Encouraging Whole-Body Health
We encourage men to have an annual wellness exam with their primary care physician to ensure whole-body health.
We use these visits to:
- Determine if you are at risk of future health problems
- Educate you about healthy living
- Ensure you have all the necessary vaccines/immunizations
- Refer you to a specialist if needed
- Screen for medical conditions
Men are naturally at a higher risk of developing some health conditions compared to women, especially as they get older. We provide comprehensive men’s health services to prevent and treat the following:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Prostate cancer
- Sleep apnea
Urological Care
Our urologists specialize in men’s health and genitourinary reconstruction surgery and are prepared to handle a wide variety of men’s medical conditions. Because some urologic health conditions can be difficult or embarrassing to discuss, University Health urologists make you feel comfortable talking about any topic related to men’s health and well-being.
First, our doctors will take a full health assessment. Then you may have one or more urologic tests as a preventive screening or to help your urologist determine a diagnosis. These tests might include:
- Bladder ultrasound
- Cystoscopy
- Digital rectal exam
- Lab tests
- Magnetic resonance-ultrasound (MR/US) fusion biopsy of the prostate (UroNav fusion biopsy system)
Among the many urologic health conditions we treat are:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also known as enlarged prostate, is not cancer)
- Bladder dysfunction (voiding dysfunction)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Peyronie’s disease (penile curvature)
- Prosthetics surgery
- Urinary incontinence
Men’s Prostate Health
The prostate is a gland only found in people assigned male at birth. Keeping an eye on prostate health is a crucial part of catching prostate cancer early. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S. after skin cancer.
Signs of prostate cancer include:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Pain in the lower back, hips or thighs
To test for prostate cancer, we offer:
- Fusion-guided biopsy
- Prostate biopsy
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
We are also one of the few medical facilities in the nation to perform the ThuLEP/HoLEP procedures to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
We use minimally invasive endoscopic surgery as often as possible, and our urologists take advantage of robotic surgical techniques when available to offer the most precise results. Our urologists are specially trained to perform some of the most advanced procedures that many other hospitals are not equipped to offer. These include complex tissue transfer techniques such as the harvest of oral mucosa, local muscle flaps and skin grafts.Genital Reconstructive Procedures
Our urologists also offer male genitourinary reconstruction to treat conditions such as:
- Bladder neck contractures
- Concealed penis
- Genital lymphedema
- Recto-urethral fistulae
- Traumatic injuries
- Urethral stricture disease
Heart Health
Men are at a higher risk of having heart problems as they age compared to women. Some of the common heart conditions we treat or try to prevent are:
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
Certain factors can increase your risk of having a heart attack or developing heart disease. Having high blood pressure generally increases your risk of heart disease and heart attack. Heart disease is often hereditary.
You can help prevent these conditions from ever happening by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Doctors recommend:
- Eating low-calorie, low-fat, low-sodium foods
- Exercising
- Getting enough sleep
- Limiting alcoholic beverages
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
Health Screenings
Whether you’re concerned about hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or anything else, we offer numerous health screenings to set your mind at ease. These screenings can also help your doctor determine if you’re at risk for certain medical conditions, so you can catch any health problems early.
Some of the health screenings we offer include:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Colorectal cancer
- Glucose screening for diabetes
- Stress test for cardiovascular health
Weight Loss
To help you achieve your weight-loss goals, our men’s health experts recommend making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious, heart-healthy diet and adding some physical activity to your day. Your doctor can help you develop an appropriate exercise program for your health needs and ability.It may take time to start seeing the extra pounds come off, so don’t be discouraged. However, some patients still don’t get the results they are hoping for, even after making healthy lifestyle changes. For severely obese people, our bariatric surgeons may recommend weight-loss surgery.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupts your breathing while you are asleep. This can prevent you from getting enough oxygen, and may cause you to wake up gasping for breath.
Men who are overweight, snore loudly, have high blood pressure, or abuse alcohol are at a higher risk for developing sleep apnea. A 2008 study on sleep apnea found that 24% of young-middle aged men have sleep apnea, compared to 9% of women the same age.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Problems staying alert
- Sore throat
- Waking up feeling like you are choking or gasping for breath
Sleep apnea can cause daytime fatigue, sluggishness, and stress. It has also been linked to more severe health conditions, like:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased weight gain
- Increased risk of car accidents
- Stroke
If you or your partner suspect you might have sleep apnea, you can schedule a consultation at our Sleep Clinic. Here, we can determine if you need to do a sleep study, which is conducted overnight at a hotel.
