Men's Health
Urological care for Men's Health addresses diseases and conditions that affect the urinary tract system including reproductive organs.
Prostate Health
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that passes urine and semen from the body. The prostate makes secretions that are important for protecting sperm.
The most common prostate conditions are benign prostate enlargement (BPH), inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), and prostate cancer.
BPH
BPH is the result of benign tissue growth in the prostate. This may result in the following urinary tract symptoms:
- Straining to urinate
- Urgency to urinate
- Urinating often
- A weak urinary stream
- Feeling like you don’t empty your bladder
- Getting up at night (nocturia)
Men who experience problems urinating should be evaluated by their doctor. There are two tests to determine prostate health. These include the digital rectal exam (DRE), as well as a blood test called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate.
Possible signs or symptoms of prostatitis include:
- Frequent or painful urination
- Low back pain
- Bladder pain
- Painful ejaculation
- Scrotal pain
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by an infection in the prostate. Patients with non-bacterial prostatitis have no signs of urinary infection on laboratory testing. The cause of chronic prostatitis remains unclear. Here are some risk factors for developing chronic prostatitis. Chronic prostatitis is often diagnosed by ruling out other causes.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of prostatitis. These symptoms may be intense or may gradually get worse over time. It can become chronic and not go away. Symptoms may recur over time.
The treatment of prostatitis is based on the cause. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial prostatitis. Chronic prostatitis often linked to is often treated with medication to help the prostate or bladder relax, or medication to alleviate burning. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication for your symptoms.
Prostate Cancer
1 in every 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is routinely diagnosed before symptoms develop. Prostate cancer is diagnosed with a prostate biopsy. This is done if a man is found to have a prostate nodule on the exam (DRE) or an abnormal PSA blood test. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African-American men have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are many treatment options:
- Active Surveillance or Watchful Waiting
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Hormone Therapy
- Chemotherapy
Men without these risk factors will benefit most from screening between the ages of 55 and 69. You should speak with your physician to find out the best possible prostate cancer screening strategy for you.