Varicoceles are similar to varicose veins, except they affect the scrotum instead of the legs. They occur when the blood that flows through the veins in the scrotum doesn’t move properly and instead backs up, causing bulging blood vessels. In some cases, a varicocele doesn’t cause any symptoms at all, while in other cases, they can cause significant discomfort. If you suspect you have a varicocele, see your urologist as soon as possible. Surgical treatment is usually necessary.

What are the risk factors for varicocele?

There are not any clear-cut risk factors for varicocele, though they seem to be more common in men who are tall and less common in men who are overweight. They are most common in men during puberty, though they can happen at any stage of life.

What are the symptoms?

Some men with varicoceles experience a feeling of heaviness or aching in the testicles after standing for a long period of time. There may be obvious shrinkage of the testicles and enlarged veins may also be visible. Frequently, there are no symptoms at all. Because varicoceles can cause significant problems with fertility, many men find out that they have them in the course of a fertility screening. They may also be diagnosed during a routine physical exam.

What treatments are available?

You may not need treatment for varicoceles if you are not experiencing any symptoms and your fertility is not impaired. If you do require treatment, there are multiple surgical solutions your urologist may recommend. A microsurgical varicocelectomy, during which the veins that are causing problems are closed so that blood flow redirects to other veins, is considered to have the best treatment outcomes. Laparoscopy is another option, but it is considered to have more risks. Percutaneous embolization, in which a coil is inserted into the vein to block it off, is usually only performed if other treatments have failed.

The specialists at Urology Associates, P.C. treat a wide range of men’s health issues, from erectile dysfunction to male infertility in Tennessee . Don’t let varicoceles or sexual health problems impact your life. Call (855) 901-1338 to make an appointment.

There is significant disagreement about which men should be screened for prostate cancer and when these screenings should begin. Screening all men leads to over-diagnosis and over-treatment of prostate cancer, but preventative screenings can be helpful for some men. Your urologist will help you decide what is right for you.

Watch this video to understand how your urologist may decide if prostate cancer screening is right for you. By considering your risk factors, your urologist will determine if you should be screened and when screenings should begin.

At Urology Associates, P.C. , we offer comprehensive care for everything from prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction to kidney stones in Tennessee. To make an appointment with a specialist, call (855) 901-1338.

Sexual dysfunction in men, such as erectile dysfunction, get a lot of attention, but women can suffer from sexual health issues as well. As with men, sexual dysfunction does not have to ruin relationships and destroy self-esteem in women. If you are a woman who is experiencing sexual dysfunction, have a frank conversation with your doctor to learn what your treatment options are. Here is a look at some of the questions women and their partners often have about sexual dysfunction.

What is sexual dysfunction in women?

A number of different symptoms are associated with sexual dysfunction in women. Lack of libido is a common problem for women, as is vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. In some cases, the cause of the sexual dysfunction is purely hormonal. In other cases, other factors can be at play. For instance, recurrent yeast infections that lead to painful intercourse can inadvertently lead to low libido as women become hesitant to be sexually active because of past discomfort. Stress, poor health, and unhealthy relationships can all also impact libido.

At what age do women experience sexual dysfunction?

Many people associate problems with sexual health in women with menopause. Although the risks of low libido and vaginal dryness are higher during menopause because of the significant hormone fluctuations, women of all ages are prone to problems with sexual health. No woman is too old or too young to experience sexual health problems and get help for them.

What treatments are available?

Sometimes, treating an underlying problem that is causing sexual health problems, like persistent yeast infections, can resolve symptoms. Likewise, hormone therapy can also be helpful. Other treatments, like the MonaLisa Touch laser, can reduce vaginal dryness that causes painful intercourse without medications.

Urology Associates, P.C. and our Women’s Institute for Sexual Health (WISH) helps women reverse sexual health problems regardless of age. When you need a urologist in Tennessee for UTI treatment, incontinence, sexual health problems, and more, please call (855) 901-1338.

Difficult urination is a problem that can result from several causes. While aging can affect your ability to urinate, there may be other issues to consider, as well. Difficult urination can be a symptom of some medical conditions, such as urinary incontinence, urethral strictures, and nocturia, so it’s important to be evaluated by a urologist if you’re having this problem.

If you aren’t sure if you’re experiencing difficult urination, then there are several symptoms to keep in mind. A slow or weak urine stream can indicate that you have trouble urinating properly, as can pain in your lower back or abdomen or pain when you urinate. Feeling an increased need to urinate that interferes with your sleep can also be a sign of difficult urination.

At Urology Associates, P.C., our team of skilled doctors can diagnose and treat a broad range of sexual health and urinary tract conditions . If you’re experiencing symptoms of difficult urination, please give us a call today at (855) 901-1338 to make an appointment with one of our urologists in Tennessee.