Articles
Answers from our team, written for you.
These are questions we hear often at our Alpharetta / Roswell office. Each article opens with a short direct answer, then the full script in calm paragraphs, and closes with a clear next step.
Browse by topic: Prostate · Bladder and leaks · Kidney stones · Blood in the urine and cancer · Men's health · Women's health
Prostate
Who is a candidate for robotic prostatectomy?
It often fits men with cancer confined to the prostate who are healthy enough for surgery.
How do you prepare for a prostate biopsy?
Follow your instructions about blood thinners and aspirin.
What are the signs of an enlarged prostate?
A weak or slow stream, trouble starting, dribbling, feeling you can't empty, urgency, and getting up at night to pee.
What medicines treat an enlarged prostate?
Alpha blockers, like tamsulosin, relax the prostate and bladder neck, often within days.
What is brachytherapy, or seed implants, for prostate cancer?
Tiny radioactive seeds, about the size of a grain of rice, are placed inside the prostate through needles, guided by ultrasound.
Is prostate artery embolization done without surgery?
Yes, there are no surgical cuts.
What is an MRI fusion biopsy?
First, an MRI shows any suspicious areas in the prostate.
Why is it hard to start peeing?
In men, an enlarged prostate is a common cause.
Bladder and leaks
Who is a good candidate for bladder Botox?
Bladder Botox may fit adults with overactive bladder or urge leaking who haven't done well with medicines.
How soon will you see results with magnetic pelvic floor stimulation?
Some people notice changes within a few sessions, but most need a full series over several weeks.
Nocturia in women versus men: both get it.
In men, the prostate is often a factor.
Why do you have to pee all the time?
Common causes include overactive bladder, UTIs, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, and drinking lots of caffeine or fluids.
What is a midurethral sling?
It's a thin strip of mesh tape placed under the urethra, like a hammock, to stop stress leaks.
Atrial fibrillation and frequent urination: is there a link?
AFib can trigger your body to release a hormone that makes you pee more.
What if you can't urinate with the catheter in during urodynamic testing?
That's common and okay.
What do our urologists do for overactive bladder?
First, we find out what's really going on, with a urine test, a bladder scan, and sometimes a diary or bladder testing.
What is Altaviva tibial nerve stimulation?
Altaviva is a small implant placed under the skin near the ankle.
What is fecal incontinence?
It's trouble controlling stool or gas, from occasional leaks to more frequent accidents.
What is stress urinary incontinence?
It's leaking urine when pressure presses on the bladder, like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting.
Overactive bladder in men versus women: OAB affects both.
In men, an enlarged prostate often adds to it.
Bladder pain but no infection?
It could be interstitial cystitis, or bladder pain syndrome.
What is a suprapubic catheter?
It's a catheter placed through a small opening in the lower belly directly into the bladder, rather than through the urethra.
Kidney stones
Shock waves or a laser scope: which is better for my stone?
Shock wave lithotripsy breaks the stone from outside your body, with no scope inside.
Should you take calcium supplements if you've had kidney stones?
Calcium from food is usually preferred.
Blood in the urine and cancer
What is upper tract urothelial cancer?
It's cancer in the lining of the kidney's drainage system or the ureter, the same type of cell as most bladder cancers.
Partial or radical nephrectomy: what's the difference?
A partial nephrectomy removes the tumor and keeps the healthy part of the kidney.
What is BCG treatment for bladder cancer?
BCG is a weakened germ that's put directly into the bladder through a catheter.
Men's health
What are the signs of low testosterone?
Low sex drive, ED, fatigue, low mood, loss of muscle, more belly fat, and fewer morning erections.
What is shockwave therapy for ED?
Low-intensity shockwaves are gently applied to the penis to stimulate blood vessel growth and improve blood flow.
What are the main causes of ED?
Blood vessel disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, low testosterone, medicines, smoking, and stress.
Heard a pop during sex, then sudden pain, swelling, and bruising of the penis?
That may be a penile fracture.
When should you see our urologists for blood in semen?
Usually it's harmless and goes away, especially in younger men.
What does a men's health checkup with our urologists include?
A review of urinary, sexual, and hormone health.
Women's health
What is a urethral diverticulum?
It's a small pouch that forms along the urethra in women.
Why do bladder problems start at menopause?
Lower estrogen affects the bladder, urethra, and vaginal tissue, which can cause urgency, leaks, and UTIs.
For education, not medical advice. Every treatment has risks and benefits. Emergency? Call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Whenever you’re ready, our Alpharetta / Roswell team would be glad to hear from you.