An individual should seek the expertise of a trained urologist or urogynecologists when he or she is coping with or experiencing symptoms of a condition of the genitourinary tract, including, but not limited to:
First time patients of Academic Urology and Urogynecology of Arizona should prepare and bring the following materials:
Prior to the visit, patients will be asked to complete an intake form. To complete this document in advance of your visit, click here.
Academic Urology and Urogynecology participates with many of today’s leading health plans, including:
There are many conditions that could result in painful urination. An infection of the urinary tract or prostate is a common cause, along with obstructions in the urethra, kidney, bladder, or prostate.
The presence of blood in the urine could be the result of a minor cause or a serious underlying medical condition. To determine the source, a urologist will perform a thorough evaluation. The blood could be the result of an infection, kidney or bladder stones, cancer of the urinary system, or injury.
An individual should seek medical attention when lack of urinary control interrupts everyday activities and degrades a patient’s quality of life.
Yes. There are three types of incontinence: urge incontinence, stress incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Urge incontinence results from an overactive bladder. The bladder contracts involuntarily before a person is ready to urinate. Stress incontinence is the result of the weakening of the supporting tissue and muscles around the urethra and bladder. When a person sneezes, coughs, or strains, incontinence ensues. Overflow incontinence is the result of a blockage in the urinary tract, caused by one of many conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, narrowing of the urethra, urinary retention, etc.
Vaginal or pelvic prolapse occurs when structures, like the bladder or rectum, bulge or protrude into the vaginal wall as a result of the weakening of the supporting tissues. The severity of prolapse varies, but it can cause many unwanted symptoms, including urine leakage, pelvic pain and pressure, difficulty urinating or passing a bowel movement, recurrent urinary tract infections, and painful sexual intercourse. Vaginal and pelvic prolapse is often the result of childbirth, aging, or pelvic surgery.
As men age, the prostate enlarges as a result of the hormone testosterone. This enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As the prostate enlarges, the flow of urine is restricted, causing a number of symptoms, including a weak urine stream and a more frequent need to urinate.
For most men, prostate cancer screening should begin at age 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer or you are of African American decent, screening should start earlier, at age 40. Prostate cancer screening consists of two tests: a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Routine screenings are critical for early diagnosis as prostate cancer rarely produces symptoms until in its later stages.
If you are experiencing sudden and severe pain in the back, side, abdomen, groin, or genitals that increases in waves, you may have a kidney stone. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, the presence of blood in the urine, and frequent and painful urination.
Kidney stones form when there is a prevalence of stone-forming substances in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid and not enough fluid to dilute these substances. To determine the cause of stone formation, patients may undergo a 24-hour urine collection process. Based on the findings, a number of preventative measures can be taken, including: