First Urology of Schneck Medical Center

A urologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of health issues involving the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs.

Urologists care for diseases affecting the male and female urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra) and the male reproductive organs (penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate). Talk to your primary care physician to see if a referral to First Urology of Schneck Medical Center is right for you.

Common causes of kidney stones include drinking insufficient amounts of water and consuming too much salt or sugar. Obesity and family history have also been shown to be contributing factors.

Depending on the size and number of kidney stones, a doctor may recommend allowing your body to pass the kidney stone without surgical intervention. If the kidney stone is causing a blockage or infection, a urologist may recommend surgically removing it due to the potential of a worsening infection. Shock-wave lithotripsy is a common non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to blast the kidney stone into fragments your body can pass more easily.

Common symptoms of prostate cancer include blood in urine, pain or burning during urination, abnormally frequent urination, weak urinary flow, and pain or discomfort in the bladder region when sitting.

While the exact cause of an enlarged prostate is not known, it is believed that hormonal changes that take place as a man ages may be responsible. All men will experience an enlarged prostate if they live long enough. Despite that, it is important to note when an enlarged prostate may be causing pain that indicates an issue outside of expected hormonal growth.

Possible side effects of a vasectomy include infection, bruising of the scrotum, discomfort, swelling, and blood in your semen. It is important to note that these side effects are not common but instead dependent on the physician's expertise and the patient’s receptiveness to the procedure.

A vasectomy will not affect your sexual performance, cause severe prolonged pain or put you at risk for developing cancer or heart disease.

The bladder in the female body is supported by the wall of the vagina. Age, childbirth, or injury may cause the vaginal wall to weaken, causing the bladder to prolapse or descend into the vagina. A prolapsed bladder may cause urinary incontinence, discomfort or difficulty urinating.

A bladder sling is a surgical procedure that corrects the symptoms of incontinence. Tissue is extracted from your body to create a supportive “sling” that raises the urethra and prevents the leakage of urine. It is important to note that there are several iterations of this procedure and each one varies in its execution and purpose.