of the cancer before age 60, and more than 70 percent of the deaths due to the cancer occur after age 75.

Even though prostate cancer typically grows very slowly or not at all, it is still advisable to start screening early before the symptoms appear. Early prostate cancer screening may help to discover any aggressive type of the cancer and ensure prompt treatment. Today, there two most effective and recommended tests for screening are prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE).

PSA

All contemporary recommendations for prostate cancer screening incorporate the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in serum because there is convincing evidence that PSA-based screening detects many cases of asymptomatic prostate cancer. Studies also have shown that a vast majority of men who have asymptomatic cancer detected through the PSA test have tumors that either will fail to progress or will grow so slowly that they would have shown no symptoms for the patient’s lifetime. If your PSA level is high, your urologist will recommend either waiting for a period and then repeating the test or doing a prostate biopsy to confirm if you have the cancer. When interpreting your PSA results, your urologist will consider many factors, such as race, age and family history.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

During DRE, the urologist inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any hard areas or bumps on the prostate, which might indicate cancer. The exam may be slightly uncomfortable, but is never painful and just takes a short time. While the digital rectal exam may be less effective than the PSA in detecting prostate cancer, it sometimes can detect cancer in men with normal PSA levels. For this reason it is a critical component of prostate cancer screening.

What next after screening?

PSA and DRE tests are simply used to detect the warning signs of prostate cancer, but in reality they do not actually confirm if you have cancer. If the test results are abnormal, your urologist will use a prostate biopsy for confirmation. If there is cancer, a prostate biopsy also will help determine the aggressiveness and influence the urologist’s decision as to whether or not you need treatment. Not every patient must be treated and those with non-aggressive cancer will just be actively monitored. The decision on whether you get treated is very important and is usually based on results of these tests. For more information on early prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, 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.