• Is a Penile Prosthesis Right for You?

    Penile prostheses are stable and reliable prosthetic devices used in urology, and they are implanted in men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Please watch this video to learn more about penile prostheses and whether one is right for you.

    The purpose of a penile prosthesis is to provide an erection, and it does not improve the cosmetics or sensitivity of the penis. Sexual dysfunction is common among men with urological problems, such as bladder cancer or prostate cancer, as well as those who have diabetes or vascular disease. Penile prostheses offer patients a stable way to manage this problem long-term.

    If you would like to improve your sexual health with ED treatment in Nashville , then look no further than Urology Associates, P.C. To learn more or make an appointment, please call (855) 901-1338.

  • Discover the Benefits of MonaLisa Touch

    Do you suffer from sexual dysfunction and painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness and other discomforts? If so, then it’s important to realize that it’s common for women to experience vaginal dryness and other changes after menopause, and MonaLisa Touch is a treatment option that may improve your sexual health by providing long-lasting relief. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of MonaLisa Touch.

    Simple Procedure

    If you’re like many women who experience vaginal discomfort due to a decline in estrogen levels, then you may have tried hormone therapy or estrogen creams and found that they were messy or ineffective. MonaLisa Touch is a laser treatment that takes less than five minutes to perform and is clinically proven to be effective. Patients experience no downtime or side effects, the procedure is performed in-office and without anesthesia, and, since 2008, thousands of women have been successfully treated.

    Effective Relief

    Treatment with MonaLisa Touch can improve your sexual health in many ways. After just a few treatments, many women experience an improvement in their dryness, burning, itching, laxity, and dyspareunia symptoms. Also, it’s common for women to experience some level of symptom relief after a single treatment.

    Life-Changing Results

    MonaLisa Touch works by delivering gentle, laser energy to the vaginal wall to enhance moisture levels, promote collagen production, restore proper trophic balance, and stimulate a healing response. Many women enjoy positive results in the first one to three treatments, and a typical course of treatment consists of three procedures conducted over a three-month period. MonaLisa Touch offers you an effective solution for vaginal dryness, burning, and itching that can provide you with life-changing results and help you regain your femininity.

    At Urology Associates, P.C., our urologists in Nashville offer specialized treatment for women’s sexual health issues. If you’re interested in benefiting from our MonaLisa Touch services, then please give us a call at (615)250-9265 to find out more or to schedule your appointment.

  • Exploring Common Types of Female Sexual Dysfunction

    Sexual dysfunction can refer to any sort of problem with any stage of sexual activity—from desire to orgasm. Just like in men, sexual health issues in women may be caused by physical health problems or psychological issues, or by a combination of these. Consider talking to a urologist about your sexual health concerns. Getting the treatment you need may improve your quality of life and restore your intimate relationship. You might even discover that you have an underlying medical condition that needs treatment, such as diabetes or heart disease.

    Arousal Disorders

    The sexual stimulation that precedes intercourse may be physical, mental, or emotional. Sexual stimulation results in physical changes like vaginal secretions and emotional changes like heightened sexual interest. Women with arousal disorders fail to experience these changes. It’s still possible for physical changes to occur, but without the woman experiencing a heightened awareness of them. Sexual arousal disorders can have psychological causes, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, and they can have physical causes, such as hormonal imbalances and atrophic vaginitis.

    Desire Disorders

    Female hypoactive sexual desire disorder is generally defined as a lack of desire for sexual activity that causes psychological distress or strained intimate relationships. Like arousal disorders, desire disorders can be caused by both physical and psychological problems. These include depression, low self-esteem, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

    Orgasmic Disorders

    Women with orgasmic disorders might not experience problems with desire or arousal, but they do have difficulty achieving orgasm. Sexual health experts suggest that orgasmic disorders may affect as many as one in every three women . This sexual health problem may stem from older age, prior gynecological surgery, history of sexual abuse, or medical conditions like diabetes.

    Sexual Pain Disorders

    Some women suffer from pain during or after sex. In menopausal women, atrophic vaginitis is a common cause. Younger women may experience sexual pain disorders because of interstitial cystitis, the involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles, endometriosis, or a history of sexual abuse.

    Women’s Institute for Sexual Health (WISH) at Urology Associates, P.C. provides the compassionate, confidential care that women deserve. Our sexual dysfunction treatments available in Nashville reflect the latest scientific advances in the field. Call us today at (615)250-9265 to request an appointment with a WISH provider.

  • Is Adult Circumcision Right for You?

    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.

  • What Men Need to Know About Urethral Strictures

    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.

  • Introducing a New Treatment for Women’s Sexual Health

    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 .

  • Dealing with Painful Sex After Childbirth

    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).

  • Diagnosing Bladder Cancer

    In most cases, bladder cancer begins in the lining of the bladder. As it progresses, it can penetrate deeper and potentially spread to other parts of the body. As with other types of cancer, it’s preferable if a urologist diagnoses bladder cancer when it’s in its early stages. When you watch this featured video, you’ll hear from Dr. David Morris—a board-certified urologist at Urology Associates, P.C.

    Dr. Morris explains that many bladder cancer patients come to Urology Associates, P.C. after noticing blood in the urine. To diagnose the problem, you will likely have a cystoscopy, which is an invasive exam that may include a biopsy.

    At Urology Associates, P.C., you’ll receive exceptional, compassionate bladder cancer care in Tennessee. You can request a referral to a urologist by calling (888) 329-7700.

  • Reducing Your Risk of Kidney Stones

    Kidney stones are comprised of hardened deposits of minerals and acid salts. Although the symptoms of kidney stones can vary in intensity, many women have said the pain is worse than childbirth. Not all kidney stones require surgical intervention, but it’s a good idea to consult a urology specialist for expert treatment. If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney stones once, you should know that you’re at risk of getting them again. The following tips can help you prevent recurrent stones.

    Increase your water intake.

    Drinking plenty of water is essential for your health in general and kidney stone prevention in particular. During hot weather and while exercising, increase your water intake even more. As a general rule of thumb, you’re drinking enough water if your urine is very lightly colored or clear.

    Increase your consumption of plant-based proteins.

    It’s thought that eating lots of animal-based proteins may increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Your urologist may ask that you limit beef, chicken, and pork. Organ meat is thought to be especially impactful regarding kidney stone development. Consider limiting your intake of eggs, poultry, seafood, and dairy products.

    Avoid calcium supplements.

    Although calcium can be found in kidney stones, the consumption of food sources of calcium doesn’t appear to influence the risk. However, your urologist may suggest that you avoid calcium supplements.

    Reduce your sodium intake.

    Managing your sodium intake is particularly important if your kidney stones were calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones. There are lots of sneaky sources of sodium in the average American diet. High amounts of sodium are found in deli meats and cheeses, bread, pizza, soup, canned foods, and even frozen vegetables that include sauces. An effective way to reduce your sodium intake is to avoid processed foods and takeout, and to cook with fresh ingredients at home instead.

    If you do need kidney stone treatment within Tennessee, you can count on Urology Associates, P.C. Our urologists offer cutting-edge treatments and sound medical guidance you can trust. Call our office at (888) 329-7700 to request a prompt appointment.

  • A Patient’s Guide to Epididymitis

    The epididymis is a small, coiled tube located at the rear of the testicle. It’s responsible for storing and transporting sperm. When this tube becomes inflamed, the condition is called epididymitis. Epididymitis can be painful. If you suspect you might have this condition, it’s a good idea to see a urologist promptly.

    Signs and Symptoms

    Acute epididymitis often causes one-sided testicular pain and tenderness, swelling and reddening of the testicle, and painful urination. Men may also experience the following:

    • Urgent or frequent urination
    • Penile discharge
    • Painful ejaculation
    • Pain of the pelvic region
    • Bloody semen
    • Testicular lump
    • Fever

    Chronic epididymitis occurs when the symptoms last longer than six weeks.

    Causes and Risk Factors

    In boys and men who are sexually active, the most common cause of epididymitis is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia. It’s also possible to develop epididymitis because of a non-STD infection, such as urinary tract infections. In some men, urine trickles backward into the epididymis. This can also cause inflammation. Other possible causes and risk factors include the following:

    • Groin injury
    • Tuberculosis
    • Certain medications
    • Unprotected sex
    • Prostate enlargement
    • Uncircumcised penis

    Diagnostic Tests

    To diagnose epididymitis, a urologist will perform a physical exam, review the patient’s medical history, and evaluate his symptoms. A rectal exam may be needed to rule out the possibility of prostate enlargement. Then, the urologist may ask to run some tests, such as an STD screening, urine test, and blood test. Sometimes, an ultrasound can be helpful to rule out the possibility of testicular torsion.

    Treatment Options

    If the urologist determines that the problem is caused by a bacterial infection, he or she can prescribe antibiotics. For STDs, it’s necessary to treat the patient’s sexual partner. While the infection is clearing up, patients can relieve their discomfort by wearing an athletic support and applying cold packs. A follow-up visit will check whether the infection has resolved. In some cases, an abscess may have formed. This requires surgical intervention.

    If you’re experiencing sexual health problems, you can turn to the trusted urology team in Tennessee. The award-winning, board-certified urologists at Urology Associates, P.C. are dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Call (888) 329-7700 to request an appointment or visit our website to read more about male health issues, including sexual dysfunction.