What I treat in general urology
- Urinary stones (kidney stones)
- Diagnosis and treatment of the acute attack and, just as important, finding out why the stone formed, to lower the chance of it happening again.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Noncancerous growth of the prostate, or an enlarged prostate, which causes the urinary symptoms that are common from midlife onward: a weak stream, getting up at night to urinate, urgency. Effective medical treatment is available and, when indicated, so is surgery, including minimally invasive techniques that preserve ejaculation. This is a topic I have published on.
- Prostate cancer screening
- PSA testing and an individualized assessment based on your age and family history, with clarity about what each test means and what it does not. Screening is not ordering tests for the sake of it: it is a decision we make together.
- Vasectomy
- A permanent method of male contraception, preceded by a thorough conversation. It is a decision for men who are sure, and a future reversal, while possible, is not guaranteed.
- Phimosis and hydrocele
- Two common conditions with well-established surgical treatment: circumcision (postectomy) for phimosis, and repair of a hydrocele, a buildup of fluid around the testicle.
- Infections and urinary complaints
- Recurrent urinary tract infections, prostatitis, pain when urinating, and changes in urinary stream or habits.
When to see a urologist
Any persistent urinary symptom deserves an evaluation: pain, blood in the urine, a weak stream, urgency or needing to urinate more often. Blood in the urine, in particular, should never be ignored, even if it shows up only once and then goes away.
If you have no symptoms, routine screening is recommended from age 50, or earlier if there are risk factors such as a family history. Overall men's health care can start much earlier, in adolescence.
Frequently asked questions
Do kidney stones always need surgery?
No. Many stones pass on their own, with pain management and follow-up. Whether a procedure is needed depends on the stone's size and location and on your symptoms. After an episode, finding the cause is what lowers the chance of it happening again.
Does an abnormal PSA mean cancer?
No. PSA also rises with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with infections and after procedures. An abnormal result is the start of an investigation, not a diagnosis.
Does a vasectomy affect erections or sex drive?
No. A vasectomy only interrupts the transport of sperm. Erections, desire, orgasm and ejaculation stay as they were, and the volume of semen barely changes.
Are urologists only for men?
No. Urologists treat the urinary tract in both men and women. Only the male reproductive and hormonal side, andrology, is specific to men.
