This is an enlargement of the prostate gland. In BPH there may be difficulties in passing urine with poor flow as the enlarged prostate can cause a blockage. Patients with BPH also often notice an increased need to empty the bladder at night. Many men over 60 years of age have some BPH. There are many different treatment options available for people with BPH.

This term refers to stones in the urinary system. They form in the kidneys but can be found anywhere in the urinary system. They vary in size but can be very painful. Many of these stones can pass through without help but some require medical intervention. Laser lithotripsy is the most frequently used procedure for the treatment of kidney stones. The stones are broken down into very small particles and removed or are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.

This term means blood in the urine and may be the result of problems with your bladder including cancer, stones or infection, or problems with your prostate.

The risk of developing bladder cancer is increased by smoking, long-term bladder problems and working in industrial occupations. Bladder tumours usually form in cells lining the bladder. Once a tumour begins to enlarge, it may stay in the lining or grow into the wall of the bladder. If untreated, the tumour may then spread to other structures such as lymph nodes. It may also spread to other areas of the body (metastasis). Often the first symptom noticed is blood in the urine. If cancer is suspected, the next step is usually a cytoscopy (a camera to allow the doctor to look inside the bladder). CT or ultrasound scans are also used to scan the body to see if the cancer has spread to other areas. Treatment depends on the size of the tumour and how much it has grown into the bladder wall. Surgery may be considered especially if the tumour is still small. The surgeon can insert a cytoscope through the urethra and cut out the tumour. If the tumour has grown more deeply into muscle, then the surgeon may need to remove the entire bladder (cystectomy). If the whole bladder is removed an artificial bladder will be created on the inside or a urostomy bag on the outside. Radiotherapy (an x-ray beam) can be used as the main treatment in some people. Sometimes, another treatment called BCG may be placed directly into the bladder to kill cancer cells (intravesical treatment). Sometimes chemotherapy is used to attack cancer cells throughout the body (not just the bladder) and help stop the cancer spreading.

Prostate cancer typically consists of many very small, tumours within the prostate. At this stage, the disease is often curable (rates of 90% or better) with standard treatments such as surgery or radiation. Unfortunately, at this stage the cancer produces few or no symptoms and can be difficult to detect. If untreated and allowed to grow, the cells from these tumours can spread to other parts of the body in a process called metastasis. Once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, cure rates drop dramatically. In most cases, prostate cancer is a relatively slow-growing cancer, which means that it typically takes a number of years for the disease to become detectable, and even longer to spread beyond the prostate. However, a small percentage of patients experience more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Treatments options for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation, hormone treatment and chemotherapy. Which treatment is chosen depends on factors such as the stage of the cancer and the patient’s age, other health issues and willingness to undergo certain procedures or therapies – some of which may have side effects.

Urodynamic tests measure the storage of urine in the bladder and the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. Your doctor may want to do an urodynamic test if you are having symptoms that suggest problems with the muscles or nerves of your lower urinary system and pelvis.

A UTI is caused by an infection in the urinary tract. Women get UTIs more often than men. UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Drinking lots of water also helps by flushing out the bacteria. If the infection is in the bladder it is called cystitis. If the infection is in the kidneys it is called pyelonephritis.

Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control is the involuntary passage of urine (passing urine without meaning to). There are many causes and types of incontinence, and many treatment options. Treatments range from simple exercises to surgery. Women are affected by urinary incontinence more often than men.

Urinary retention, or abnormal holding of urine in the bladder, is a common urological problem. Possible causes of acute urinary retention (sudden inability to urinate) include a blockage in the urinary system, stress or nerve problems. Chronic urinary retention (some urine is always left in the bladder after emptying) may be caused by bladder muscle failure, nerve damage, or obstructions in the urinary tract. Treatment for urinary retention depends on the cause.

This is the term used to describe inflammation of the prostate gland. Symptoms can include increased need to pass urine and pain on passing urine as well as perhaps lower back pain. Sometimes this inflammation is due to an infection and an antibiotic will be prescribed, otherwise pain relief medication may be prescribed.

A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure carried out to make a man sterile (he is no longer able to father a child). It is a commonly used form of contraception. A tiny incision (cut) is made in the scrotum and a short length of the vas deferens (the tube carrying sperm away from the testicles where it is produced) is removed and the cut ends sealed.