Urinary problems can be present in both men and women. In any case of a urinary problem, whether an individual shows symptoms or not, it’s important to seek professional help. Trust experts at MetroWest Urology and schedule an appointment today to help identify urinary symptoms, diagnose issues, and come to a solution to help ease pain and discomfort.
Common Urinary Issues in Women
Women can face the following urinary issues and infections:
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs)
- Incontinence
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome
Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs)
UTIs are infections that occur within the urinary tract when bacteria enter the urethra.
The common symptoms include painful urination, frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom, lower abdominal pain or back pain, cloudy urine, bloody urine, or urine that has a strong odor. UTIs need to be treated with an oral antibiotic prescribed by a doctor.
Incontinence
Incontinence in women is the loss of bladder control where individuals can occasionally leak urine after coughing or sneezing or not being able to make it to the bathroom in time to release urine. It is often caused by certain drinks and foods, a UTI, or pregnancy. More often this happens as people get older, but if it affects your daily activities, it’s important to contact a professional.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more pelvic organs drop from their original position. While the muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic floor hold them in place, these muscles can be weakened, especially after pregnancy. Some symptoms could include pelvic pressure, lower back pain, urinary changes, or pain with sex.
Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder pain syndrome is chronic pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder area. Women can be at greater risk if they are 30 years old or older, and have another condition that causes chronic pain. While you can’t fix Bladder pain syndrome, you can treat it through diet changes, physical activity, reducing stress, physical therapy, and oral medications.
Common Urinary Issues for Men
Men can face the following urinary issues and infections:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Prostate problems
- Incontinence
- Erectile Dysfunction
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
While UTIs might be more common in women, men can also face these kinds of infections. The common symptoms are the same in men and women which include painful urination, frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom, lower abdominal pain or back pain, cloudy urine, bloody urine, or urine that has a strong odor. All UTIs need to be treated with an oral antibiotic prescribed by a doctor.
Prostate Problems
Prostate problems in men happen when a small gland just below the bladder gets enlarged and causes health issues. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the growth of a prostate gland to an unhealthy size. Prostatitis in men is a condition that causes inflammation of the prostate gland and has symptoms of pain burning sensation, difficulty urinating, or cloudy and bloody urine. It’s important to seek help from a professional as soon as you notice these problems.
Incontinence
Incontinence in men, like women, is the loss of bladder control where individuals can occasionally leak urine after coughing or sneezing or not being able to make it to the bathroom in time to release urine. It is often caused by certain drinks and foods or a UTI. More often this happens as people get older, but if it affects your daily activities, it’s important to contact a professional.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction is the consistent inability to sustain an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse. Different forms of ED include the ability to achieve an erection, difficulty maintaining an erection, or only being able to achieve it for a period of time. However, this is treatable and we will help you find a treatment option that works best for you.
How MetroWest Urology Evaluates Urinary Problems
The first step in evaluating urinary problems is thorough interview and physical exam in order to better understand your urinary symptoms. We may identify medications, habits, or other health problems that are contributing to your symptoms. In some cases, we may advise changes in behavior or medications on the first visit. For more severe problems, or problems which require further investigation, your urologist may recommend further evaluation including:
- Ultrasound – We offer convenient in-office ultrasonography in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Cystoscopy – We are able to examine the bladder for both men and women in a comfortable, office-based setting. We offer several forms of anesthesia which allow patients to undergo this procedure without pain.
- Urodynamics – We offer state-of-the-art urodynamics in the clinic. Urodynamics is the most complete, “gold-standard” workup for severe or complicated urinary symptoms.
Urinary Symptoms
- Frequent Urination
- Urinary Urgency
- Leakage of Urine (Urinary Incontinence)
- Weak stream or Sense of Incomplete Emptying
- Waking from sleep to urinate (Nocturia)
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
- Painful urination (Dysuria)
Enlarged Prostate / BPH
Enlarged prostate a common cause of urinary symptoms in men over 50 years old. We offer all medical, office-based, and surgical therapies.
Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder may lead to urinary frequency and urgency in both men and women, particularly those with diabetes or other health problems. We offer several safe and effective.
Female Urology/Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Weakness of the tissues underlying the urethra or supporting the pelvic organs can cause urinary symptoms in women. Menopausal changes can also worsen urinary symptoms.
Nocturnal Polyuria
Both men and women may produce a large volume of urine at night due to aging or other health problems. Getting up more than twice per night to urinate can lead to decrease in quality of life and increased risk of health problems.
Other Causes
Urethral stricture (scar tissue), pelvic floor dysfunction, obesity, diabetes, and other health problems can also contribute to urinary symptoms.