More than half of boys born in the U.S. are circumcised before the parents take them home for the first time. Usually, parents opt for circumcision for religious, cultural, or health reasons. If you weren’t circumcised at birth, you might decide to consider adult circumcision. Talk to a urologist about the potential benefits and risks before deciding if it’s right for you. The potential risks of adult circumcision include infection and bleeding.

There are several benefits to circumcision, but if you aren’t currently experiencing problems, it might not be worth it to have the procedure. The ease of maintaining good hygiene is generally about the same for circumcised and uncircumcised men. However, if you have difficulties with hygiene, your urologist may recommend circumcision. Circumcision is also associated with a lower incidence rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs). It’s possible, though not definitively proven, that circumcision may lead to a lower risk of penile cancer.

If you’d like to speak with a urologist in Tennessee about adult circumcision , you can call (888) 329-7700. The team at Urology Associates, P.C. routinely treats men for issues such as sexual dysfunction.

Both men and women have urethras, which are tubes that transport urine out of the body. There are a few medical problems that can affect a man’s urethra, including urethral strictures. A urethral stricture occurs when the urethra becomes abnormally narrow . If you’ve been diagnosed with this painful condition or you suspect you might have symptoms of it, it’s time to make an appointment with a urologist.

Signs and Symptoms

Urethral strictures can be uncomfortable, causing pain of the lower abdomen and pelvic area, along with painful or difficult urination. Other urinary symptoms can include the following:

• Loss of bladder control (incontinence)
• Urinary urgency
• Increased urinary frequency
• Bloody urine
• Dark urine
• Inability to fully empty the bladder
• Weak urine stream

Along with urinary problems, urethral strictures may result in bloody semen, abnormal urethral discharge, and penile swelling.

Causes and Risk Factors

Men may have urethral strictures because of a disease or injury that affects the area. Some people develop scar tissue after undergoing surgery, which can also cause narrowing of the urethra. It’s possible, although not likely, for urethral strictures to be caused by a tumor. Tumors that grow near the urethra can exert pressure on the tube. Other factors that may increase the risk of urethral strictures include recurrent urethritis, pelvic injury, sexually transmitted disease (STD), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate. Additionally, men may have a higher risk of urethral strictures after requiring a urinary catheter or having a cystoscopy.

Treatment Options

In emergency situations, a doctor may place a suprapubic catheter to drain the urine and prevent complications. To treat the underlying cause, it’s possible to widen the urethra during a cystoscopy. The urologist can apply a topical anesthetic before stretching the urethra with a specialized instrument. If this doesn’t work, men may need surgery to correct the problem.

Urology Associates, P.C. is a leading provider of high-quality, patient-focused urology services in Tennessee. Our urologists provide cutting-edge treatments for men with urethral strictures and sexual dysfunction. If your doctor has referred you to a urologist, you can call our office at (888) 329-7700.

Since medications became available to treat low libido, much of the focus on sexual dysfunction has been on male sexual health. But countless women also experience sexual health problems. When you watch this video, you’ll hear from 2 nurse practitioners at the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health (WISH), a division of Urology Associates, P.C.

These ladies explain that almost half of all women in the U.S. experience some type of sexual dysfunction, such as pain during intercourse, vaginal dryness, or low libido. Now, there is finally an FDA-approved medication available to improve sexual health in women. Watch this video to hear about the clinical trials for this medication.

If you would like to speak with a sexual health specialist in Tennessee, you can call (615)250-9265. The WISH clinic at Urology Associates, P.C. provides sensitive, confidential care for women .

It usually takes about six weeks for women to heal from childbirth. Ob/Gyns generally recommend waiting at least this long before having sex. If you’re past this point and intercourse is still painful, your gynecologist may need to evaluate your sexual health. It’s possible that you aren’t fully healed.

In most cases, however, persistently painful sex after childbirth is attributable to vaginal dryness. If you’re breastfeeding, your hormone levels can increase vaginal dryness and cause sexual health problems. The increased level of prolactin can also suppress libido. This sort of sexual dysfunction should be temporary. In the meantime, you can use a lubricant to prevent pain. Choose a glycerin-free lubricant to reduce the risk that the condom will break.

At Urology Associates, P.C. , we understand that women with sexual health issues in Nashville need sensitive, patient-focused care. Contact us at (615)250-9265 to request a confidential appointment with one of our dedicated providers at the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health (WISH).