Bladder control issues can be an embarrassing problem that prompts a hasty visit to the urologist. A urologist treats conditions of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Men in Georgetown, SC experiencing bladder control issues or other alarming symptoms like testicular pain or bloody urine should see a urologist right away. Below is a summary of the medical conditions that local urologists treat.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in men over the age of 40. Residents have several options for treatment, including:Oral Medications
There are oral medications that can treat ED, including sildenafil citrate, known by its brand name Viagra. When used with sexual stimulation, sildenafil citrate has been proven to be effective.Vacuum Erection Devices
Vacuum erection devices are another treatment option for ED. Men place a tube over their penis and use a hand or battery-powered pump to create a vacuum that increases blood flow until the man has a fully erect penis. He then places a ring around the base of the penis to prevent blood from exiting so he can maintain an erection as long as he wants.Penile Implants
A penile implant for erectile dysfunction involves surgically placing an implant inside the body of a man, allowing him to maintain an erection for as long as it is needed. There is some risk of injury with this method so men should consider it carefully.Injections
With injection therapy, a vasodilator is injected directly into the penis via a syringe. Vasodilators cause the blood vessels to become engorged, resulting in a fully erect penis. Injection therapy is considered one of the best non-surgical ED treatment options.Intraurethral Suppositories
Intraurethral suppositories are small pellets that men insert into their urethra. These pellets release a vasodilator that causes the penis to become engorged with blood, resulting in an erection.Low Testosterone
When a man’s body cannot produce enough testosterone, sperm, or both, they have a condition called Low Testosterone (Low T). A low sperm count makes it difficult for a man to reproduce, but male fertility treatments are available. Georgetown Urologists use treatments including Aveed® or Testopel testosterone replacement therapy. Aveed® is a testosterone injection given at the doctor’s office. Men need to maintain their treatment by receiving five injections per year. Testopel is a testosterone pellet that a Urologist inserts into a fatty layer of the skin which slowly releases testosterone as it dissolves over four months.Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a painful condition that can be treated through non-surgical extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Urologists use shock waves to break up stones so they can pass through the urethra easily.Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, but with the right treatment, the chances of survival are very high. Prostate cancer treatment in Georgetown, SC includes:Tissue Sparing Prostate Ablation
Tissue sparing prostate ablation involves treating only the parts of the prostate where cancer cells are present. This treatment removes tumors without invasive surgery, which can damage the surrounding areas, leading to urinary incontinence or ED.SpaceOAR® Hydrogel
It is common for patients with prostate cancer to undergo radiation treatment, which has several negative side effects. SpaceOAR® Hydrogel can ease some side effects by limiting the rectum’s exposure to radiation during treatment. SpaceOAR® Hydrogel is inserted between the prostate and the rectum and can reduce the number of required treatment sessions.Fusion Prostate Biopsy
The fusion prostate biopsy system is a method of cancer screening that uses MR prostate images with live ultrasound-guided biopsy needles to get a complete picture of the prostate. This allows doctors to better target suspicious masses, leading to an improved rate of identifying aggressive prostate cancers.Incontinence
Incontinence treatment by urologists in Georgetown, SC include:Botox® for Overactive Bladder
Overactive bladder can be treated by injecting Botox® into the bladder muscle biannually. The injection blocks nerve signals that cause the bladder muscles to contract uncontrollably. Botox for overactive bladder has helped many people get control of their bladder.InterStim
InterStim involves surgically implanting a device near the sacral nerve that releases small electrical impulses to help control urinary muscles. It assists the signals between the brain and bladder so both women and men experience reduced urinary leakage.Urgent® PC Therapy
Urgent® PC Therapy uses electrical impulses sent through an acupuncture-like needle inserted into the ankle to change the signals that cause overactive bladder. Electrical impulses are delivered to the pelvic nerves to help control bladder function.Bladder Problem Diagnostics
Urodynamics is used to diagnose bladder problems by inserting a small catheter into the rectum or urethra to perform diagnostic tests that include:- Cystogram study to determine the bladder’s urine capacity and control
- Uroflowmetry to measure the amount and speed at which urine is produced
- EMG to measure a person’s sphincter control
- Pressure flow study to locate obstructions
Blue Light Cystoscopy for Bladder Cancer Detection
Blue Light Cystoscopy for Bladder Cancer Detection involves a urologist using moderate sedation or anesthesia on the patient and then filling the patient’s bladder with hexaminolevulinate HCl, known by the brand name Cysview®. A cystoscope fitted with blue and white light is inserted into the patient’s bladder, which causes cancer cells to glow fluorescent pink in the blue light.BPH
Many older men experience BPH, which is a term used to refer to an enlarged prostate. Treatment for BPH includes:The UroLift® System Treatment
With the UroLift® System Treatment, Urologists insert a device into the urethra. The device holds the prostate away from the urethra, leaving it open enough to relieve BPD symptoms.Rezum for Prostates
Rezum for enlarged prostate is a minimally invasive transurethral water vapor therapy effective in BPH symptom relief. Water vapor is injected into the prostate to reduce the extra tissue that is causing BPH symptoms.GreenLight Laser Therapy
With GreenLight™ Laser Therapy, Urologists use a laser to vaporize excess prostate tissue, providing patients with immediate symptom relief. This is a quick outpatient procedure that is considered one of the most effective BPH treatments.Urocuff
Urocuff is a form of minimally invasive diagnostic testing for male urinary disorders. A Georgetown urologist uses a pneumatic cuff fitted to a man’s penis to measure urine production, urine flow rate, and bladder pressure. Most men in Georgetown, SC will experience symptoms that require a visit to a urologist at some point in their lives. It is important they know what services a urologist offers and what conditions they treat. Call Atlantic Urology Clinics to schedule an appointment today.
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
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Sunday
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