University of Minnesota Dept of Urology Main Page

Our Doctors' Educational Resources

Everyday health, wellness tips, and understanding how to manage your care.

General Health & Patient Education

Conditions that don't fit into other main groups. A mixed collection of health issues.

Other

Problems that stop urine from flowing freely from your kidneys, bladder, or tubes.

Blockages in the Urinary Tract

Conditions from hard, stone-like deposits in kidneys and urinary tract.

Kidney Stones

Conditions affecting your kidneys and the tubes that carry urine.

Kidney & Ureter Conditions

Medical procedures are planned steps healthcare professionals take to diagnose, treat, or manage various health conditions. These can include diagnostic tests like imaging, therapeutic interventions, or surgical operations, all aimed at improving your health.

Procedures

Conditions that doctors fix, remove, or repair using an operation.

Common Surgical Procedures

Health issues treated by operations and care for healing.

Surgical and Post-Surgical Care

Conditions affecting male organs, fertility, and sexual health.

Men's Reproductive Health

Health conditions affecting sex organs, fertility, & sexual well-being.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Conditions about getting pregnant, preventing it, and reproductive health.

Fertility and Family Planning

Prostate problems that affect men's urination and health.

Prostate Conditions

Cancers that start in the prostate gland, a male reproductive organ.

Prostate Cancer

Tests to find what's wrong or to check for health problems.

Screening and Diagnostic Procedures

Conditions affecting your bladder, kidneys, and how you urinate.

Bladder and Urinary Issues

Bladder problems preventing normal urine flow, requiring a new way for urine to exit the body.

Urinary Diversion

Conditions causing accidental urine leakage or loss of bladder control.

Urinary Incontinence

Problems with bladder, bowel, pain, or pelvic organ support.

Pelvic Floor & Pelvic Health

Conditions impacting nerves, affecting how your body feels, moves, and works.

Nerve Conditions

Infections affecting your urinary tract, bladder, and private areas.

Urinary & Intimate Infections

Health issues impacting women's bodies and well-being, including reproductive health.

Women's Health

Women's reproductive health issues and related conditions.

Gynecological Conditions

Diseases where body cells grow abnormally and can spread.

Cancer

Axionics Lead Removal is a surgical procedure to take out thin wires (leads) previously implanted for Axionics Therapy, which helps manage bladder or bowel control. Reasons for removal often include device malfunction, discomfort, or a change in your treatment plan. Your doctor will discuss if this procedure is right for you.

Axionics Lead Removal

Bladder irrigation is a medical procedure to gently flush your bladder with sterile fluid, usually through a catheter. It's done to clear blockages like blood clots or mucus, or to deliver medication directly to the bladder. This helps ensure proper drainage and can be vital after certain surgeries or for managing ongoing bladder health issues.

Bladder Irrigation Instuctions

Catheter care involves properly maintaining a tube (like a Foley, suprapubic, or Mitrofanoff) used for bladder drainage or access, often after surgery or for certain medical conditions. Diligent care is vital to prevent infections and complications; focus on hygiene, proper positioning, and watching for signs like pain, fever, or cloudy urine to ensure comfort and health.

Catheter Care (Foley, Suprapubic, Mitrofanoff)

Cystoscopy instructions prepare you for a procedure where a thin scope examines your bladder and urethra. This helps doctors investigate symptoms like frequent UTIs, blood in urine, or bladder pain. Following instructions ensures a clear view for diagnosis and a comfortable experience, often involving pre-procedure hydration and post-procedure care.

Cystoscopy Instructions

Learning about a medical condition helps you understand its common signs, potential causes, and general management approaches. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity, can often support overall well-being and treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and care.

General information

Intra-Cavernosal Injection (ICI) Therapy is a prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) that involves self-administering medication directly into the penis. This helps to relax blood vessels, enabling blood flow to achieve a firm erection. Used under strict medical guidance, it offers an effective option for individuals managing ED and aiming to restore sexual function.

Intra-Cavernosal Injection (ICI) Therapy

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in your kidneys, often causing severe back or side pain and sometimes blood in the urine. They can be linked to dehydration or diet. While painful, many pass with increased fluids, or medical procedures may be needed for larger stones. Staying well-hydrated is crucial for prevention.

Kidney stones

A Male Infertility Consultation helps men understand why they are experiencing difficulty conceiving. It explores potential factors like sperm quality, blockages, or hormonal imbalances, considering lifestyle impacts such as diet and stress. The consultation aims to identify causes and discuss general approaches, including lifestyle changes, medication, or procedures, to improve the chances of fatherhood.

Male Infertility Consultation

A pessary is a removable, supportive device placed in the vagina. It's commonly used to manage conditions like pelvic organ prolapse (when pelvic organs drop) or urinary incontinence (bladder leakage). It helps alleviate discomfort, pressure, and improves bladder control, allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle often without surgery.

Pessary

Prostate ultrasound and biopsy are diagnostic procedures used to evaluate prostate health, often due to elevated PSA levels or other concerning findings. The ultrasound creates images, and the biopsy collects small tissue samples for lab analysis. These crucial steps help precisely diagnose conditions like prostate cancer, guiding subsequent treatment decisions.

Prostate Ultrasound and Biopsy Instructions

Self-catheterization (Clean Intermittent Catheterization) is a common, safe method for emptying the bladder when it can't fully drain on its own, often due to nerve issues or blockages. It involves temporarily inserting a small, sterile tube to release urine, helping prevent complications like infections and promoting independence in managing bladder health.

Self-Catheterization (Clean Intermittent Catheterization)

SpaceOAR and fiducials are supportive tools used during radiation therapy, commonly for prostate cancer. SpaceOAR is a temporary gel that creates space between the prostate and sensitive areas like the rectum, reducing radiation side effects. Fiducials are tiny markers that help doctors precisely target radiation to the tumor, improving treatment accuracy and protecting healthy tissues.

SpaceOAR and Fiducial

A straight catheter for a urine sample is a quick procedure where a thin, flexible tube is briefly inserted into the bladder to obtain a sterile urine specimen. This method ensures an accurate sample for testing, especially when other collection methods are difficult or require precision. You might feel a brief pressure or mild discomfort.

Straight Cath for Urine Sample

When preparing for surgery, your medical team provides detailed instructions to ensure your safety and promote a successful recovery. These vital guidelines cover pre-operative steps like diet and medication adjustments, and essential post-operative care. Carefully following these instructions is crucial for the best possible outcome.

Surgery Instructions (all procedures)

"Trial of Void" is an assessment to see if you can urinate effectively on your own, typically after a urinary catheter is removed. This process helps your healthcare team understand your bladder's ability to function independently, guiding decisions for your ongoing care.

Trial of Void

Urodynamic testing is a group of tests that evaluate how well your bladder and urethra function. It's often recommended if you experience symptoms like urine leakage, frequent urination, or trouble emptying your bladder. By measuring how your bladder stores and releases urine, these tests help identify the underlying cause of your urinary concerns, guiding your care team toward the most effective treatment.

Urodynamic Testing

Uroflow and PVR (Post-Void Residual) tests evaluate your bladder function. Uroflow measures the speed and volume of your urine stream, while PVR checks if you fully empty your bladder. These simple tests help doctors understand symptoms like slow flow, frequent urination, or incomplete emptying, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions such as an enlarged prostate or bladder muscle weakness, to guide appropriate care.

Uroflow and PVR (Post-Void Residual) Tests

After a vasectomy, carefully following post-procedure instructions is crucial for a smooth recovery. You might experience mild discomfort; rest, ice, and avoiding strenuous activity are key to minimize this and promote proper healing. Adhering to these guidelines helps prevent complications, ensuring a safe return to your usual activities.

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