Pelvic pain commonly occurs in women; however, it may also affect men. Male pelvic pain typically involves prostatitis, which refers to the inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. This common urological health condition can be troublesome; however, it is not usually associated with prostate cancer and there are treatment options available. Men who suffer from pelvic pain can request a referral to a local urologist to discuss their options.

Additional Symptoms

In addition to pelvic pain, prostatitis can cause symptoms such as painful urination, difficult urination, and frequent urination. Men may feel the urgent need to urinate and they may experience pain of the penis or testicles. The pelvic pain may be accompanied by pain in the abdomen, lower back, and perineum. When prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection, men may suffer from flu-like symptoms. Painful orgasms can also occur.

Possible Causes

Bacterial prostatitis can develop when bacteria present in the urine get into the prostate . Other possible causes of prostatitis include nervous system disorders, immune system disorders, and physical trauma to the pelvic area. Sometimes, it is difficult for the urologist to determine what may have caused prostatitis. Some possible risk factors include engaging in rectal sex, having benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, and having recently used a urinary catheter. Men who are diabetic, those with a suppressed immune system, and those with congenital urinary tract abnormalities are at an increased risk of prostatitis, as are those who have previously been diagnosed with this condition.

Potential Treatment Options

If your urologist determines that the patient has bacterial prostatitis, he or she can prescribe oral antibiotics to treat the problem. Sometimes, men may need intravenous antibiotics and a stay in the hospital. Otherwise, men may find relief of symptoms with anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medications, and lifestyle changes.

Urology Associates, P.C. provides compassionate care for men and women with urology health problems. Men who are experiencing a condition that affects the prostate can give us a call at (888) 329-7700 to schedule an appointment with one of our urologists in Tennessee. Our clinic also provides effective treatment options for urologic cancers and erectile dysfunction.

After menopause, vaginal itching, dryness, and burning are common. These symptoms can lead to painful intercourse for women, who frequently don’t tell their doctors about what they are experiencing. The good news for women is that help is available. The MonaLisa Touch laser can restore your sexual health and confidence in a simple office procedure performed by your urologist.

MonaLisa Touch laser treatment is painless and performed in-office with no anesthesia, side effects, or downtime. Symptom relief occurs after just one treatment, and full results are usually achieved after three treatments. The MonaLisa Touch system triggers a healing response in the vaginal walls that increases moisture levels. This treatment is an ideal alternative to hormone replacement therapy and estrogen creams.

To find out if the MonaLisa Touch laser is right for you, make an appointment with Urology Associates, P.C. at our Women’s Institute for Sexual Health in Nashville . Schedule your appointment today by calling (888) 329-7700.

Many men develop an enlarged prostate as they age, but getting a diagnosis can take time. The more vigilant you are about the symptoms, the more likely you are to get treatment early. If you have any of these signs of an enlarged prostate, make an appointment with a urologist for treatment and to rule out conditions like prostate cancer.

Urination Difficulties

An enlarged prostate can interfere with urine flow by pressing against the urethra. This pressure makes it difficult for urine to move from your bladder out of your body. Initially, you may find that you struggle to begin urinating, and with time, you may find urination is completely restricted. Talk to a urologist if you are having difficulty urinating, because urine retention can lead to dangerous bladder swelling. Other urination problems that are associated with an enlarged prostate include a weak urine stream and nocturia—a condition with which you wake up two or more times per night to urinate.

Urinary Tract Infections

When you are unable to sufficiently empty your bladder, bacteria build up in your system, which can cause a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Having a UTI will exacerbate the other symptoms of an enlarged prostate and cause painful urination. You may also notice blood in your urine or that your urine is cloudy. UTIs can be treated by your urologist with antibiotics.

Bladder Stones

Failing to empty your bladder can also allow minerals in your urine to form crystals called bladder stones. Bladder stones can cause extreme pain and further interfere with your ability to urinate. If you have a small stone, you may be able to flush it out of your system by drinking plenty of water. Your urologist may need to prescribe additional treatments if your stone is large.

The specialists at Urology Associates, P.C. can help you find relief from your enlarged prostate symptoms, including non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures. To make an appointment with a urologist in Nashville, call us today at (888) 329-7700.

Incontinence is a common problem for women. Heavy lifting and childbirth can damage the pelvic muscles and reduce the ability to control urine flow. If your urologist says your incontinence is caused by pelvic floor muscle weakness, the sling could be a solution. Watch this video to learn more.

The sling is placed under the bladder to restore lost tightness and close the area between the urethra and the neck of the bladder. This closure reduces urinary leakage. Vaginal sling surgeries are quick procedures for many patients, who often leave the surgical center the same day of the procedure.

Sling surgery is just one option provided by Urology Associates, P.C, for incontinence issues. Make an appointment with a urologist today by calling (888) 329-7700 to learn about incontinence treatment or other concerns, such as UTI treatment.

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.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but women need to be vigilant about their breast health all year long. Although breast cancer is a significant risk—one in eight women will get it –early detection saves lives. A cornerstone of breast cancer detection is monthly breast self-exams. By checking your own breasts each month for lumps, you can increase your chances of getting diagnosed early if cancer does occur. If you’re not sure how to perform an exam, ask your doctor for advice. Learn more about breast cancer in this Infographic from Urology Associates, P.C . We provide sexual health and cancer treatment in Nashville, as well as care for a range of other conditions, including urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. At your next appointment, ask your doctor about your breast cancer risk and steps you can take to protect your health. Please share this important information with all of the women in your life to help them take control of their own cancer risks.