Urological & Prostate Health
Conditions We Treat
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an aging-related enlargement of the prostate gland. Over 80% of men will develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at some point, and 50% of those men will develop it by the age of 50.
As men age, the prostate continues to grow. When you have BPH, pressure is put on the bladder and urethra, which weakens and irritates the bladder. This often results in frequent urination, an urgency to urinate, decreased flow or feeling like your bladder is still full after urinating.
If left untreated, BPH can lead to incontinence, stones, bladder damage or infection. It is crucial to get treatment to avoid damage to your kidneys or other serious conditions.
Ejaculatory dysfunction occurs when a man has a problem properly ejaculating his semen, either ejaculating too soon, too late, back into his own bladder, or not at all.
Ejaculation disorders, also called aspermia, can be caused by a problem at birth (primary) or by acquired dysfunctions (secondary) after birth (often much later in life), such as disease, injury and adverse drug reactions. The four types of ejaculation dysfunction are premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, and anejaculation.
Prostate enlargement is a very common, non-cancerous condition that can cause urinary and bladder problems in men as they age. If left untreated, it could also cause more serious conditions.
Prostatitis is a swelling, inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It can cause burning or painful urination, the urgent need to urinate, difficult or painful ejaculation, or pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum or in the lower back. It can occur to men at any age and should not be confused with cancer. There are four types of prostatitis:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic prostatitis
An erection problem occurs when a man cannot get or keep an erection that is firm enough for intercourse. You may not be able to get an erection at all. Or, you may lose the erection during intercourse before you are ready. Erection problems do not usually affect your sex drive.
Erection problems are common. Almost all adult men have trouble getting or keeping an erection at one time or another. Often the problem goes away with little or no treatment. But for some men, it can be an ongoing problem. This is called erectile dysfunction (ED).
Erection problems can affect men at any age, but are more common as you get older. If you have trouble getting or keeping an erection more than 25% of the time, you should see your health care provider.
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men - about 1 in 7 will be diagnosed during his lifetime - and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. It is also one of the most treatable cancers, which is why it is crucial to seek annual screening and early diagnosis.
Symptoms are similar to BPH, and some men may not even experience any symptoms. A prostate exam (digital rectal exam) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test are used to screen for prostate cancer. The PSA test measures the amount of a protein in your blood that is only produced by prostate tissue, called prostate-specific antigens.
In Peyronie disease, fibrous scar tissue develops in the deep tissues of the penis. The cause of this fibrous tissue is often not known. It can occur spontaneously. It can also be due to a previous injury to the penis, even one that occurred many years ago.
Men are at higher risk of developing curvature of the penis after surgery or radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
Peyronie disease is uncommon. It affects men ages 40 to 60 and older.
The prostate gland isn’t that big – about the size of a walnut – but it plays an important role in men’s reproductive health. Located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, it wraps around the upper part of the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. Because of its placement, the prostate can affect urination and sexual function. The urology team at SSM Health provides expert prostate care, working with you to find the best individualized treatment for your prostate condition.
Conditions We Treat
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an aging-related enlargement of the prostate gland. Over 80% of men will develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at some point, and 50% of those men will develop it by the age of 50.
As men age, the prostate continues to grow. When you have BPH, pressure is put on the bladder and urethra, which weakens and irritates the bladder. This often results in frequent urination, an urgency to urinate, decreased flow or feeling like your bladder is still full after urinating.
If left untreated, BPH can lead to incontinence, stones, bladder damage or infection. It is crucial to get treatment to avoid damage to your kidneys or other serious conditions.
Ejaculatory dysfunction occurs when a man has a problem properly ejaculating his semen, either ejaculating too soon, too late, back into his own bladder, or not at all.
Ejaculation disorders, also called aspermia, can be caused by a problem at birth (primary) or by acquired dysfunctions (secondary) after birth (often much later in life), such as disease, injury and adverse drug reactions. The four types of ejaculation dysfunction are premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, and anejaculation.
An erection problem occurs when a man cannot get or keep an erection that is firm enough for intercourse. You may not be able to get an erection at all. Or, you may lose the erection during intercourse before you are ready. Erection problems do not usually affect your sex drive.
Erection problems are common. Almost all adult men have trouble getting or keeping an erection at one time or another. Often the problem goes away with little or no treatment. But for some men, it can be an ongoing problem. This is called erectile dysfunction (ED).
Erection problems can affect men at any age, but are more common as you get older. If you have trouble getting or keeping an erection more than 25% of the time, you should see your health care provider.
Certain health conditions, medicines, or injury can lead to low testosterone (low-T). Beginning around age 30 to 40, testosterone levels may start to slowly decrease. This occurs naturally. Low testosterone can affect sex drive, mood, and changes in muscle and fat.
Treatment with testosterone therapy may help reduce symptoms.
In Peyronie disease, fibrous scar tissue develops in the deep tissues of the penis. The cause of this fibrous tissue is often not known. It can occur spontaneously. It can also be due to a previous injury to the penis, even one that occurred many years ago.
Men are at higher risk of developing curvature of the penis after surgery or radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
Peyronie disease is uncommon. It affects men ages 40 to 60 and older.
The four main urological cancers treated are bladder cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Prostatitis is a swelling, inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It can cause burning or painful urination, the urgent need to urinate, difficult or painful ejaculation, or pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum or in the lower back. It can occur to men at any age and should not be confused with cancer. There are four types of prostatitis:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic prostatitis
Connect with a Physician
The decision to have regular screening is a personal choice that depends on many factors, including age, level or risk, and family history. It’s important to speak with your SSM Health provider about any symptoms you are experiencing, concerns you may have, and the potential benefits of regular screening. Your physician can also discuss ways to optimize your health so you can get the most out of life.
Our health care professionals offer the latest in prevention, detection and treatment of prostate-related health conditions. These are some of the most common conditions affecting men - and in many cases when detected early, can be treated. Find a provider to schedule an appointment today to learn more about what you can do to protect your prostate health.
Request a Prostate (PSA) Screening Consultation
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men: about 1 in 7 will be diagnosed. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. It is also one of the most treatable cancers, which is why it is crucial to seek annual screenings.
If you are a male over the age of 50, contact one of our locations to start your screening today.
- SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: call 636-496-5080
- SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis: call 314-209-5232
- SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - St. Charles: call 636-669-3080
- SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis: call 636-625-2662
Note: SSM Health urologists do not accept Cigna Connect Care insurance plans.