UC Health Urology is one of the leading urology programs in the nation, offering a full range of state-of-the-art treatment for prostate, bladder and kidney cancers and disease, as well as urological trauma. We also have expertise in treating sexual dysfunction and male infertility, urological infections and incontinence.
UC Health Urology is the only program in the Greater Cincinnati region listed among the top 50 urology programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Many of our physicians are recognized by Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors in Cincinnati.
We offer cutting edge and innovative treatments in the following disciplines:
Exceptional Service & Treatment for General Urologic Conditions
While our physicians are trained in highly-specialized areas of urology, we also offer treatment for a wide range of general urologic conditions and disorders. These include:
Our kidneys filter blood and release chemicals into our urine to keep our renal system running properly; however, if certain chemicals build up in the kidneys, those chemicals can crystallize and form stones in the wall of the kidney. There are several types of kidney stones and they come in many different shapes and sizes.
Kidney stones are most commonly diagnosed when the stone breaks away from the wall of the kidney and, following the flow of urine, lodges in the ureter. The lodged stone causes a blockage of urine flow and increased pressure in the bladder. The pain caused by the lodged stone, which is typically felt in the back and lower abdomen/groin, prompts most patients to seek emergency treatment. Other symptoms may include blood in the urine, nausea/vomiting, persistent urinary tract infections and urinary urgency.
A diagnosis of kidney stones will be reached by performing an evaluation of all symptoms along with an examination of the urine to detect blood or evidence of infection and a blood test to determine baseline kidney function. Also, a CT scan or x-ray may be performed to provide definitive proof of the presence of kidney stones.
The results of these tests will help our physicians develop a treatment plan. Kidney stones which are too large to pass on their own, are causing pain that cannot be controlled with oral medication or are associated with infection, fever or vomiting will require treatment. Treatment plans can include ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), open surgery, or a combination of multiple procedures for difficult-to-treat patients. Post-treatment management is also important as there are several ways to help prevent kidney stones from recurring in the future. Below are highlights of each treatment option.
This option is for larger stones that are unable to be removed through less invasive
Treatment consists of the placement of a tube into the kidney through a small incision in the patient’s back – kidney is then accessed with an ultrasonic lithotriptor which vibrates to break the stone into small pieces
CT scan is necessary after procedure to determine if all pieces of the stone have been removed
This option is rare but may be considered in extreme cases
May be needed if the stone is causing bleeding in the kidney
Voiding Dysfunction
Voiding dysfunction is a common condition treated in urology, but also a condition that typically plagues patients for longer than necessary before they seek treatment. Voiding dysfunction describes abnormal bladder function and can affect both men and women. There are multiple kinds of voiding dysfunction, with one of the most common being incontinence, which is the inability to control the release of urine. This condition can present in multiple ways with varying symptoms, such as the release of urine from activity (i.e. laughing, coughing) or the urge to release urine even when the bladder is empty or nearly empty.
UC Health urologist Ayman Mahdy, MD, explains that many people suffer silently with symptoms of overactive bladder (urge incontinence) – intense urgency, increased frequency or even urine leakage – because they are unaware that the problem can be corrected. Our urologists offer several different options for treating voiding dysfunction, ranging from medicinal to surgical treatments.
To assist in the diagnosis and treatment of voiding dysfunction, UC Health provides the option of traditional and video urodynamics studies, which is a series of tests that allow our urologists to gain a more detailed understanding of the function of an individual’s bladder. This option will help to further enhance the level of care available to patients who suffer from quality of life-impacting challenges related to urination frequency, urgency and/or urine leakage. Video urodynamics testing is a critical tool for pinpointing the underlying causes of urine leakage and impaired urine flow in complex voiding dysfunction cases.
In cases where conservative measures fail, we offer a convenient outpatient surgical treatment for patients with overactive bladder that has been shown to improve bladder function for patients with urgency, frequency and/or urge incontinence. The procedure – called InterStim therapy – involves implantation of a small device that regulates activity of the nerves that help control bladder function. The procedure acts like a pacemaker for the bladder and, once implanted, works automatically to provide better bladder function for the patient.
InterStim therapy can be used for patients who experience the following:
Frequent urges to urinate
Inability to hold urine because of urgency
Incomplete bladder emptying
Trouble sleeping due to bladder control issues
The need to use the bathroom more than seven times per day
No to little control over their bladder
Some cases of bladder pain
For more information about InterStim or to schedule an appointment for evaluation, call (513) 475-8787.
UC Health urology offers evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for patients who have experienced injury to their urological system. Our urologists provide medical and surgical treatments for many complex conditions, including the following:
Urethral stricture
Peyronie’s disease (a curvature of the penis)
Urethral disruption injuries from pelvic fracture
Recto-urinary fistulas
Radiation-induced urinary fistulas
Major bladder reconstruction
Major ureter reconstruction
Prostate cancer complications (male incontinence, strictures, fistulas)
At UC Health, our physicians are expertly trained in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, so we are able to offer patients more surgical options to reduce recovery times and regain their quality of life from before their trauma or illness occurred. While minimally invasive surgery is becoming increasingly common in urological surgery, the therapy must be recommended by our urologists based on several factors, including the patient’s overall health and their commitment and ability to participate in his or her rehabilitation.
Prostate Enlargement
Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), is a common, non-cancerous condition with symptoms that have been shown to occur in 50% of men by age 50. This condition is caused by growing prostate cells, which cause the prostate to become enlarged and obstruct the urinary passage, leading to symptoms. The most common symptom for men is the urge to urinate often, as the enlarged prostate pushes on the urethra. Other symptoms can include slow stream when urinating, a sense of incomplete empyting and getting up frequently at night to urinate. In extreme cases, the inability to urinate (urinary retention) may require emergency insertion of a catheter to empty the bladder.
Because symptoms caused by prostate enlargement can often be confused with infection and inflammation of the prostate or prostate cancer, a thorough assessment is needed to distinguish among these conditions so that the proper treatment plan is implemented. Evaluation includes a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and a digital rectal exam to determine the size of the prostate and the presence of nodules that may determine prostate cancer. This will determine if a biopsy is necessary. Other tests performed may include a prostate ultrasound, CT scan or MRI to obtain a more accurate measurement of prostate size. A bladder scan will also allow our urologists to gain a better understanding of bladder function.
Once our urologists have determined that the symptoms are due to prostate enlargement, we offer multiple options to ease symptoms and allow the patient to return to their typical quality of life. Treatment is not always immediately necessary as symptoms for prostate enlargement can “come and go”; however, management with medication is a suitable option in many cases. When necessary, surgery is offered to relieve symptoms by removing the portion of the prostate that is pressing on the urethra and causing the symptoms and discomfort. This minimally-invasive surgical option removes inner tissue of the prostate and provides relief for voiding dysfunction symptoms associated with prostate enlargement.
Discover the latest news on UC Health Urology at UC Health News, your link to the most up-to-date information on education, research and clinical care.
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UC Health Urology
For appointments, call 513-475-8787
UC Health Urology is one of the leading urology programs in the nation, offering a full range of state-of-the-art treatment for prostate, bladder and kidney cancers and disease, as well as urological trauma. We also have expertise in treating sexual dysfunction and male infertility, urological infections and incontinence.
UC Health Urology is the only program in the Greater Cincinnati region listed among the top 50 urology programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Many of our physicians are recognized by Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors in Cincinnati.
Exceptional Service & Treatment for General Urologic Conditions
While our physicians are trained in highly-specialized areas of urology, we also offer treatment for a wide range of general urologic conditions and disorders. These include:
Stone Disease
Our kidneys filter blood and release chemicals into our urine to keep our renal system running properly; however, if certain chemicals build up in the kidneys, those chemicals can crystallize and form stones in the wall of the kidney. There are several types of kidney stones and they come in many different shapes and sizes.
Kidney stones are most commonly diagnosed when the stone breaks away from the wall of the kidney and, following the flow of urine, lodges in the ureter. The lodged stone causes a blockage of urine flow and increased pressure in the bladder. The pain caused by the lodged stone, which is typically felt in the back and lower abdomen/groin, prompts most patients to seek emergency treatment. Other symptoms may include blood in the urine, nausea/vomiting, persistent urinary tract infections and urinary urgency.
A diagnosis of kidney stones will be reached by performing an evaluation of all symptoms along with an examination of the urine to detect blood or evidence of infection and a blood test to determine baseline kidney function. Also, a CT scan or x-ray may be performed to provide definitive proof of the presence of kidney stones.
The results of these tests will help our physicians develop a treatment plan. Kidney stones which are too large to pass on their own, are causing pain that cannot be controlled with oral medication or are associated with infection, fever or vomiting will require treatment. Treatment plans can include ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL), open surgery, or a combination of multiple procedures for difficult-to-treat patients. Post-treatment management is also important as there are several ways to help prevent kidney stones from recurring in the future. Below are highlights of each treatment option.
Voiding Dysfunction
Voiding dysfunction is a common condition treated in urology, but also a condition that typically plagues patients for longer than necessary before they seek treatment. Voiding dysfunction describes abnormal bladder function and can affect both men and women. There are multiple kinds of voiding dysfunction, with one of the most common being incontinence, which is the inability to control the release of urine. This condition can present in multiple ways with varying symptoms, such as the release of urine from activity (i.e. laughing, coughing) or the urge to release urine even when the bladder is empty or nearly empty.
To assist in the diagnosis and treatment of voiding dysfunction, UC Health provides the option of traditional and video urodynamics studies, which is a series of tests that allow our urologists to gain a more detailed understanding of the function of an individual’s bladder. This option will help to further enhance the level of care available to patients who suffer from quality of life-impacting challenges related to urination frequency, urgency and/or urine leakage. Video urodynamics testing is a critical tool for pinpointing the underlying causes of urine leakage and impaired urine flow in complex voiding dysfunction cases.
In cases where conservative measures fail, we offer a convenient outpatient surgical treatment for patients with overactive bladder that has been shown to improve bladder function for patients with urgency, frequency and/or urge incontinence. The procedure – called InterStim therapy – involves implantation of a small device that regulates activity of the nerves that help control bladder function. The procedure acts like a pacemaker for the bladder and, once implanted, works automatically to provide better bladder function for the patient.
InterStim therapy can be used for patients who experience the following:
For more information about InterStim or to schedule an appointment for evaluation, call (513) 475-8787.
Complex urologic reconstruction & urological trauma
UC Health urology offers evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for patients who have experienced injury to their urological system. Our urologists provide medical and surgical treatments for many complex conditions, including the following:
At UC Health, our physicians are expertly trained in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, so we are able to offer patients more surgical options to reduce recovery times and regain their quality of life from before their trauma or illness occurred. While minimally invasive surgery is becoming increasingly common in urological surgery, the therapy must be recommended by our urologists based on several factors, including the patient’s overall health and their commitment and ability to participate in his or her rehabilitation.
Prostate Enlargement
Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), is a common, non-cancerous condition with symptoms that have been shown to occur in 50% of men by age 50. This condition is caused by growing prostate cells, which cause the prostate to become enlarged and obstruct the urinary passage, leading to symptoms. The most common symptom for men is the urge to urinate often, as the enlarged prostate pushes on the urethra. Other symptoms can include slow stream when urinating, a sense of incomplete empyting and getting up frequently at night to urinate. In extreme cases, the inability to urinate (urinary retention) may require emergency insertion of a catheter to empty the bladder.
Once our urologists have determined that the symptoms are due to prostate enlargement, we offer multiple options to ease symptoms and allow the patient to return to their typical quality of life. Treatment is not always immediately necessary as symptoms for prostate enlargement can “come and go”; however, management with medication is a suitable option in many cases. When necessary, surgery is offered to relieve symptoms by removing the portion of the prostate that is pressing on the urethra and causing the symptoms and discomfort. This minimally-invasive surgical option removes inner tissue of the prostate and provides relief for voiding dysfunction symptoms associated with prostate enlargement.
Discover the latest news on UC Health Urology at UC Health News, your link to the most up-to-date information on education, research and clinical care.