Kidney Stones Symptoms with Dr. Brian Hale

My name is Brian Hale. I’m a board certified urologist working with Advanced Urology Institute.

So patients who have kidney stones usually complain of flank pain, which is where the pain would be behind the lower ribs and sometimes it wraps around towards the front [and] down towards the groin area. Those are the most common symptoms, [sometimes] they’ll also have blood in the urine on our testing in the office.

Usually we’ll get an ultrasound or CT scan that diagnoses the stone, it’ll tell us the size and location. If the stones are smaller [about] less than 4 millimeters in size, ninety (90) percent of those times it will pass on their own. So on those patients, I give them a chance to try to pass the stone before we operate on them. When they’re bigger, they’ll be more than 6 millimeters in size, the less of a change of passing [the stone], less than ten (10) percent. For those patients, we look at the scheduling surgery for.

What is endometriosis?

Do you experience unbearably painful periods? Do you have severe pain in your abdomen or lower back every time your menstrual cycle starts? Are your menstrual cycles characterized by excessive bleeding, painful urination, painful sexual intercourse, or painful bowel movements?

You might want to consider getting checked to see if you are suffering from a condition called endometriosis.

With these symptoms, you should see a gynecologist or female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) physician as soon as possible. At Advanced Urology Institute, we have FPMRS physicians at our Fort Myers center who can provide a proper diagnosis.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a disorder in which a tissue, similar to the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus, grows in an area outside of it. Although found outside the uterus, the endometrial-like tissue behaves like a typical endometrium. That is, it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with every menstrual cycle.

Unlike the by-products of normal endometrial tissue, they have no way of leaving your body. That means they are trapped somewhere in your body and eventually result in complications.

They cause severe irritation, pain, and excessive bleeding, particularly during menstrual periods. They may also cause scar tissue and adhesions, making pelvic tissue and organs stick to each other. Ultimately, this condition may interfere with your sex life and even cause infertility.

Learn more about Endometriosis causes and treatment options.

Vasectomy vs Tubal Ligation – Dr. Yaser Bassel

My name is Yaser Bassel. I’m a board certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute.

I do perform no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomies and that is an easy in-office procedure for sterilization. For men, that oftentimes is the better option than for women undergoing a tubal ligation. In that case, women oftentimes will have to have general anesthesia and require a surgical procedure. For men this is typically a ten to fifteen (10-15) minute procedure that’s performed in the office and oftentimes we can give patients a Valium tablet so that they are relaxed during the procedure. Afterwards, as long as the patient is compliant with no strenuous activities for one (1) week, they typically do not have any issues with regards to healing. Oftentimes men are concerned that a vasectomy can affect their libido or affect their erectile function [but] there is absolutely no correlation with that and there’s no effect on erectile function or libido for men.

Female Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Sexual intercourse shouldn’t be painful. But for some women, it is.
For some, there may be pain during sexual entry or thrusting. For others, there is a burning, aching, or throbbing pain with every penetration, even pain that lasts several hours after intercourse.

What could be the reason for this?

Pain can be experienced before, during, or after vaginal sexual intercourse. Also called dyspareunia, painful intercourse occurs at the top of the vagina and intensifies with thrusting. It is characterized by a tearing, burning, or aching sensation.

Painful Intercourse The condition can happen at any age. It tends to occur in women who are still young, but you may also have the condition during or after menopause due to decreased elasticity of the vaginal walls, narrowing of the vaginal opening, or increased vaginal dryness. You may also experience painful intercourse after surgical menopause — the surgical removal of ovaries.

Learn more about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of Painful Intercourse.

When Should You Get a PSA Test – Dr. Yaser Bassel

My name is Yaser Bassel. I’m a board certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute.

In particular it’s important for men with a family history of prostate cancer or Afrtican-American males to start screening at age forty (40). That’s typically done with an annual PSA blood test and also a digital rectal exam (DGA). For the general population, the American Urological Association now recommends screening at age fifty-five (55)

How is a PSA test done?

It’s pretty simple. It involves a simple blood test that’s done once a year and also a prostate exam or a digital rectal exam

Vaginal Dryness: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Has sex been giving you more discomfort than pleasure lately? Do you experience pain, irritation, burning or dryness? Is there bleeding or spotting during or after sex?

If there is, then you might be experiencing vaginal dryness.

For this condition, you may need to speak with a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) physician for help. At Advanced Urology Institute, we have FPMRS physicians at our Fort Myers center to ensure you get prompt attention from a location near you.

But first, what is vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness refers to a persistent irritating, burning, or itching sensation in the vagina. It is due to inadequate vaginal moisture that makes it feel too dry or too tight. The condition is more noticeable during sexual intercourse as it results in pain and discomfort.

Learn more about vaginal dryness, it’s causes, symptoms and treatment.

What is vaginal pain?

If something does go wrong down there, it can hurt a lot, incessantly presenting with a sharp pain or a constant unbearable ache. This pain can interfere with your sex life, your ability to socialize, and ultimately your quality of life.

What is vaginal pain?

It is chronic pain and discomfort in the vagina, usually with no known cause. Although the specific form of the condition varies with the underlying condition, it can be severe and excruciating to the point of interfering with your life. That’s why you need to see a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) physician for help.

At Advanced Urology Institute in Fort Myers, we have FPMRS physicians who ensure you get a diagnosis and treatment for vaginal pain.

Know more about the causes, symptoms and how it’s treated here.

How effective is a vasectomy reversal?

My name is Yaser Bassel. I’m a board certified urologist with Advanced Urology Institute.

When we counsel patients before they get a vasectomy, we do tell them that this is considered a permanent form of sterilization. However vasectomies can be reversed. The vasectomy reversal process is typically one that is not covered by insurance so it can be expensive but it is possible and typically with seventy-five to eighty percent (75-80%) success rates. [While], I do not personally perform the vasectomy reversals themselves, I do have a partner that specializes in that area. So if that is something men are interested in, that is something that is offered by our practice.