Sometimes, you don’t want to talk about what goes on “down there.” It might make you feel a little uncomfortable, or maybe discussing genitourinary issues just isn’t for you. Despite these hesitancies, maintaining your genital and urinary tract health is necessary for your longevity and overall well-being. For this reason, it’s important to regularly see an urologist. Here, discover five warning signs that your visit to a urologist may be overdue.

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Bloody urine

Consistently seeing blood in your urine may be a sign of bladder or kidney cancer. If you see blood, you should see a urologist as soon as possible.

Testicular pain

If your testicles feel strangely firm or hurt for no particular reason, it’s possible you could have testicular cancer. Your urologist will be able to run tests that can determine whether or not you have contracted a disease.

Recurring urinary tract infections

An infection in your urethra can be irritating and inconvenient. If these occur often, there could be a larger issue at hand. A urologist can prescribe medication to treat your bladder infection or let you know if the issue is more serious.

Sexual dysfunction

If you have a hard time getting an erection, a urologist can help you find possible solutions. He or she may be able to tell you the reason for your dysfunction, as well.

Unusual prostate exam

Firmness or round lumps in your prostate might be a sign of prostate cancer. If your doctor tells you that your prostate exam was abnormal, you should follow up with a urologist to make sure there aren’t any further problems.

If you need to find a urologist in Las Vegas, contact the offices of Michael S. Kaplan. As one of Las Vegas’ top urologists, Dr. Kaplan can get your health back on the right track.

Erectile dysfunction can be an embarrassing and frustrating condition, regardless of how long you have suffered from it. When it comes to sexual problems, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the facts. The more you know about the condition, the better equipped you will be both in the doctor’s office and in your personal life. Here are five facts you should know regarding erectile dysfunction.

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Erectile dysfunction is not a common problem among aging men.

Although this condition is widely seen in older men, that doesn’t mean that it’s a normal part of aging. Many men experience a decline or lack in sexual function as they age, perhaps requiring stimulation for arousal. However, this doesn’t mean that a lack in sexual function is normal.

Erectile dysfunction may indicate other health problems.

Blood flow into the penis prompts an erection, so when erectile dysfunction occurs it could be an indication that there is a problem with the body’s blood flow. Additionally, it may be a symptom of vascular disease.

Medical assistance is available. 

Whether you have erectile dysfunction or suspect that you may be suffering from it, you should know that medical help is available when you need it. Aside from medications, there are injections, implantable devices, and other types of assistance available.

Available medications don’t increase sexual desire.

The goal of pills and medications related to this disorder is to increase blood flow to the penis, which enables sexual intercourse. A man’s ability to have an erection is an indication of his physical and emotional health.

Erectile dysfunction may result from a number of conditions.

Just because you have this problem, it doesn’t mean that you’re no longer attracted to your partner. Although this factor does play a role in the bedroom, there are many other causes of the dysfunction as well. Some common causes include depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking, and certain prescription medications.

When your time in the bedroom isn’t as fulfilling as normal, the problem may be due to erectile dysfunction. There are a lot of myths surrounding this disorder, which is why knowing the facts can help you set the record straight. Whether you believe you are suffering from erectile dysfunction or you want to regain your quality of life, finding the right Las Vegas erectile dysfunction doctor is key.

Men ages 40 and younger who are enlisted in the U.S. military are at an increased risk of having erectile dysfunction when compared to men of similar ages who are not enrolled in the military, according to a new study. The study notes that despite this increased risk for ED in men enlisted in the military, which is three times higher than civilian men, few report receiving treatment.

The study was one of the first to focus on problems with sexual function among male military personnel, and involved 367 enlisted men with ages ranging from 21 to 40. Study participants responded to an online sexual functioning survey over a period of eight weeks in October and November 2013.

The researchers noted that ED was common, and was present in over 30 percent of the study participants, most of whom were generally healthy young servicemen. The study’s goal was to estimate how widespread sexual problems are among men in the military, as well as how it affects their quality of life and to determine any possible barriers for seeking treatment.

Sherrie Wilcox, one of the study’s authors and research assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work in Los Angeles, noted that while the presence of ED is generally higher among younger men in the military in comparison to civilian men of the same age, the rate of ED in military men ages 36 to 40 is almost double the rate of civilian men over the age of 40. Wilcox found a distinctive relationship between problems with quality of life and happiness. Additionally, just 12 percent of men affected with ED reported receiving treatment.

According to Wilcox, reasons for study participants to avoid seeking treatment include social factors and concerns over what other individuals might think. Wilcox suggests that the high rate of sexual problems among men may be related to traumatic events experienced during employment as well as mental and physical health issues. Other problems included problems with relationships, including spouses and significant others. Military men with exposure to traumatic events and physical injuries are at an increased risk of developing sexual problems despite their age.

Men who suffer from ED and sexual dysfunction problems often feel embarrassed and ashamed. Many times, they are also unsure of where to go or who to turn to for help. Finding a compassionate and caring erectile dysfunction doctor is a big first step towards solving the problem.

There is a higher risk of developing kidney failure in diabetics suffering from major depression than in ones without depression, according to a new study. The observational cohort study , the first of its kind to indicate a link between major depressive symptoms and an increased risk of kidney failure in diabetics, is to be published in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

For the study, researchers from the University of Washington focused on 3,886 diabetic patients. Of these patients, 448, or 11.5 percent, suffered from major depressive symptoms, while 327, or 8.4 percent, experienced minor depressive symptoms. Of the patients involved, 87, or 2.2 percent, developed kidney failure after a median follow-up of 8.8 years.

Diabetics with major depression were at an 85 percent increased risk of developing kidney failure once adjustments were made for age, sex, medical history, and body mass index. There was no significant link between minor depression and kidney failure.

According to an article on diabeteshealth.com, experts point to increased levels of stress hormones linked to depression, such as cortisol, to help explain the link between the two conditions. The stress hormones are a factor in elevated blood sugar levels that commonly lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.

Margaret Yu, MD, MS, a researcher involved in the study, explained in a renalandurologynews.com article that although this breakthrough study provides valuable information on its own, “Additional studies are needed to determine whether treatment of depression can reduce the risk of kidney failure.”

Routine visits with Las Vegas urology doctor Michael S Kpalan is useful for watching out for signs and symptoms of kidney failure. The Mayo Clinic notes that common symptoms of acute kidney failure may include decreased urine output, fluid retention, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The same source notes that symptoms of chronic kidney failure often include loss of appetite, sleep problems, weakness and fatigue, and changes in urine output.

Among its many uses, honey is often cited as a natural aphrodisiac. It makes sense, since honey is rich in boron (a substance that promotes testosterone production). It is said that honey can enhance testosterone in the bloodstream, thereby increasing libido both in men and women. Recent research has suggested that it can even help prevent erectile dysfunction!

To learn more about sexual well being, contact Las Vegas urologist Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226 today.

Did you know that men are 70 percent less likely than women to see a doctor when confronted with a medical problem? According to Discovery Fit & Health, this trend is especially popular in men who do not have access to adequate health care coverage. Ignoring medical problems can put men at a higher risk for some medical conditions like kidney stones or prostate cancer.

To learn more about men’s health or to consult a Las Vegas urology expert, contact Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226 today.

Kidney stones occur when the chemicals in urine do not properly break down tiny crystals that form in the urinary tract. If they stay small enough, they will pass through the tract without being noticed. If they grow too large, however, they can become quite painful.

The key to avoiding issues with kidney stones is to maintain a healthy diet, and see your urologist regularly to address any potential problems early. If you suspect you might have kidney stones or would like to know more about urology health, contact Las Vegas urology expert Dr. Michael S. Kaplan at (702) 454-6226.

Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes/tobacco can cause a number of respiratory and cardiovascular problems. A lesser known fact is that smoking can also contribute to a number of urology problems including erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.

If you think you might be at risk contact Las Vegas urologist Michael S. Kaplan today at (702) 454-6226.

You may want to think twice about a nice hot sweat in the sauna next time you’re at the gym. A recent study found that men who went to a sauna for 15 minutes twice a week for three months had a sudden drop in their sperm count after each sweat session. Worse still, normal sperm levels didn’t return for 6 months.

While the study didn’t see any long-term decline in sperm count, researchers advised against repeated sauna trips and other prolonged heat exposure like hot tubs and laptops. Testicles need to be kept at a temperature about 2 degrees less than your core, in order to produce healthy sperm.

Dr. Michael S. Kaplan is a leader in the field of urology and will personally handle your condition with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools coupled with 25 years of experience. To set up a consultation, call 702.454.6226 today.

Main photo by MiikaS