What is Urology
Urology is a medical specialty that manages conditions such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, stones in the urinary tract, prostate problems in men, and urinary problems in both men and women. Common symptoms of urological problems include abdominal pain, blood in the urine, changes in urinary patterns, loss of appetite and weight. Treatment can be in the form of medications, laser or, as a last resort, surgery. Urological treatments are considered standard medical procedures and most are covered by insurance.
Who is a Urologist?
A urologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system.
Urologists treat a wide range of conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, male infertility and incontinence. They may also provide treatment for conditions related to the female reproductive system, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Symptoms of urology problems can vary depending on the specific condition, but some common signs include:
Pain or burning during urination
Frequent urge to urinate
Blood in the urine
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Pain in the lower back or abdomen
Changes in sexual function
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a urologist for an evaluation. In some cases, these symptoms may indicate a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a treatment that helps people with symptoms of menopause.
Healthcare providers also call it hormone therapy (HT), especially when you receive treatment after age 50. Most often, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the term providers use when you receive the treatment at a younger age, especially before age 40.
How does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) work?
As you approach menopause, your ovaries shrink and stop producing estrogen and progesterone. Not having enough of these hormones in your body is what causes your menopausal symptoms. HRT works by giving you those lost hormones back. But HRT comes with both health benefits and risks, which may be higher in some people. Your healthcare provider can help determine if the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
Benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) compared to traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women.
Bioidentical Hormones (BHRT):
Derived from Natural Sources: BHRT uses hormones derived from naturally-occurring plant molecules (such as yams and soy). These hormones are chemically identical to human hormones.
Exact Match: Because they are an exact match, the body reacts to them as it would to its own hormones.
Lower Breast Cancer Risk: BHRT is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer compared to synthetic alternatives.
Safer Option: It may be a safer option overall, especially in terms of blood clotting.
Traditional Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
Widely Available: Most patients currently opt for traditional HRT, which is widely available and effectively addresses a broad range of hormonal symptoms by mimicking natural hormone effects.
Potential Side Effects: However, traditional HRT may have unwanted side effects, including bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, stomach cramps, and headaches.
Incomplete Symptom Relief: It does not provide complete symptom relief for all patients.
Synthetic and Animal-Derived Hormones: Traditional HRT uses synthetic and animal-derived hormones that closely mimic human hormones.
Comparing the Two:
Side Effects: Evidence suggests that bioidentical hormones may be less likely to cause side effects than their traditional counterparts while providing similar or superior symptom relief.
Personal Choice: The decision between BHRT and traditional HRT is personal. Consider your symptoms, preferences, and potential risks before starting treatment.
Consult with a Healthcare Provider: Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable approach for your specific needs and discuss potential risks.
Remember that individual responses to hormone therapy can vary, and what works best for one person may not be the same for another. It’s essential to have informed discussions with your doctor to make an informed choice.
What is a Vasectomy?
A vasectomy is a small surgical procedure designed to permanently prevent pregnancy. Let’s decide who should consider a vasectomy and the associated pros and cons:
Who Should Consider Vasectomy?
Men Seeking Permanent Contraception: If you’re certain that you don’t want to father any more children, vasectomy is a suitable option.
Couples Who Have Completed Their Family Planning: If you and your partner have decided that your family is complete, vasectomy can be a reliable choice.
Men Who Want a Safe and Effective Method: Vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. It’s a simple daycare procedure with minimal risks.
Pros of Vasectomy:
Permanent Contraception: Vasectomy offers a permanent solution. Once done, you won’t need to worry about contraception.
Highly Effective: Vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of birth control.
Simple Procedure: It’s a minor surgery that can be done as a daycare procedure.
Minimal Recovery Time: Recovery is usually quick, with minimal discomfort.
Cons of Vasectomy:
Irreversibility: Vasectomy is meant to be permanent. Even if you get it reversed, fertility may not fully return. Reversal surgery is complex and expensive.
Possible Risks: While vasectomies are generally safe, there are minor risks such as infection, pain, bleeding, bruising, or swelling after the procedure.
Doesn’t Prevent STDs: A vasectomy won’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Semen can still carry STIs, even without sperm.
Emotional Considerations: Ensure you’re certain about your decision, as it’s irreversible.
Remember to discuss vasectomy thoroughly with your surgeon or urologist provider, make an informed choice
What is a Transurethral Resection of the Prostate(TURP)?
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common surgery that's used to treat urinary problems that are caused by an enlarged prostate.
An instrument called a resectoscope is placed through the tip of the penis. It is then passed through the tube that carries urine from your bladder, called the urethra. The resectoscope helps a surgeon see and trim away extra prostate tissue that's blocking urine flow.
TURP tends to be considered an effective treatment choice for men who have moderate to serious urinary problems that haven't gotten better with medicine.
Other procedures that don't involve surgical cuts also are available to treat an enlarged prostate. Some of them work about as well as TURP. And in general, they cause fewer side effects and have a quicker recovery time.
The TURP procedure takes about 60 to 90 minutes to do. Before surgery you'll be given medicine that keeps you from feeling pain, called anesthesia. You might receive general anesthesia, which also puts you in a sleep-like state. Or you might get spinal anesthesia, which means you'll stay conscious. You also might be given a dose of antibiotics to prevent infection.
TURP helps ease urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including:
Frequent, urgent need to urinate.
Trouble starting urination.
Slow or prolonged urination.
More trips to the bathroom at night.
Stopping and starting again while urinating.
The feeling that you can't fully empty your bladder.
Urinary tract infections.
TURP also might be done to treat or prevent complications due to blocked urine flow, such as:
Repeated urinary tract infections.
Kidney or bladder damage.
Not being able to control urination or to urinate at all.
Bladder stones.
Blood in urine.
Risks of TURP can include:
Short-term trouble urinating. This might last for a few days after the procedure. Until you can urinate on your own, you will need to have a thin, flexible tube called a catheter placed into your penis. It carries urine out of your bladder.
Urinary tract infection. This type of infection can happen after any prostate procedure. It becomes more and more likely the longer you have a catheter in place. Some men who have TURP have repeated urinary tract infections.
Dry orgasm. This is the release of semen during orgasm into the bladder rather than out of the penis. It's a common and long-term effect of any type of prostate surgery. Dry orgasm isn't harmful, and it doesn't tend to affect sexual pleasure. But it can make you less likely to get a female partner pregnant. Another name for it is retrograde ejaculation.
Erectile dysfunction. This is trouble getting or keeping an erection. The risk is very small, but erectile dysfunction can happen after prostate treatments.
Heavy bleeding. Very rarely, men lose enough blood during TURP that they need to receive donated blood through a vein. This is called a blood transfusion. Men with larger prostates seem to be at higher risk of heavy blood loss.
Trouble holding urine. Rarely, loss of bladder control is a long-term side effect of TURP. It's also called incontinence.
Low sodium in the blood, called hyponatremia. Rarely, the body absorbs too much of the fluid used to wash the surgery area during TURP. This can lead to having too much fluid and not enough sodium in the blood. When this happens, it's known as TURP syndrome or transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome. Without treatment, TURPsyndrome can be life-threatening. A technique called bipolar TURP gets rid of the risk of this condition.
Need for re-treatment. Some men need follow-up treatment after TURP. Their symptoms come back or don't get better over time. Sometimes, more treatment is needed because TURP causes the urethra or the bladder neck to narrow, also called a stricture.