Men's Health

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older causing the prostate to “squeeze” the urethra and restrict urine flow. BPH is common, and it affects nearly 40 million men in the United States. In fact, approximately 50 percent of men in their 50s will have BPH. While this is not a life-threatening condition and is not related to prostate cancer, the urinary issues related to the enlargement of the prostate can lead to loss of productivity, loss of sleep, depression and decreased quality of life.

In addition to medication and traditional surgical procedures for treatment, WakeMed also offers minimally invasive, state-of-the-art options for patients dealing with symptoms related to BPH. Determining the best treatment option for you will involve a discussion with your urologist who can make recommendations based on the size of your prostate and the severity of your symptoms. Your provider will also take into consideration other factors such as health, family history and your personal preferences.

Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for BPH

Rezum Procedure

UroLift Procedure

Erectile dysfunction (commonly known as ED) refers to the inability to get or maintain an erection during sexual activity. ED is a common men’s health issue. Some experts estimate that one out of every 10 men is likely to suffer from ED at some point during their life.

Regardless of the cause, the WakeMed urologists will work with you to ensure you get the treatment you need so you can get on with your life.

In the video above, hear about common treatment plans for ED – which often can include a prescription medication, a vacuum erection device, penile injections and implants/prosthetic devices. Erectile dysfunction can be a sensitive subject for men – and for couples as well. Don’t suffer in silence. Speak with a WakeMed urologist to find the best treatment option for you.

North Carolina is home to the highest number of kidney stone cases in the country and summer is prime kidney stone season. The WakeMed Kidney Stone Center is the first comprehensive program of its kind in the Triangle region offering dedicated treatment for patients with kidney stones. Our goal is to provide immediate care – whenever possible bypassing an unnecessary trip to the Emergency Room.

Our team of surgeons and advanced practice providers are available via our triage line 919-350-ROCK (7625). Patients calling the phone line will speak directly with a kidney stone expert. The patient is evaluated, and our team sets them up with the first available appointment – often the same day.

Hear more from Dr. Carmin Kalorin, medical director of WakeMed Urology, in the video below about the important role the Kidney Stone Center plays in diagnosing and treating kidney stones in patients.

Low Testosterone, otherwise known as Low T, is a common condition that affects nearly 40 percent of men over the age of 45. Testosterone is the hormone that helps men maintain and develop muscle mass, red blood cell levels, bone density, sexual and reproductive function and a general sense of well-being. While testosterone levels start dropping around the age of 30, when they get too low, men can start to notice some unpleasant symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, weakness, depression, a decreased sense of well-being, irritability, moodiness, memory loss, loss of libido and more.

The WakeMed urologists offer a wide range of treatment options for low testosterone, most of which involve replacing the lost testosterone. Your provider can discuss the numerous options with you to determine which treatment option would be best.

Infertility refers to the inability to conceive a child after frequent, unprotected sexual intercourse for one year or longer. Male infertility specifically refers to the health issues that lower the chance of a man’s partner getting pregnant. It has been estimated that approximately 15 to 20% of couples attempting to conceive are unable to do so. From of those couples, in approximately 25% of cases, a male factor is solely responsible and in another 25% of the cases, the male factor is at least part of the contributing factor. Meaning – that male fertility can play a role in approximately half of the instances of couples struggling to conceive.

Male fertility can be due to a variety of different medical conditions and other factors including (but not limited to) hormone imbalances, low sperm production, lack of sperm, abnormal sperm function, sperm disorders and/or blockages in the male reproductive organs.

Conditions We Treat:

• Delayed or absent ejaculation
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Low Testosterone
• Premature Ejaculation

Services We Offer:

• Sperm Retrieval
• Vasectomy

• Vasectomy Reversal

  Regardless of your partner’s evaluation, the WakeMed Urologists would recommend making an appointment if you’ve been unable to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse. Identification and treatment of male conditions may improve the male’s fertility which is why it’s important not to delay seeking care.

A relatively rare condition, Peyronie’s disease only affects 6 to 10 percent of men ages 40 to 70. It’s caused by collagen deposition which leads to scar tissue accumulating in the penis which can cause a curvature or bending and loss of length/girth. This can make sexual activity difficult, painful or even impossible. Many times, Peyronie’s is misdiagnosed as erectile dysfunction (ED) – which is actually one of the symptoms of the condition. Other symptoms can include pain having sex and scar tissue that might feel like a flat lump or a band of hard tissue under the skin of the penis.

The providers with WakeMed – Urology have a great deal of experience and expertise diagnosing and treating Peyronie’s disease using the latest and most advanced treatment options. Read more about Peyronie's disease. 

While there is some controversy among medical thought leaders on when and how often to screen for prostate cancer, WakeMed’s urology team follows the American Urological Association guidelines as follows:

• For men under the age of 55 years who are at average risk for prostate cancer, the decision about whether to screen or not should be made after a discussion between the patient and their doctor or urologist. Those who are at higher risk may include men who are African American, and/or those who have a family history of prostate, breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer.
• For men between the ages of 55 and 69, AUA recommends shared decision-making between provider and patient — with a full explanation of the potential harms associated with screening and treatment. Ultimately, this decision should be made based on men’s values and preferences.
• For men over the age of 70, screening is recommended for men who are in excellent health or those whose life expectancy exceeds 10 to 15 years.

Generally, AUA recommends men get screened every two years. Learn more about the screening.

Stress incontinence, or urinary leakage, is the inability to control your urge to urinate — particularly when there’s an external pressure (ie. stress) placed on the bladder or abdomen. Signs of stress incontinence include the involuntary loss of urine during physical activity, such as in the following situations:

• Laughing
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Exercising
• Performing heavy
• During sexual intercourse

While stress incontinence is far more common in women, men who’ve had prostate surgery are at greater risk for it. Other factors that can increase a man’s odds of having stress incontinence include: advanced age, being overweight, history of radiation therapy, smoking or other illnesses that can cause a chronic cough, or engaging in high-impact activities for many years — such as running or jumping.

Treatments for Stress Incontinence in Men

WakeMed Urology offers numerous treatment options for stress incontinence.

• Physical therapy is often recommended as a first option for stress incontinence. Physical therapists have numerous tools to help improve bladder control — from electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapies to exercises designed to improve abdominal and core muscle function.
• Slings are made of synthetic mesh materials and are strategically placed to improve symptoms of stress incontinence. The two primary slings used by WakeMed Urology include the Coloplast Virtue male sling or the Transobturator Advance male sling. These devices are surgically placed by a urologist and the procedure generally takes an hour and is typically performed on an outpatient basis.

Vasectomy is a common surgical procedure for men looking for permanent birth control. With this procedure, a portion of the duct that carries sperm is removed. Every year more than one-half million men in the United States have this minor surgery. Vasectomy is safe, highly effective, and has no impact on erections or sexual performance.