Benign Conditions Overview:
Stony Brook Urology provides care for many benign (non-cancerous) conditions of the urinary tract occurring in both male and females. For many, symptoms can be relieved with medications and lifestyle changes. Some conditions may require surgery to ease pain or improve overall quality of life.
Types of Benign Conditions:
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
Overview
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. In men, the prostate gland (which surrounds the urethra) tends to get bigger in men as they get older.
Symptoms
- The need to urinate often, especially at night
- Trouble starting to urinate
- Having a weak urine stream
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. These symptoms can be caused by other problems, so it is important for your doctor to determine if it is BPH or a different urologic condition.
Treatments we offer
- Waiting
- Waiting to see if a patient’s symptoms change / improve over time without treatment. If the condition becomes worse, the patient can chose a treatment option
- Medicine
- Option 1 - Medicine that helps to relax the muscles surrounding the urethra
- Option 2 - Medicine that keeps the prostate from growing or even shrinks the prostate
- In some cases, both types of medicine are used
- Surgical Options
- Greenlight Laser Prostatectomy
- Bipolar and Monopolar Transurethral
- Simple Prostatectomy (open and laparoscopic)
- Urolift
Our BPH Specialist: Howard L. Adler, MD, F.A.C.S.
Helpful Resources on BPH:
Stone Disease
Overview
Kidney stones develop when a substance such as calcium, oxalate, cystine, or uric acid are at high level in the urine. The stone will move through the urinary tract and eventually be passed. If the stone gets stuck and blocks urine from passing, it may result in pain.
Symptoms
- Pain - in the side, lower abdomen, or groin
- Blood in the urine
- Gravel - passing smaller stones in your urine
When to see a doctor
Visit your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above to determine a treatment method.
Treatments we offer
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Motrin, Aleve)
- Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) - high-energy shock waves toward the stone used to break the stone into smaller pieces. Only used for stones 1 cm or less in the kidney and upper ureter
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) - minimally invasive surgery to remove the stone
- Ureteroscopy - Thing scope used to view the kidney stone and remove it or break it into smaller pieces
Our stone disease specialists : David A. Schulsinger, MD, F.A.C.S. and Howard L. Adler, MD, F.A.C.S.
Helpful Resources on Stone Disease:
Male Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Overview
Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur when bacteria gets into the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside). These bacteria infections can occur in either the bladder or kidney. Although UTI's are most common in women, they can still occur in men. The most common UTI cases in men can be seen in those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Symptoms
| Bladder Infection Symptoms | Kidney Infection Symptoms |
|---|---|
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When to see a doctor
Visit your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above to determine a treatment method.
| Bladder Infection Treatments | Kidney Infection Treatments |
|---|---|
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Prostatitis
Overview
Prostatitis is when the prostate gland (only in men) becomes infected or inflamed. Prostatitis can be “acute” or “chronic,” and is usually caused by bacteria.
Symptoms
Acute Prostatitis:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Pain during urination
- Cloudy urine
Chronic Prostatitis:
- Heavy pain during urination
- Need to urinate more often
- Sudden urge to urinate in a hurry
When to see a doctor
Visit your doctor if you are:
- Having pain in your genitals or groin
- Trouble urinating
- Fever or chills
Treatments we offer
- Antibiotics
- If the case is chronic, your doctor might prescribe other medicines
Urethral Strictures
Overview
A urethral stricture is the narrowing of the urethra that can happen at any point from the bladder to the tip of the penis. This condition is more common in men and rare in women and infants.
Symptoms
- Bloody Urine in Semen
- Weak urine stream
- Urine stream spraying
When to see a doctor
Visit a doctor if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms to determine the diagnosis of your condition.
Treatments we offer
- Dilation - Enlarging the stricture through gradual stretching
- Urethrotomy - Using a scope to cut through the stricture with a laser or knife
- Urethroplasty - Surgical removal of the stricture
Helpful Resources on Urethral Strictures:
Male Urinary Incontinence
Overview
Urinary incontinence is when a person leaks urine or cannot control their bladder. This is a common condition; however, it is not a normal part of aging and can be corrected.
Symptoms
Stress Incontinence :
- Leak urine when you laugh, cough, or sneeze
- Common in men after having surgery for prostate disease
Urgency Incontinence:
- Feeling a strong need to urinate suddenly
- Urge to urinate is so strong that you cannot make it to the bathroom in time
Mixed Incontinence: Having symptoms of both stress and urgency incontinence
Incontinence caused by incomplete bladder emptying: Some men cannot completely empty their bladder when urinating caused by BPH.
When to see a doctor
Visit a doctor if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms to determine that cause of the symptoms and how to treat it.
Treatments we offer
Medicines
- To relax the bladder (urgency incontinence)
- To improve urine flow (BPH)
Surgery to:
- Repair tissues supporting the bladder
- Improve flow of urine by removing part of the prostate gland
- Repair muscles that control urine flow
Electrical stimulation to nerves surrounding the bladder
Devices such as:
- Condom catheter - fits over the penis like a condom and urine drips into a bag attached to your leg
- Penis clamp - squeeze penis to keep urine from leaking
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