Rice and Lake Urology, LLP - Urologists in Columbus, GA

Erectile Dysfunction | Incontinence | Infertility
Prostate Cancer | Urinary Tract Infections

FAQ - Erectile Dysfunction

What is Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)?

Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection that is firm enough or that last long enough to have successful sexual intercourse.

Is Erectile Dysfunction common?

Most men occasionally have difficulty getting an erection. However, about one in ten men are affected by continuing, or chronic impotence. The first step is to seek professional help.

What are the causes?

About 80% of all impotence problems have physical causes. The rest are caused by psychological factors or a combination of both.

Physical Causes

Use of drugs
Blood flow problems
Nerve impulse problems
Surgery or trauma
Serious health problems
Lack of hormones

Psychological Causes

Depression
Stress
Performance anxiety

How does an erection occur?

For an erection to occur, several parts of the body must work together. The brain sends messages to control the nerves, hormone levels, blood flow and muscles that cause an erection. If anything interferes with these messages, or if any part of the system doesn't function correctly than an erection does not occur.

What to expect at your examination?

Your urologist will ask you several questions in order to understand when and what circumstances you experience signs of impotence. He will then you give you a complete physical exam. This exam is to determine if the blood vessels, nerves and tissues of your penis is working normally.

How will they determine a diagnosis?

To confirm your diagnosis, other tests can detect hormonal abnormalities, determine blood flow problems, and may help to rule out psychological problems.

Blood test and urinalysis
Penile blood flow studies
Sleep monitoring

If, I am diagnosed with Impotence, What are my treatment options?

Depending on your diagnosis your doctor may suggest several different treatment options.

Counseling and sex therapy
Oral medications
Transurethral Therapy
Vacuum Erection Therapy
Venous Flow Constriction Therapy
Penile Self-Injection Therapy
Implant Surgery

FAQ - Incontinence

What is incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine with med and women of all ages, a problem with bladder control is not an inevitable part of the aging process or of life. It is a medical condition that can have many different causes.

What are the types of incontinence?

There are different types of incontinence. You may have stress incontinence, overflow incontinence or urge incontinence. You may have urge incontinence in combination with one of the other types. Although people with incontinence experience a loss of bladder control, each type of incontinence experience a loss of bladder control, each type of incontinence has its own pattern of signs and symptoms.

What are the conditions that may contribute urinary incontinence?

Pregnancy and childbirth
Urinary tract infections
Weakness of sphincter muscles
Bladder or other pelvic organs slipping out of place
Radiation therapy
Pelvic injury or surgery
Hormonal deficiency
Neurologic diseases including stroke, parkinsonism and multiple sclerosis

What are symptoms of incontinence?

Urine loss with sneezing, coughing, or physical activity.
A sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate.
A frequent or constant dribble of urine.

How will they diagnose incontinence?

The physical exam and medical history together enable your doctor to make initial diagnosis. However, your doctor may also order certain tests to confirm and document the diagnosis. They may be done in your doctors office, at a lab or at a hospital.

Urine Culture
Voiding Profile (Urine Flow)
Cystoscopy
Cystometrogram
Cystogram

What are my treatment options?

Pelvic Floor Therapy
Biofeedback
Drug Therapy
Devices
Injection Therapy
Artificial Urinary Sphincter
Surgery

FAQ - Infertility

Can your lifestyle and health habits affect my ability to conceive?

Smoking - In women, smoking may change estrogen levels and deplete egg production. Nicotine may be toxic to sperm in the cervical mucus. In men, smoking may lower sperm count, decrease sperm movement and cause abnormally shaped sperm.
Alcohol & drugs - Excessive alcohol drinking can lower sperm count and cause abnormal sperm production. Drugs, such as marijuana or cocaine affect hormone production in women and lower sperm count in men.
Testicular heat - A man's testicles are normally several degrees cooler than the rest of his body. When the testicles are too warm, sperm production decreases. High fever, hot work environments, hot tubs saunas, and tight pants may raise testicular temperature and decrease fertility.
Weight problems - Women who are significantly overweight often have difficulty getting pregnant. Too much or too little body fat can affect hormone levels and impair ovulation. In men, excess weight may raise testicular temperature, decreasing sperm count.
Strenuous exercise - Frequent strenuous exercise (such as daily long distance running) can decrease hormone production in women and possibly in men.
Other factors - Your doctor may discuss other factors that could affect fertility. Certain types of lubricants can damage or destroy sperm. Some medications may decrease sperm count. In some women, stress and anxiety may inhibit ovulation.

What is involved in having a man evaluated for infertility?

Medical history
Physical examination
Semen analysis
Other possible tests

What are the treatment options for infertility?

If a problem is found during your evaluation, your doctor will talk to you about the most effective methods for correcting it.

Treating infection
Improving sperm concentration
Treating sperm antibodies
Correcting hormone problems
Surgery

FAQ - Prostate Cancer

What is the prostate?

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It is about the same size of a walnut and weighs only about an ounce. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds a tube called the urethra that carries urine from the bladder out from the penis. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid for semen.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer is a disease that affects the cells of the prostate. Normally, cells grow and divide in an orderly way. Sometimes this normal process of cell growth can go wrong. If the cells continue to divide when theyre not supposed to, they can form a tumor. Cancerous prostate tumors can block the flow of urine and, if untreated, can spread to other parts of the body.

What are some early detection tools for Prostate Cancer?

Simple blood test measures the level of a protein called Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA). Normally, PSA is found in the blood at very low levels. Elevated PSA readings can be a sign of prostate cancer.
DRE- The digital rectal exam (DRE) involves the physician inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for signs of cancer. This test is simple, safe and only slightly uncomfortable.

What are the warning signs of Prostate Cancer?

Difficulty urinating
A need to urinate more often
Blood in urine
A burning or painful sensation when urinating.
Pain in pelvis, lower back or upper thighs. These symptoms can also be signs of many other noncancerous diseases.

How will my Doctor make a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer?

If the PSA or DRE tests suggest the presence of cancer, your urologist will discuss the option of a biopsy. A biopsy is the surgical removal of a small sample of tissue. Biopsies are performed usually in the doctors office.

When is a Prostate Biopsy needed?

Although an abnormal DRE or an elevated PSA may suggest the presence of prostate cancer, a diagnosis of cancer can only be confirmed by a prostate biopsy. Biopsies are minimally invasive procedures. A small amount of prostate tissue is removed by a needle inserted through the rectum. An ultrasound probe is used to guide the needle. Usually this procedure is performed usually performed as an outpatient procedure without anesthesia.

What are treatment methods for prostate cancer?

Surveillance (watchful waiting)
Surgery
Radiation Therapy
Hormone Therapy

FAQ Urinary Tract Infections

Are UTIs (Urinary Tract Infection) common?

Urinary Tract Infections are common in women and men. UTIs are most often caused by bacteria. These are germs that can invade your urinary tract.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Women have urinary tract infection more than men. But men suffer from UTIs too.

A burning feeling or pain in your urinary tract.
Pain in your kidneys (felt in the upper back)
The urge to urinate so often that you cant sit through a meeting or sleep through the night.

How will the physician diagnose a UTI?

To diagnose a UTI, your physician will take your medical history, give you a physical exam, and have lab test done.

Urinalysis
Urine Culture
Blood tests
Kidney Ultrasound
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
Cystoscopy
Cystogram

How does a UTI occur?

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that grow uncontrolled in your urinary tract. The bacteria may come from outside your body. Or they may come from your rectum or vagina. Here are some ways you might get a UTI:

Sex
Poor hygiene
Urine that remains in your bladder after you urinate
A blockage in your kidneys
A blockage caused by an enlarged prostate (in men).

What are the different types of urinary infections?

Women and men often get different kinds of urinary tract infections.

Cystitis in women.
Urethral Syndrome in women
Pyelonephritis in men and women
Prostatitis in men
Urethritis in men
Cystitis in men

What are my treatment options?

Most UTIs can be treated with medication (such as antibiotics) and some lifestyle changes.

What is my role in treatment and prevention?

Take your medication as directed so your infection does not return.
Drink enough fluids every day to help flush bacteria out of your system.
Practice good personal hygiene.
Empty your bladder whenever you feel the urge to urinate.
Avoid foods that may irritate your urinary tract.
Keep follow up medical appointments.

Rice & Lake Urology, LLP
1900 10th Ave.
Suite 310
Columbus, GA 31901
Tel: 706.323.0990
Fax: 706.320.0209
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