Has your partner been unable to get pregnant following a year of unprotected sex? If so, then you or she may be suffering from infertility. If you’re a man and your partner is unable to conceive, then your doctor may advise you to see a urologist for a male fertility evaluation. Here is what you can expect from this process:

Initial Examination

To begin the evaluation, your doctor will perform a physical exam. Then, he may ask you about any surgeries that you have had, if you exercise and how much, if you take any medications, and whether you take recreational drugs or smoke. Your doctor may also talk to you about your sex life and ask whether or not you’ve ever had any STDs.

Semen Analysis

During your appointment, your doctor may request a semen sample to help determine if you are dealing with male infertility. This sample will be tested by trained experts who measure sperm count and examine the sperm’s characteristics, such as their movement and shape. In simple terms, men who have high amounts of normal-shaped sperm have higher fertility. However, having low levels of sperm or abnormal sperm in your semen does not necessarily mean that you’re infertile. Your doctor may advise a second semen analysis to confirm the results of the first .

Additional Testing

Some of your body’s hormones are responsible for making sperm, so your doctor may use a hormone evaluation to test their levels. While hormone imbalances can cause infertility, they are not the primary culprit in most cases. Also, genetic testing is sometimes performed to look for reasons why you may have sperm problems.

Further Examination

There are a number of physical issues that may cause you to have fertility problems. Your doctor may examine you for a sperm blockage, retrograde ejaculation, a missing vas deferens , and anti-sperm antibodies.

If you’re a man who is concerned about his fertility, then call Urology Associates, P.C. at (855) 901-1338. Our urologists provide testing and treatment for male infertility in Tennessee.

Robotic surgery provides urologists with the ability to view the patient’s anatomy in a more detailed and dynamic way. If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate or kidney cancer and have questions about what treatment to pursue, then watch this video to learn a bit about robotic surgery.

Robotic surgery allows for nerve-sparing to be a more precise procedure and lets urologists get a better view of a patient’s nerve structure. Also, this technology helps surgeons see tumors more accurately to help ensure their complete removal in the case of kidney cancer.

If you’re interested in minimally invasive treatments for kidney or prostate cancer, then contact Urology Associates, P.C. at (855) 901-1338 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced urologists in Tennessee.

When it comes to sexual health for women, low libido is not an uncommon problem. The sexual response cycle requires both psychological and physical stimulation, and it can be affected by many issues. The following are a few potential causes of low libido in women:

Having Certain Physical Conditions

There is a wide range of health problems that can lead a woman to experience low libido. For example, natural hormonal changes caused by being pregnant, your menstrual cycle, taking birth control, and experiencing menopause can all impact your sexual response. Also, some medical conditions, like endometriosis, diabetes, and anything that causes you to feel sexual dysfunction or discomfort during sex, can also result in low sexual responsiveness.

Drinking Alcohol

While it’s not uncommon for women to view a glass of wine as a way to feel more relaxed and willing to be intimate, it may actually have a negative impact on one’s libido. For both men and women, regularly consuming alcohol over an extended period can reduce the body’s sexual response. Some women may experience increased libido by planning to spend time with their partner without the involvement of alcohol.

Being Anxious

Many people already know that regularly experiencing anxiety can have a negative impact on their health. However, some women do not realize that being anxious can also affect their sex drive. Sexual arousal is a natural process, so when you are anxious, stressed, or distracted, then you may find it difficult to enjoy yourself physically.

Feeling Depressed

Feelings of depression are a common cause of low libido in women. When a person is depressed, this often coincides with imbalances in their hormones. Your hormones play a critical role in your sexual response cycle so if you are suffering from depression, addressing this condition may improve your libido.

Are you a woman who is struggling with symptoms of low libido in Nashville ? If so, then Urology Associates, P.C. may be able to diagnose the cause and treat your symptoms. To schedule a consultation with one of our compassionate urologists, please give us a call today at (855) 901-1338.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland. If your urologist determines that you have elevated PSA levels, you may be asked to undergo additional tests to figure out if a medical condition could be causing this. It is possible for elevated PSA levels to indicate prostate cancer, although many men who do have elevated PSA levels do not have prostate cancer. Similarly, some men with low PSA levels do have prostate cancer. This is why additional tests may be needed.

Elevated PSA levels can also be caused by conditions other than cancer, including urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prostatitis, the latter of which refers to the inflammation of the prostate gland. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate is another condition that may result in elevated PSA levels.

You’ll find comprehensive and compassionate treatment for prostate cancer at Urology Associates, P.C. To discuss cancer treatments in Tennessee, call our office at (855) 901-1338 and make an appointment with one of our knowledgeable and experienced urologists.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. It develops when malignant cells form in the linings of the tubules of the kidneys. One or both kidneys may be affected. Patients who have been diagnosed with kidney cancer are encouraged to speak with a urologist about their cancer treatment options.

Signs and Symptoms

In its early stages, renal cell carcinoma may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As the cancer progresses, patients may experience abdominal pain and swelling, back pain, bloody urine, and unintentional weight loss. Male patients may develop a varicocele, which refers to the swelling of the veins of a testicle. Female patients may experience excessive hair growth. Anemia, loss of appetite, pain in the side, and vision problems may also develop because of kidney cancer.

Risk Factors

Most patients who are diagnosed with kidney cancer are men between the ages of 50 and 70. Smoking is known to be a significant risk factor of kidney cancer, as is the long-term use of certain medications such as pain pills and diuretics. Other risk factors may include obesity, polycystic kidney disease, high blood pressure, history of dialysis treatment, and a family history of the disease.

Diagnostic Tests

A primary care physician may suspect kidney cancer upon performing a physical exam, which may reveal the presence of a lump in the abdomen and, in men, a varicocele. Then, patients may be referred to a urologist for further testing. These medical tests may include imaging studies, blood tests, urinalysis, liver function tests, and renal arteriography.

Treatment Options

Most often, the treatment for this particular type of cancer is surgery to remove part or all of the kidney. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove the bladder, lymph nodes, and other surrounding tissues. Some medications may be helpful, although chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not generally effective for kidney cancer.

Urology Associates, P.C. is your partner in wellness. Our urology team provides cutting-edge cancer treatment throughout Middle Tennessee, including kidney and bladder cancer treatment. If your primary care physician suspects that you might have renal cell carcinoma, call us without delay at (855) 901-1338.

Kidney stones are a very painful medical problem. In fact, some women describe the pain as being worse than childbirth. Kidney stones form as a result of hardened mineral deposits and urologists say that people who consume high amounts of oxalates could be at an increased risk. Along with spinach and chocolate, iced tea happens to have plenty of oxalates.

You can hear more about the link between iced tea and kidney stones by watching this brief video and consulting your urologist. The health expert interviewed here recommends drinking plenty of water with a lemon wedge to counteract the effects of the oxalates in iced tea.

Urology Associates, P.C. provides sophisticated kidney stone treatment options in Tennessee. If you need to see a urologist, you can give us a call at (855) 901-1338.

The pelvic region is the lowest part of the abdomen or trunk. In men and women, chronic pelvic pain can have a number of causes, including medical conditions that stem from the reproductive, musculoskeletal, urinary, and digestive systems. Chronic pelvic pain may be sharp or dull, intermittent or constant, and mild or severe. It can also significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life. If you’ve been suffering from pelvic pain, it may be time to make an appointment with a urologist to discover the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Causes in Women

Most women are accustomed to experiencing cramps in the pelvic region every month, but some women suffer from particularly severe pain. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for very painful menstruation. Chronic pelvic pain in women could also be the result of endometriosis. This is a condition in which endometrial tissue—which normally lines the uterus—grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can be quite painful, although a urologist can recommend effective treatment options. Chronic bladder infections are another common cause of pelvic pain in women. Also known as chronic cystitis, this condition may increase the risk of kidney infections and even permanent kidney damage, which is why it’s particularly important to undergo treatment. Another possible cause of chronic pelvic pain in women is vaginismus, which refers to the extreme tightening of the pelvic floor muscles. This can occur during sexual intercourse.

Causes in Men

Since women are more likely to experience chronic pelvic pain than men, some men may be less likely to seek treatment for what is often perceived as an embarrassing health condition. But it’s important for men to take charge of their health and see a urologist when necessary. The urologist might determine that the male patient is suffering from prostatitis, which refers to an inflammation of the prostate gland. Another common problem is epididymitis, which is an inflammation of the epididymis. The epididymis is located at the rear of the testicle. Most often, this condition is caused by a bacterial infection .

There’s no need to live with chronic pelvic pain any longer. Contact Urology Associates, P.C. at (855) 901-1338 to schedule an appointment with a urologist in Tennessee. Our practice also provides effective treatment solutions for patients with urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, and incontinence.

Urology specialists refer to the presence of blood in the urine as hematuria. The urine may acquire blood at a few different points, including the kidneys, ureter, bladder, or urethra. Patients who notice visible blood in the urine should be evaluated by a urologist. The urologist will try to determine the underlying cause, which may be sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), physical trauma, viral infections, an enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, or tumors. Other possible causes include kidney disease, stones, and certain medications.

The urologist can conduct a number of diagnostic tests, including a dipstick evaluation of the urine, cystoscopy, and medical imaging tests. Since hematuria is a symptom of an underlying condition, the patient’s treatment will depend upon the diagnosis. If the cause is not known, then the patient may be referred for follow-up appointments.

If you experience bloody urine, you can call Urology Associates, P.C. right away at (855) 901-1338 to schedule an evaluation. In Tennessee, our urology team routinely treats urinary problems and sexual dysfunction.

Do you find yourself frequently waking up during the night to go to the bathroom? You could have a problem known as nocturia, which is characterized by the disruption of the normal sleep cycle due to the need to urinate more than once during the night. This urology issue can lead to other health problems associated with chronic sleep deprivation. Fortunately, a urologist can determine the underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Causes

Some of the potential causes of nocturia are sex-specific. Women may suffer from nocturia because of childbirth, menopause, or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Men may develop this problem because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate. The causes that could affect a patient of either sex include the excessive use of caffeine or alcohol, or drinking any fluids to excess before bedtime. Uncontrolled diabetes, diuretic medications, sleeping disorders, and bladder inflammation are other possible causes. Some patients may have low nocturnal bladder capacity due to interstitial cystitis, bladder obstruction, or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Diagnostics

When you visit a urologist to discuss your symptoms, they may ask you to keep a fluid and voiding record for a few days. You’ll make notes about the time and amount of your fluid intake, medication usage, caffeine and alcohol usage, and voiding behaviors. The urologist might also request medical tests such as a urinalysis.

Treatments

Treating nocturia may involve a combination of medical interventions and lifestyle changes . Your doctor might recommend medications to help you manage your symptoms. If you have an underlying medical condition that is causing nocturia, then treating this medical condition can help relieve your symptoms. You might also consider making lifestyle changes, such as limiting your fluid intake in the evening and adjusting your schedule of diuretic medications. You might also consider taking naps in the afternoon, wearing compression stockings, and elevating your legs.

Urology Associates, P.C. connects patients with urology issues with effective treatment options to improve quality of life. Nocturia, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction are just a few of the conditions we treat. Call (855) 901-1338 to set up an appointment with our urology team in Tenenssee.

Urinary tract infections or bladder infections can cause uncomfortable symptoms like burning sensations during urination. If you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections, it may be time to visit a urologist to discuss an effective UTI treatment plan.

Watch this animation to find out about the possible causes of UTIs. You’ll learn why women tend to get them more frequently than men. You’ll also discover that pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, certain birth defects, and bladder or kidney stones can all contribute to bladder infections. This animation offers some helpful tips for preventing future UTIs.

You’ll find compassionate providers and effective treatment options at Urology Associates, P.C. if you suffer from a UTI and you live in Tennessee, give us a call at (855) 901-1338.