Urinary incontinence can be a frustrating and embarrassing issue for many patients, but help is available. The first step in treating your incontinence is making an appointment with a urologist for diagnosis. There are several different kinds of incontinence, and the kind you have will dictate the best treatment approach. Here is a look at some of the most common forms of urinary incontinence.

Stress Incontinence

If you experience urine leakage when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise, you may have stress incontinence . This type of incontinence occurs when the pelvic floor muscles become weakened, allowing the pressure on your bladder to increase. Childbirth is the most common culprit behind pelvic floor muscle damage, but obesity and certain medications can also play a role. In addition, men may experience stress incontinence after prostate surgery.

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence is also referred to as overactive bladder, or OAB. It is typically caused by nerve damage to the bladder or other parts of the nervous system or by muscle damage and is most common in people with conditions that affect the nerves, like diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Bladder infections can also be a trigger. With urge incontinence, you will feel a frequent urge to use the bathroom and may not be able to control your bladder and make it in time.

Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Not everyone with urinary incontinence has just one form. Women in particular are likely to have both stress and urge incontinence. With mixed incontinence, your urologist may combine different treatments to resolve all of your symptoms.

If you are living with incontinence, start a conversation with a urologist at Urology Associates, P.C. today. There are a wide variety of treatments that can help you overcome your incontinence and reclaim your confidence. To learn more incontinence treatment options or to schedule an appointment, please call (888) 329-7700.

Vaginismus can be a significant sexual health problem for women that can impact their relationships and self-esteem. With vaginismus, the muscles in the vagina tighten or spasm upon penetration, such as during sexual intercourse or when using a tampon. Although vaginismus can be frustrating, treatment is possible. Here is what you need to know if you are suffering from this type of sexual dysfunction.

What Are the Symptoms?

Painful sexual intercourse is the most common symptom of vaginismus . The pain may subside after penetration or may persist. The pain may feel like a blockage or as though the skin is tearing. Often, women who are suffering from vaginismus have difficulty using a tampon and during pelvic exams. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to determine the exact cause, as infections and other sexual health problems can cause similar symptoms.

What Is the Cause?

There is no single cause of vaginismus. Women who experience it often have anxiety about being sexually active; however, doctors are unsure whether the symptoms of vaginismus have triggered the anxiety or if anxiety causes vaginismus to occur. Determining the source of anxiety can be helpful during treatment.

What Treatments Are Available?

Start by making an appointment with a sexual health expert. He or she can determine the best treatment approach for you. Doing Kegel exercises, in which you learn to control the vaginal muscles, can be helpful. Your doctor may suggest inserting a finger into your vagina while doing the exercises. For anxiety associated with sexual intercourse, therapy may also help alleviate some of the symptoms.

At Urology Associates, our men’s and women’s health clinics help patients find solutions for sexual dysfunction in Tennessee, including erectile dysfunction and vaginismus. Take the first step towards reclaiming your sexual health today by making an appointment with one of our experts. Call (888) 329-7700 to schedule your visit.

At Urology Associates’ WISH—Women’s Institute for Sexual Health—we diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders that interfere with intimate relationships. Up to 43 percent of women will experience some form of sexual dysfunction in their lives, from hypoactive sexual disorder, in which there is an absence of sexual desire, to dyspareunia, or pain during intercourse.

Noncoital pain disorder is similar to dyspareunia, except that it refers to genital pain that occurs during non-intercourse sexual stimulation. There can be several different causes of noncoital pain disorder, ranging from infection to anxiety about sexual relationships. For patients experiencing this kind of pain, providers will work to determine the root cause of the problem before determining the right treatment approach. Some potential treatments for noncoital pain disorder include anesthetic creams, tricyclic antidepressants, and therapy.

Pain does not have to be an obstacle for healthy sexual relationships for women. Make an appointment with a WISH physician at Urology Associates by calling (888) 329-7700. In addition to addressing sexual health issues for women, our urologists can also provide care for sexual health in Tennessee for man, including treatments for erectile dysfunction.

Finding out that you have kidney cancer can be overwhelming. By working closely with your urologist on understanding your disease and developing a cancer treatment plan, you will feel more in control of your health and outlook. In this video, Dr. David Morris of Urology Associates in Tennessee explains the basics of kidney cancer.

Typically, kidney cancer is indicated by the presence of solid masses on the kidneys. It does not respond to chemotherapy and is usually surgically treated. If the cancer has spread, further treatment may be necessary.

If you are concerned about kidney cancer in Tennessee, make an appointment with one of our urologists today. We treat a range of issues, from urologic cancers to erectile dysfunction. To schedule a consultation, call Urology Associates at (888) 329-7700.

Erectile dysfunction can be a difficult issue for men to talk about, but in reality, it is an extremely common condition. Up to 5 percent of men over age 40 and 25 percent of men over age 65 experience this sexual health problem . The good news for men living with erectile dysfunction is that treatment is available as long as you consult with your doctor. Here are some tips for starting the conversation.

List Your Symptoms

Since erectile dysfunction can have many different causes, your doctor will pay close attention to the symptoms in order to make a diagnosis. Because it may be difficult to recall all of the important information your doctor needs, write down your symptoms before you go so you can report them accurately. Include details about times you experienced erectile dysfunction and your mood, eating and drinking habits, and overall health when incidences occur. It may help you to track your symptoms for a few weeks to identify any patterns.

Bring a List of Medications

Often, medications can be to blame for erectile dysfunction. Bring a list of all current medications and doses, including vitamins and over-the-counter medications, to your appointment. By reviewing this list, your urologist can determine if medications could be contributing to your symptoms and offer suggestions for alternative medicines that have a lower risk of side effects.

Be Honest and Direct

Try to dismiss any concerns you have about discussing erectile dysfunction with your doctor. Millions of men have the same conversation each year, and you won’t be the first to approach your doctor for help. Answer your doctor’s questions honestly and be direct about the questions you have. The more information you give your doctor, the better able he or she will be to provide effective treatment.

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction in Tennessee, schedule a consultation with a urologist at Urology Associates for treatment by calling (888) 329-7700. Our doctors provide help for a wide range of sexual dysfunction issues for both men and women with cutting-edge treatments and compassionate care.