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in 2014 we provided
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in new research funding.
Your Urology Care Foundation,
Funding Answers.
Educating Patients.
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The Urology Care Foundation offers free, evidence-based patient
education materials on urologic health to patients, healthcare providers,
and the general public. All Foundation materials are based on the
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r son who has had
Visit UrologyHealth.org for more information
on Surgery for Prostate Cancer and prostate
health issues.
For more copies of this and other
materials about urological conditions,
visit UrologyHealth.org/Order or call
800-828-7866.
There are several ways radical prostatectomy
surgery can be done. All have similar hospital
stays and recovery times.
When is surgery the best treatment?
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The NFL has teamed up with the Urology Care
Foundation to bring you the Know Your Stats
About Prostate Cancer® campaign.
• Your Overall Health and Age. Surgery is
offered to men healthy enough to handle a
major operation and likely to live 10 years or
more.
• Your Personal Wishes. Some men want their
cancer completely removed. Others worry about
how side effects from their treatment could
affect their quality of life.
What are my chances of being cured with
surgery?
If your cancer is confined to the prostate, the
chance of cure with surgery alone at 10 years is
more than 90 percent.
1000 Corporate Blvd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
1-800-828-7866
www.KnowYourStats.org
Facebook.com/KnowYourStats
@KnowYourStats
For permission to reprint all or part of this document,
please contact the Urology Care Foundation.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
© 2015 UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
• Your Cancer Stage and Grade. Surgery is
best for stages T1 or T2 prostate cancer (cancer
confined to the prostate) and sometimes stage
T3 prostate cancer (cancer spread outside the
prostate).
Surgery for
Prostate Cancer
UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
SURGERY FOR
PROSTATE CANCER
Is Prostate Cancer
Screening Right for Me?
Know Your Risk.
Talk to Your Doctor.
Visit KnowYourStats.org for:
• Information on your risk for prostate cancer
• A quiz to rate your urinary symptoms
• Tools to decide if screening is right for you
• Information on treatments and life after
treatment
• Prostate health educational events near you
ORDER
The NFL has teamed up with the Urology Care
Foundation to bring you the Know Your Stats
About Prostate Cancer® campaign.
1000 Corporate Blvd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
1-800-828-7866
www.KnowYourStats.org
Facebook.com/KnowYourStats
@KnowYourStats
For permission to reprint all or part of this document,
please contact the Urology Care Foundation.
Is Prostate
Cancer Screening
Right for Me?
Is Prostate Cancer Screening
Right for Me?
KNOW YOUR PROSTATE CANCER STATS
SHOULD I BE SCREENED FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
• More than 230,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer
this year. It is the 2nd most common cancer in men in the US.
The choice to be screened for prostate cancer is a personal one.
Before you decide to be tested, talk to your doctor about your risk
for prostate cancer, including your personal and family history. Then
talk about the benefits and risks of testing.
• About 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed in his lifetime.
• Prostate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in men.
• Almost 2 out of every 3 prostate cancers are found in men age 65
or older.
If you are age 55 to 69, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer
screening.
Some men are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor
about prostate cancer screening if you are age 40 to 54 and:
Surgery for prostate cancer involves removing the
prostate gland, surrounding tissue and a few lymph
nodes. The entire prostate gland must be removed to
make sure cancer cells aren’t left behind. This procedure
is called a radical prostatectomy or “RP.”
When is surgery the best treatment?
The decision of whether to have surgery can be difficult.
Talk with your doctors and your family as you consider
what treatment is best for you. It is important to consider
the following:
• Your Cancer Stage and Grade. Surgery is best for
stages T1 or T2 prostate cancer (cancer confined to
the prostate) and sometimes stage T3 prostate cancer
(cancer spread outside the prostate).
• Your Overall Health and Age. Surgery is offered to
men healthy enough to handle a major operation and
likely to live 10 years or more.
• Your Personal Wishes. Some men want their cancer
completely removed. Others worry about how side
effects from their treatment could affect their quality of
life.
• have a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer.
DOES A HIGH PSA MEAN I HAVE PROSTATE CANCER?
Not necessarily. Less than one-third of high PSA results are caused
by prostate cancer. A prostate biopsy (tissue sample) is the only way
to know for sure if you have prostate cancer. However, your doctor
may want to repeat your PSA or do other testing.
WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?
Only men have a prostate. This walnut-shaped gland sits below the
bladder. The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries
urine out of your body. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells
from your prostate grow out of control.
I’VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN URINATING.
SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
• You urinate often during the day and/or night.
• If you are African-American, you are more likely to develop
prostate cancer. African-American men are also twice as likely to
be diagnosed with more deadly forms of the disease.
• Your urine flow is weak or slow.
• If your father, brother or other close relative was diagnosed
with prostate cancer, you have a higher chance of being
diagnosed. This is especially true if two or more close relatives
have been diagnosed, or if they were diagnosed before age 55.
If you are at higher risk for prostate cancer, talk to your
• It is hard to wait when you have to urinate.
• You have to push or strain to start urinating.
If your cancer is confined to the prostate, the chance
of cure with surgery alone at 10 years is more than 90
percent.
• Erection Problems (impotence or erectile
dysfunction). Erections recover over the course of 24
months or longer and are, for some men, less rigid and
durable. If problems continue, medications and devices
can help. Your doctor may also prescribe medications
and devices during recovery to help bring back erection
function.
• Bladder Problems (incontinence). Trouble controlling
your urine is often temporary, but can last 6 to 12
months. You could also develop bladder irritation or
infection, urine leakage and blockage of the urine flow.
Physical therapy can improve bladder control.
• Changes in Penis Shape. There is a risk of developing
a curve to your penis or a slight shortening of the
length of your penis.
• Blood Clots in the Leg or Pelvic Veins. This occurs in
a very small group of patients.
• Changes in Orgasm. You may find that there is very
little (if any) ejaculate after surgery, and orgasms may
be less intense. Orgasm intensity may increase over
time.
• Infertility. After surgery, you can no longer father a
child through sexual intercourse. If this is a concern,
talk with your doctor about other options, like artificial
insemination.
Questions to ask the doctor
if you or someone you know
is diagnosed with prostate
cancer:
Q: Howadvancedismyprostatecancer?
Q: Whatisitsstage?(Howfardoesitseemtohave
spread?)
Q: Whatismycancer’sgrade?(Howfastisitlikelyto
spread?)
Q: Isitlikelythatmycancerwillspread?DoIneed
tobetestedmorefrequently?Whatdoexperts
recommendaboutthefrequencyoftesting?
Q: Whataremytreatmentchoices(includingwatchful
waitingandactivesurveillance)?Whatarethe
advantagesanddisadvantagesofeach?
Fact Sheet
DOWNLOAD
Q: Whatarethechancesfortreatmenttocuremy
cancer?
Q: Whatarethechancesofcomplicationsfromeach
treatment?Whatkindsofcomplicationsarelikely
fromeach?Whenaretheylikelytooccur?
Q: Howarepossibletreatmentside-effectsmanaged—
forexample,urinaryincontinenceorerectile
dysfunction?
Q: Howsoonandhowwellwillmyurinaryfunction
occur?
Q: Howsoonandhowwellwillmysexualpotency
recover?
Q: Howmuchwilleachprostatetreatmentcost?
Q: Howmuchwilltreatingpossiblesideeffectscost?
Q: Whattypesofsurgeryareavailable?
Q: IfIchooseatraditionalopensurgery,howlongwillI
needtofullyrecover?
Q: IfIchooseminimallyinvasiverobotic-assisted
surgery,howlongwillIneedtofullyrecover?
Q: Whatisyourexperiencewitheachoftheseoptions?
Q: HowlongwillIhaveacatheteraftertheoperation?
Q: IfIchooseradiationtherapy,howmuchrecovery
timewillberequired?
Q Whatarethepotentialsideeffectsofradiation,
bothimmediatelyandinthelongterm?
Q: WillIneedtotaketimeofffromworkorother
activities?
Fact Sheet
DOWNLOAD
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
at Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Fact Sheet
Q: WhatislikelytohappenifIchoosenotreatment
(watchfulwaitingoractivesurveillance)?How
frequentlywillIneedexaminations?
Q: Followingtreatment,howoftenwillIneed
examinations?
Q: Whatarethechancesofmysurvivalin10yearsfor
eachtreatment?
DOWNLOAD
• You stop and start several times when you urinate.
• You have pain with ejaculation.
If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor about your
www.KnowYourStats.org
prostate health.
doctor about screening.
Intuitive Surgical® proudly supports this community education program.
www.KnowYourStats.org
Surgery for Prostate
Cancer NEW
A fact sheet that reviews different
surgical options for prostate cancer and
what to consider before having surgery.
(Same content as printed trifold above.)
@KnowYourStats
Is Prostate Cancer
Screening Right for Me?
A tri-fold brochure that reviews
different surgical options for prostate
cancer and what to consider before
having surgery.
• Bleeding. You may be asked to donate your own
blood before surgery or receive a hormone to boost
your blood count.
Facebook.com/KnowYourStats
If you are having problems when urinating, your health care provider
may use the PSA test to check your prostate health. Remember,
urinary symptoms like these are usually caused by prostate health
issues other than cancer.
AM I AT HIGHER RISK FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
What are my chances of being cured with
surgery?
What are the side effects of surgery?
How serious your side effects may be is based on your
age and health, and the type of surgery you select. But
you may deal with:
www.KnowYourStats.org
A tri-fold brochure that reviews risk
factors for prostate cancer and possible
benefits and risks of prostate cancer
screening.
• are African-American or
©2014 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
r
Surgery for Prostate
Cancer NEW
Know Your Risk.
Talk to Your Doctor.
The decision of whether to have surgery can be
difficult. Talk with your doctors and your family as
you consider what treatment is best for you. It is
important to consider the following:
k to your doctor about
k for prostate cancer.
rostate cancer
to 54 and:
DOWNLOAD
Surgery for prostate cancer involves removing
the prostate gland, surrounding tissue and a few
lymph nodes. The entire prostate gland must
be removed to make sure cancer cells aren’t
left behind. This procedure is called a radical
prostatectomy or “RP.”
The Urology Care Foundation’s most
comprehensive resource for patients
on prostate health. Reviews prostatitis,
BPH, prostate cancer screening,
prostate cancer treatment options and
information about life after prostate
cancer. Includes a glossary.
© 2014 UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
or prostate cancer is a
ecide to be tested, talk
isk for prostate cancer,
d family history. Then
risks of testing.
What types of surgery are available?
ORDER
or prostate cancer,
t screening.
r Prostate Cancer?
The Prostate Health Playbook
©2015 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
or other close
with prostate cancer,
of being diagnosed.
wo or more close
osed, or if they were
.
UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION
Prostate Health
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
rostate Cancer?
rican, you are more
cancer. Africanwice as likely to be
dly forms of the
PROSTATE HEALTH
A fact sheet that reviews risk factors for
prostate cancer and possible benefits
and risks of prostate cancer screening.
(Same content as printed trifold above.)
A fact sheet that lists questions to
ask your doctor at prostate cancer
diagnosis.
PROSTATE HEALTH
Treatment Fact Sheets
ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE
PATIENT GUIDE
Localized Prostate Cancer
Active Surveillance
“Watchful Waiting”
The goal of active surveillance is to allow men to
maintain their quality of life when the prostate cancer
is slow growing or inactive, while allowing them to
elect active treatment when the disease becomes more
aggressive or begins to grow.
Not all prostate cancers require active treatment,
and not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. The
decision to proceed to active treatment is one that
men should discuss in detail with their urologists to
determine whether active treatment is necessary, or
whether surveillance may be an option.
Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right
for you.
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
The risk of active surveillance is that the cancer could
grow and spread to other parts of the body between
follow-ups, making it more difficult to treat.
www.KnowYourStats.org
Chemotherapy
CHEMOTHERAPY
WHAT IS CHEMOTHERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
In contrast to surgery and radiation therapy that remove,
destroy or damage cancer cells in a specific area,
chemotherapy is a treatment in which drugs circulate
throughout the body in the bloodstream and can kill
any rapidly growing cells, including both cancerous and
non-cancerous ones. Many chemotherapy drugs are
administered directly into a vein through a catheter
while others medications may be taken by mouth.
Not all prostate cancers require active treatment,
and not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. The
decision to proceed to active treatment is one that
men should discuss in detail with their urologists to
determine whether active treatment is necessary, or
whether surveillance may be an option.
treatment for prostate cancer. Now that you know your
stats about the disease, and you’ve developed a solid
game plan with your doctor, it’s time to plan out your
defense for any side effects of treatment. Many men
experience incontinence as a result of prostate cancer
treatment, but most men will ultimately recover urinary
control.
DOWNLOAD
WHAT IS INCONTINENCE? Incontinence is the inability
to control your urine. After prostate cancer treatment,
you may experience leakage or dribbling of urine. Because
incontinence may affect your physical and emotional
recovery, it is important to understand what your options
are.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INCONTINENCE?
There are several different types of incontinence:
• STRESS INCONTINENCE, the most common, is urine
leakage when coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercising.
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
Brief fact sheet that gives an overview
of chemotherapy for prostate cancer
treatment.
• OVERFLOW INCONTINENCE is the inability to empty
the bladder completely, taking longer to urinate and
when you do urinate, it is not a powerful stream.
• URGE INCONTINENCE is the sudden need to go to the
bathroom even when the bladder is not full because the
bladder is overly sensitive.
• MIXED INCONTINENCE is a combination of stress and
urge incontinence with symptoms from both types.
• CONTINUOUS INCONTINENCE, which is not
common, is the inability to control urine at any time.
HOW LONG CAN INCONTINENCE LAST AFTER
TREATMENT? Improvement can take several weeks to
several months. It varies from patient to patient; your
particular recovery could be quick or slow.
HOW DO YOU TREAT INCONTINENCE? Treatment
is based on numerous factors including the type and
severity of your incontinence. There are a variety of
treatment options which can potentially help you regain
complete control:
• LIFESTYLE CHANGES: Modifying your diet, losing
weight and regular emptying of the bladder can
decrease urination frequency.
• MEDICATIONS: Affect the nerves and muscles around
the bladder, helping to maintain better control.
• NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION:
Strengthens bladder muscles.
• SURGERY: Consists of injecting collagen to tighten the
bladder sphincter, implanting a urethral sling to tighten
the bladder neck, or an artificial sphincter device used
to control urination.
There are also many products available that do
not treat incontinence but help maintain a high quality
of life.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS FROM TREATMENT FOR
INCONTINENCE? It is important to know what side
effects you might experience with each of the available
treatment options.
• MEDICATIONS may cause dry mouth and, in rare
cases, constipation, heartburn, blurry vision and rapid
heartbeat.
• NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION may
cause pain or infection and it is possible for the device
to move.
• SURGERY can cause various side effects depending
on the type of surgery. The effectiveness of collagen
injections can decrease over time, making future
injections necessary; implantation of a urethral sling
can cause infection and/or the sling could erode; and
an artificial sphincter may cause pain and/or require
replacement after several years.
It is always important to speak with your doctor if you
are experiencing any urinary issues after your prostate
cancer treatment. As a team, you can determine what
will be best for you.
Not all prostate cancers require active treatment,
and not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. The
decision to proceed to active treatment is one that
men should discuss in detail with their urologists to
determine whether active treatment is necessary, or
whether surveillance may be an option.
Choosing the right treatment for prostate cancer
is an individual decision that patients should make
together with their doctor. No one treatment is
perfect for every man.
www.KnowYourStats.org
HORMONAL THERAPY
Patient resources supported by an educational grant from American Medical Systems, Inc.
therapy has also been linked to heart disease and
increased risk of heart attack, as well as potential
increased risks of developing diabetes. If your cancer
is resistant to hormonal treatments, you and your
doctor may discuss chemotherapy, which consists of
single drugs or a combination of several medications
aimed at killing the cancer cells.
Reducing testosterone production can be achieved
surgically or through the use of medications.
Not all prostate cancers require active treatment,
and not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. The
decision to proceed to active treatment is one that
men should discuss in detail with their urologists to
determine whether active treatment is necessary, or
whether surveillance may be an option.
• Surgery: Testosterone levels can be reduced by
removing the testicles, a procedure called an
orchiectomy.
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Medication to reduce the production of testosterone:
Injecting medications called luteinizing hormonereleasing hormones (LH-RHs) suppresses the body’s
natural production of testosterone.
• An additional option that blocks the affects of
all male hormones: In this treatment option, an
orchiectomy or LH-RH treatment is combined with
medications called non-steroidal anti-androgens—
drugs that block testosterone from the prostate
and adrenal gland from reaching cancer cells. This
combination adds additional block aid to male
hormone effects on the growth of prostate cancer
cells.
Choosing the right treatment for prostate cancer
is an individual decision that patients should make
together with their doctor. No one treatment is
perfect for every man.
Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right
for you.
For men whose prostate cancer is more advanced and
has spread to other parts of the body, hormonal therapy
can help slow down the spread of cancer.
Side effects can include nausea and vomiting, hot
flashes, anemia, lethargy, osteoporosis, swollen and
tender breasts and erectile dysfunction. Hormonal
www.KnowYourStats.org
Hormonal Therapy
KNOW YOUR STATS ABOUT
LIFE AFTER PROSTATE CANCER
After prostate cancer, men can experience various side
effects including ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED). Knowing
your stats about prostate cancer also means working
out a game plan with your doctor regarding any possible
side effects of treatment, including ED. Your doctor can
help you understand the causes of ED, and therapies
that could help you recover. The following questions are
frequent concerns of men:
WHAT CAUSES ED AFTER PROSTATE CANCER
TREATMENT? Surgery may damage the nerve bundles
that control blood flow to the penis, causing ED. Nerves
involved in the erection process surround the prostate
gland. While most surgeons try to perform a nervesparing procedure, it is not always possible. In addition,
there could be a decreased amount of blood flowing to
the penis after treatment.
HOW LONG CAN ED LAST AFTER TREATMENT? Men
can experience ED issues for varying periods of time.
However, the ability to recover is dependent in part
upon how well you were able to perform sexually
before surgery, as well as the type of treatment you had.
HOW WOULD I KNOW IF I HAVE ED? ED is characterized
by the inability to achieve and maintain an erection for
satisfactory sexual performance. To properly diagnose
ED, your physician will perform a physical examination,
various laboratory tests and discuss your medical and
sexual history.
HOW IS SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION TREATED? The
following are possible treatment options for ED:
• ORAL MEDICATIONS: Improve blood flow to the
penis.
• VACUUM PUMPS: Mechanical devices that, when
placed over the penis, create a vacuum and draw blood
into the penis, creating an erection.
• INJECTIONS: Medication is injected into the penis
to allow for more blood flow, which creates an
erection.
• PENILE IMPLANT: For persistent and permanent
ED, a surgical procedure places a device in the
erectile tissue of the penis to inflate and deflate
the implant.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS FROM TREATMENT
FOR ED? Each treatment has side effects. Speak with
your doctor about which treatment is best for you
and the possible side effects from each.
• ORAL MEDICATIONS: Common side effects
include headache, upset stomach, nasal congestion,
problems with vision and prolonged erections
(lasting more than four hours). If you are taking
other medications such as nitroglycerin or a longacting nitrate to treat chest pain, you should not
take an oral ED medication because it can cause
low blood pressure.
• VACUUM PUMPS: Can cause penile tissue damage
after prolonged usage.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill prostate
cancer cells. Radiation treatment is given either
externally (outside the body) or internally (inside the
body). Treatment type depends on the type of prostate
cancer, overall health, stage and grade of cancer, life
expectancy, and personal choice.
IS RADIATION THERAPY A GOOD CHOICE FOR ME?
Radiation therapy can be a good choice for:
• Men whose prostate cancer is only in their prostate
• Men whose prostate cancer has penetrated to
organs and tissue near the prostate and who are
using hormone therapy
• Men whose prostate cancer has recurred (returned
after treatment)
• Men with advanced prostate cancer, to reduce
symptoms caused by their tumor
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
WHAT IS EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY?
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) sends a targeted
beam of radiation to the prostate. Before the first
treatment, your medical team will take detailed images
of your prostate. This will help them to know how
much radiation is needed and where to target it. Your
medical team will work to limit the radiation to organs
and tissues not affected by the cancer. This also helps
reduce common side effects such as bowel and bladder
problems and sexual dysfunction.
The benefit of EBRT is it does not require any surgery
or anesthesia. Each radiation treatment lasts only a few
minutes. It is done once a day, five days a week for seven
to eight weeks. However, you may not see any side
effects until several weeks or months after treatment.
www.KnowYourStats.org
DOWNLOAD
Brief fact sheet that gives an overview
of hormonal therapy for prostate
cancer.
Life After Prostate Cancer:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Fact Sheet
• INJECTIONS: You can experience pain, scarring or
bruising at the site of injection.
• PENILE IMPLANTS: Side effects can include
infection at the site of the implant, erosion of
the device, mechanical failure and/or possible
difference in the length of your penis.
It is always important to speak with your doctor if
you are experiencing any urinary issues after your
prostate cancer treatment. As a team, you can
determine what will be best for you.
DOWNLOAD
Touchdown time – you’ve survived the biggest game of
your life, and there is so much to live for!
www.KnowYourStats.org
Fact sheet with information about
treating ED after prostate cancer
treatment.
Radiation Therapy
RADIATION
WHAT IS RADIATION THERAPY FOR PROSTATE
CANCER?
Fact sheet with information about
treating incontinence after prostate
cancer treatment.
DOWNLOAD
Patient resources supported by an educational grant from American Medical Systems, Inc.
WHAT IS HORMONAL THERAPY FOR PROSTATE
CANCER? Prostate cancer cells rely on the male
hormone testosterone to help them grow. Hormonal
therapy for prostate cancer is a type of drug treatment
used to reduce testosterone in the male to very low
levels. Hormonal therapy reduces symptoms and
prevents further growth.
DOWNLOAD
www.KnowYourStats.org
Brief fact sheet that gives an overview
of cryosurgery for prostate cancer
treatment.
Due to recent advances with smaller needles and
computer guided programs to insert the needles, the
procedure has become much more effective and offers
patients an outpatient treatment. New technological
advances have significantly reduced the rate of
complications. However, side effects can include pelvic
pain, stricture, incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Fact Sheet
Touchdown time – you’ve survived the biggest game of
your life, and there is so much to live for!
Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right
for you.
Cryosurgery may be suitable for patients who have
cancer that is confined to the prostate gland.
Life After Prostate
Cancer: Incontinence
• KEGEL EXERCISES: Strengthen your bladder control
muscles.
Cryosurgery
CRYOSURGERY
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
INCONTINENCE can sometimes occur as a result of
Talk to your doctor about which treatment is right
for you.
www.KnowYourStats.org
In most cases, the outpatient procedure can be
performed in fewer than two hours. The patient is
usually discharged from the recovery room with a
catheter in place for drainage, which is removed once
prostate swelling has gone down (anywhere from several
days to several weeks).
KNOW YOUR STATS ABOUT
LIFE AFTER PROSTATE CANCER
Choosing the right treatment for prostate cancer
is an individual decision that patients should make
together with their doctor. No one treatment is
perfect for every man.
The most common side effects of chemotherapy are
fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, taste
changes and a decrease in blood cell counts that result
in an increased risk of infections. To minimize the side
effects, chemotherapy drugs are carefully monitored
according to the amount and number of times they are
administered by your physician. Supportive medication
is also given to further help offset the side effects
caused by the drugs. Most side effects disappear once
chemotherapy is stopped.
WHAT IS CRYOSURGERY FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
Cryosurgery or cryoablation is a treatment in which
cancer cells are killed by freezing the prostate
gland. During this procedure, your doctor will use
an ultrasound image to place small needles into the
prostate. A cold gas is placed into these needles,
causing the prostate, tumor and surrounding tissue to
freeze. After each freezing process (there are usually
two), the tissue is able to thaw; this repeated freezing
and thawing cycle kills the cancer cells.
A 12-page guide to help patients
understand diagnosis and treatment of
localized prostate cancer.
Brief fact sheet that gives an overview
of active surveillance for prostate
cancer treatment.
Active surveillance may be a suitable option for men
who are not experiencing symptoms, or when the
cancer is not expected to grow at an aggressive rate.
Active surveillance can also be considered for men who
are older or have other serious health conditions, which
can make the cancer more difficult to treat immediately.
Often, chemotherapy is not the primary therapy for
prostate cancer patients, but for men with advanced
stages of prostate cancer, or whose cancer has
metastasized, or spread from the prostate gland to
other parts of the body.
DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD
Choosing the right treatment for prostate cancer
is an individual decision that patients should make
together with their doctor. No one treatment is
perfect for every man.
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
cancers require active treatment, and not all prostate
cancers are life-threatening. If you are diagnosed with
a very early stage of prostate cancer, your doctor may
recommend undergoing “active surveillance,” also called
“watchful waiting.” Active surveillance is a type of close
follow-up for men with prostate cancer. This follow-up
usually involves regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
tests, digital rectal examinations (DREs) and possible
prostate biopsies. If these periodic tests show that your
cancer is progressing, you and your doctor may begin to
discuss other forms of treatment.
©2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
WHAT IS ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE? Not all prostate
Localized Prostate
Cancer Patient Guide
WHAT IS INTERNAL RADIATION THERAPY?
Internal radiation therapy is also known as
brachytherapy. With brachytherapy, radioactive
material is placed into the prostate using needles or
a catheter. There are two types of brachytherapy:
low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy and high dose
rate (HDR) brachytherapy.
DOWNLOAD
In LDR brachytherapy, a doctor uses a needle to
insert radioactive “seeds” about the size of a rice
grain into the prostate. These seeds send out
radiation, killing the prostate cancer cells nearby.
In LDR the seeds are left in the prostate even after
treatment is finished.
In HDR brachytherapy, your doctor will insert
radiation into your prostate using a catheter. This
catheter may remain in your body until treatment is
complete. But the radiation source is only inserted
in your prostate temporarily. Once your treatment is
finished, all radioactive material is removed.
Surgery and anesthesia are required for both LDR
and HDR brachytherapy. In addition, some men may
need to stay in the hospital overnight to complete
their treatment. The most common side effect of
brachytherapy is blood in the urine after treatment.
That should last only a few weeks. One side
effect of LDR brachytherapy is that the seeds may
continue to give off radiation after surgery. Men who
have brachytherapy may have bowel and bladder
problems. Urinary problems other than incontinence
also occur, but not in most men. Some men also
have sexual dysfunction problems, which can occur a
few weeks to months after treatment.
Choosing the right treatment for prostate cancer is
a personal decision. You should make your decision
with the help and support of your doctor and family.
No treatment option is perfect for every man.
Whatever choice you make, it should be the right
one for you and your life.
Brief fact sheet that gives an overview
of radiation therapy for prostate cancer
treatment.
Order our print materials ORDER
Download and print DOWNLOAD
UrologyHealth.org/Order
IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT OAB
Do You Have an Overactive
Bladder (OAB)?
Do you have
an Overactive
Bladder (OAB)?
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Frequently Asked Questions about
Overactive Bladder
What is Overactive Bladder (OAB)?
If you live with OAB, you may also:
How common is OAB?
Who is at risk for OAB?
Food and drinks that can bother your bladder
(like caffeine, alcohol and very spicy foods) may
make OAB symptoms worse.
Fact Sheet
u Wake up at night to urinate: Waking from
sleep to go to the bathroom more than once a
night is another symptom of OAB.
As you grow older, you’re at higher risk for
OAB. But no matter what your age, there are
treatments that can help.
What causes OAB?
OAB can happen when nerve signals between
your bladder and brain tell your bladder to
empty even when it isn’t full. OAB can also
happen when the muscles in your bladder are
too active. Either way, your bladder muscles
“contract” to pass urine before they should.
These contractions cause the sudden, strong
urge to urinate.
ORDER
How can OAB affect my health and my life?
OAB symptoms may make it hard to get through
your day without many trips to the bathroom.
You may even cancel activities because you’re
afraid of being too far from a restroom.
What is the major symptom of OAB?
©2012 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
A tri-fold brochure that explains
Overactive Bladder symptoms at a sixthgrade reading level.
IT’S TIME
u Urinate frequently: You may also need to go
to the bathroom many times during the day.
The number of times someone urinates varies
from person to person. But many experts
agree that going to the bathroom more than
eight times in 24 hours is “frequent urination.”
OAB is common. It affects millions of Americans.
As many as 30 percent of men and 40 percent
of women in the United States live with OAB
symptoms.
DOWNLOAD
“OAB? What’s that?”
TO TALK
u Leak urine (incontinence): Sometimes people
with OAB also have “urgency incontinence.”
This means that urine leaks when you feel
the sudden urge to go. This isn’t the same as
“stress urinary incontinence” or “SUI.” People
with SUI leak urine while sneezing, laughing or
doing other physical activities. (You can learn
more about SUI at UrologyHealth.org/SUI.)
Overactive Bladder (OAB) isn’t a disease. It’s the
name of a group of urinary symptoms. The most
common symptom of OAB is a sudden urge to
urinate that you can’t control. Some people will
leak urine when they feel this urge. Having to
urinate many times during the day and night is
another symptom of OAB.
Both men and women are at risk for OAB.
Women who have gone through menopause
(“change of life”) have a higher than normal risk.
Men who have had prostate problems also seem
to have an increased risk for OAB. People with
diseases that affect the brain or nervous system,
such as stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS), are at
high risk for OAB.
ABOUT OAB
OAB Frequently
Asked Questions
ABOUT OAB
The major symptom of OAB is a sudden, strong
urge to urinate that you can’t control. This “gotta
go” feeling makes you fear you will leak urine
if you don’t get to a bathroom right away. This
urge may or may not cause your bladder to leak
urine.
A fact sheet that answers your patients’
frequently asked questions about OAB.
This piece is also formatted for easy
downloading and printing yourself.
OAB Patient Guide
A PATIENT’S GUIDE
Millions live with
Overactive Bladder.
Get help and break free!
ORDER
DOWNLOAD
OAB Talking to Your Doctor
ABOUT OAB
IT’S TIME
TO TALK
ABOUT OAB
My Bladder Diary
Also available online at UrologyHealth.org/OABTools
ABOUT OAB
Keeping a daily Bladder Diary will help you and your health care professional better understand your
Overactive Bladder (OAB) symptoms. See instructions on the back of this page.
Talking with Your Healthcare Professional
about Overactive Bladder
Fact Sheet
u Take notes: Bring a pad of paper and a pen to
take notes.
Are you having urinary problems, but don’t know
what to tell your healthcare professional? You may
have Overactive Bladder—and you aren’t alone.
Millions of people live with urinary problems for
years without asking for help. Don’t wait. Learn
more about Overactive Bladder (OAB), and make
an appointment with your healthcare professional.
Then start talking!
u Speak freely: Tell your healthcare professional
about your symptoms. You may be
embarrassed; but remember, your healthcare
professional is used to hearing about all kinds
of problems.
u Talk about how your symptoms have changed
your life: Tell your healthcare professional
not only what symptoms you have, but how
they have affected your everyday life. This
information can help you and your healthcare
professional decide which treatment choices
could be best for you. Before your visit, ask
yourself these questions and share your
answers with your healthcare professional:
Here are some tips to help you get started:
u Be prepared: Before your visit with your
healthcare professional, gather some
important information. Bring a list of the
prescription drugs, over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins and/or herbs you take.
And make a list of all your past and current
illnesses or injuries. You may also want to
go to ItsTimeToTalkAboutOAB.org and take
the “Think You Have OAB?” Quiz. Bring the
results to your visit to help you discuss your
symptoms with your healthcare professional.
n
u Bring a friend: If you are comfortable, ask
a relative or friend to go with you to your
appointment. An “appointment buddy” can
help remind you of things you may have
forgotten to ask, and be a second set of ears
to help you remember what your healthcare
professional said.
©2012 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation’s most comprehensive
patient resource on Overactive Bladder,
which includes all information found
in the other Overactive Bladder pieces.
Includes a glossary.
ORDER
Are my symptoms stopping me from
enjoying activities outside of my home?
n
Am I afraid to be too far away from a
restroom?
n
Have my symptoms changed my
relationships with friends or family?
n
Do my symptoms make it hard to get a good
night’s sleep?
u Ask questions: Understanding more about OAB
is the best way to take control of the problem.
A visit to your healthcare professional is the
right time to ask questions. Use the list of
questions on the back of this page as a guide.
u Introduce the topic: If your healthcare
professional doesn’t ask you about your
OAB symptoms, bring the topic up yourself.
Don’t wait until the end of your visit. Start
talking early so there will be plenty of time for
questions. If you see a nurse first, talk about
your symptoms even before your doctor
enters the exam room.
2-3 p.m.
soda
12 oz.
can
Trips to the bathroom
How many
times?
44
How much
urine?
about 8 oz.
Accidental
leaks
Did you feel
a strong
urge to go?
What were you
doing at the
time?
How much?
Yes / No
Sneezing,
exercising, etc.
yes - large
amount
yes
sitting at computer
©2014 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
Example
How
much?
OAB Bladder Diary
Copy this sheet to record as many days as necessary.
ORDER
DOWNLOAD
An assessment tool that allows patients
to record how much liquid they drink,
how often they urinate and when they
experience urine leakage. This piece is
also formatted for easy downloading
and printing yourself.
OAB Quiz
Think You Have Overactive Bladder?
ABOUT OAB
Do you think you have Overactive Bladder? Millions of men and women live with Overactive Bladder.
This quiz will help you measure which Overactive Bladder (OAB) symptoms you have and how severe
those symptoms are. Base your answers on the past month.
(Circle the response that best answers each question)
About
once a
day
About
three
times a
day
half the
time
3
4
3
4
5
¼ cup
Entire
bladder
Symptom
Questions
Not at all
Occasionally
1. Urgency – How often
do you have a strong,
sudden urge to urinate
that makes you fear you
will leak urine if you
can’t get to a bathroom
immediately?
0*
1
2. Urgency
Incontinence – How
often do you leak urine
after feeling an urge to
go? (whether you wear
pads/ protection or not)
0
1
2
Drops
1 Teaspoon
1 Tablespoon
2
3
None
3. Incontinence – How
much urine do you
think usually leaks?
(whether you wear pads/
protection or not)
4. Frequency – How
often do you urinate
during the day?
5. Wake to urinate –
How many times do
you usually get up each
night to urinate, from
when you went to bed
until you got up in the
morning?
©2012 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
Drinks
What
kind?
2
About
Almost
always
5
0
1
1-6 times
7-8 times
0
1
2
3
4
5
None
1 time
2 times
3 times
4 times
4
5 times or
more
0
1
2
3
4
5
9-10 times 11-12 times 13-14 times
5
15 or more
times
TOTAL SYMPTOM SCORE
(Add score from questions 1+2+3+4+5) =
0 = no symptoms
25 = most severe symptoms
*If you score 0 on question 1, you probably don’t have OAB.
Millions live
with Overactive
Bladder. Get help
and break free!
IT’S TIME
TO TALK
ABOUT OAB
DOWNLOAD
A fact sheet with tips for OAB patients
on how to prepare for an appointment,
and what questions to ask. This piece
is also formatted for easy downloading
and printing yourself.
u Talk about follow-up care: Finally, ask your
healthcare professional when you should
make a second appointment. And ask what
you should bring with you to that visit.
Date: ______________________________________
Time
DOWNLOAD
OAB can get in the way of your work, social life,
exercise and sleep. Your symptoms may make
you feel embarrassed and afraid of being wet in
public. You may be tired from waking at night or
SCORE
ORDER
DOWNLOAD
An assessment tool that allows patients
to score their OAB symptoms. This piece
is also formatted for easy downloading
and printing yourself.
OAB Rack Card
ORDER
A promotional piece about Overactive
Bladder for waiting rooms and display
racks.
IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT SUI
A PATIENT’S GUIDE
1 in 3 women
experience
Stress Urinary
Incontinence.
A Patient’s Guide to Stress
Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
ORDER
It’s tIme
to talk
about suI
SUI Monograph UPDATED
A MONOGRAPH FROM THE UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION
DOWNLOAD
Stress Urinary Incontinence
DOWNLOAD
An expert panel review of the scientific
literature and clinical guidelines
concerning SUI.
The Foundation’s most comprehensive
patient resource on SUI, including an
overview of symptoms and treatment
options.
My Bladder Diary
Keeping a daily bladder diary will help you and your health care provider determine whether or not
you experience Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).
SUI Bladder Diary
Date: ______________________________________
Time
Drinks
What
kind?
Doing the Research
Before you visit with your health care provider, you may want to research Stress Urinary Incontinence
(SUI). We’ve provided a number of online resources on UrologyHealth.org to assist you in finding
helpful information.
Understanding SUI is the first step toward discussing it with your doctor.
Starting the Conversation
In the course of a normal exam, SUI is not likely to come up. So it’s important to initiate the conversation.
That way, your health care provider can diagnose the condition and help you understand your treatment
and management options.
Typically, women wait until the end of their office visit to broach the subject. Bringing up SUI at the
beginning of your visit will ensure that there’s enough time for an adequate conversation – and help you
get any anxiety over with quickly.
Here are a few things you could say:
u
“I’m having a bladder control problem. Are you the right person to talk to?”
u
“I’ve noticed that when I cough, sneeze or exercise (or whatever the activity may be),
a little urine comes out. Can you help me?”
u
“I’m uncomfortable talking about this, but I’ve noticed some urine loss during physical activity.
What do you suggest?”
If your health care provider is experienced in SUI, he/she can perform basic tests and suggest lifestyle
changes that may help reduce urine loss.
Fact Sheet
Remember, millions of women experience SUI. If you’re one of them, it’s time to get the help you need.
For more copies of this and other materials about SUI, incontinence and other urologic conditions, visit UrologyHealth.org/Order
© 2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
or call 1-800-828-7866..
2-3 p.m.
soda
How
much?
12 oz.
can
How many
times?
44
How much
urine?
about 8 oz.
Did you feel
a strong
urge to go?
How much?
yes - large
amount
Yes / No
No
What were you
doing at the
time?
Sneezing,
exercising, etc.
Laughing
Print and copy this sheet to record as many days as necessary.
If your health care provider isn’t the right person to speak with, just ask for a referral to a urinary
incontinence specialist, who can perform specialized tests and confirm your diagnosis.
1 in 3 women will experience SUI in their lifetime. Talk to your doctor and get the help you need.
Example
Accidental
leaks
© 2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
Talking to Your Doctor About SUI
Talking to Your
Doctor about SUI
Trips to the bathroom
ORDER
DOWNLOAD
For more information, contact:
Urology Care Foundation™
1000 Corporate Blvd.
Linthicum, MD 21090
1-800-828-7866
UrologyHealth.org
DOWNLOAD
An assessment tool that allows patients
to record how much liquid they drink,
how often they urinate and when they
experience urine leakage.
A fact sheet with tips for SUI patients
on how to prepare for an appointment,
and what questions to ask. This piece
is also formatted for easy downloading
and printing yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Stress Urinary Incontinence
What is Stress Urinary Incontinence?
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a common medical condition that involves the involuntary loss of
urine that occurs when pressure on the bladder is increased during physical movement of the body.
How do I know if I have SUI?
When you leak urine involuntarily, whether loss of only drops to tablespoons or more, this is SUI. If it is
mild incontinence, you will have light leakage during rigorous activity such as playing sports or exercising,
or when you sneeze, laugh, cough, or lift something. If it is moderate or more severe incontinence, you
will leak urine even with low impact movement such as standing up, walking, or bending over.
Frequently Asked
Questions - SUI
How is SUI different from Urge Incontinence, or Overactive Bladder (OAB)?
SUI is different from Overactive Bladder (OAB, also known as Urge Incontinence), which is the strong,
sudden urge to urinate at unexpected times, such as during sleep, while SUI is leakage. (This fact sheet
does not pertain to OAB.)
How common is SUI?
Estimates of the number of women experiencing SUI vary widely because there is no one definition of
the condition. However, urinary leakage is a common medical condition occurring in about one out of
every three women at some time in their lives. Among these women, about six in ten have both SUI and
OAB. Of this group, about one in three have SUI. Approximately one-third of women age 30 to age 60,
and one-third of women under the age of 30, experience urinary incontinence.
Fact Sheet
How did I get SUI?
SUI is more common among older women, but is not caused simply by aging. It occurs in younger, active,
healthy women as well. Caucasian or Hispanic race, being obese, smoking, and chronic cough (which
places frequent strain on the pelvic floor muscles that can, in turn, cause bladder leakage) are risk factors
for development of SUI. Pregnancy and childbirth increase the chances of SUI because they may stretch,
weaken, or damage the pelvic floor muscles, resulting in bladder leakage. Nerve injuries to the lower
back and pelvic surgery are also potential causes of SUI because they weaken the pelvic floor muscles.
© 2013 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
Why does it matter if I have SUI?
SUI can interfere with your life and day-to-day decisions about your social activities. You may be
embarrassed by your body and feel you can’t talk about urinary leakage to your friends and loved ones.
SUI can affect the relationship with your partner, especially because you may be embarrassed about
having sex. This can lead to feeling isolated and even hopeless.
ORDER
DOWNLOAD
To know if SUI is a problem for you, ask yourself: Is SUI limiting my daily activities? Have I stopped playing
sports? Have I stopped other recreational activities or changed my lifestyle in any way because I’m afraid
of urine leakage? Have I become uncomfortable with myself and my body? Am I avoiding sex because I
am worried that I may leak urine and be embarrassed? If any of your answers are yes, you need to know
that there is hope and there are options to help you better manage and treat SUI.
A fact sheet that answers your patients’
frequently asked questions about SUI.
This piece is also formatted for easy
downloading and printing yourself.
Order our print materials ORDER
Download and print DOWNLOAD
UrologyHealth.org/Order
BLADDER HEALTH
BLADDER HEALTH:
Urinary Incontinence
Loss of Bladder Control
Urinary Incontinence
Loss of Bladder Control:
Urinary Incontinence
ORDER
BLADDER HEALTH:
Surgery for Urinary Incontinence
Surgery for
Urinary Incontinence
Loss of Bladder Control:
Surgery for Urinary
Incontinence
ORDER
Bladder Control
Strengthening Your
Pelvic Floor Muscles
DOWNLOAD
A seven-page brochure that gives
patients an overview of incontinence
causes, diagnosis, and treatment
options. Includes a glossary and section
for taking notes.
Loss of Bladder Control
Bladder Control:
Strengthening Your
Pelvic Floor Muscles
BLADDER HEALTH :
Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
ORDER
AUA2014_BladderStrengthening_New.indd 1
4/8/14 8:54 AM
BLADDER HEALTH
Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder
Cancer: A Patient Guide
A two-page brochure instructing
patients on how to perform Kegel
exercises to strengthen pelvic floor
muscles.
Bladder Cancer Patient Guide
DOWNLOAD
A 12-page guide to help patients
understand diagnosis and treatment of
non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
DOWNLOAD
A seven-page brochure that gives
patients an overview of surgical
treatment options for men and women
with different types of incontinence,
and information on what to expect after
treatment. Includes a glossary.
DOWNLOAD
BLADDER HEALTH
Neurogenic Bladder
When Nerve Damage
Causes Bladder Problems
WHAT IS NEUROGENIC BLADDER?
Millions of Americans have neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic
bladder is when a person lacks bladder control due to a
brain, spinal cord or nerve problem. This includes people
with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and spina
bifida, and people who have had stroke or spinal cord
injury. Major pelvic surgery, diabetes and other illnesses
can also damage nerves that control the bladder.
Neurogenic Bladder
Fact Sheet
BRAIN, NERVES & BLADDER
WORKING TOGETHER
DOWNLOAD
WHAT GOES WRONG?
Several muscles and nerves must work together for your
bladder to hold urine until you are ready to empty it.
Nerve messages go back and forth between the brain and
the muscles that control bladder emptying. If these nerves
are damaged by illness or injury, the muscles may not be
able to tighten or relax at the right time.
In people with neurogenic bladder, the nerves and muscles
don’t work together well. The bladder may not fill or
empty in the right way.
Loss of Bladder Control:
Bladder Prolapse
ORDER
DOWNLOAD
A seven-page brochure that gives
patients an overview of bladder
prolapse causes, symptoms, diagnosis
and treatment options.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of neurogenic bladder differ from person
to person. Symptoms also depend on the type of nerve
damage they have had.
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
A fact sheet on the diagnosis and
treatment of neurogenic bladder.
BLADDER HEALTH
BLADDER HEALTH
“Vaginal Mesh” to Treat
Stress Urinary Incontinence
WHAT IS SUI?
People with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) leak urine
when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or being active. It is a
common problem, but not a “normal” part of aging. One
in three women experience SUI. There are treatments that
can help. The goal of any treatment for urine leakage is to
improve the patient’s quality of life. In most cases, great
improvements and even cure of urine leakage is possible.
There are many strategies to treat SUI. They include pelvic
floor muscle exercises, lifestyle changes, medical devices and
absorbent pads. For some people, these options may not be
enough, and they may choose to have surgery. For more
information on SUI treatment options, visit It’s Time to Talk
about SUI at www.UrologyHealth.org/SUI.
The AUA’s guidelines list mid-urethral mesh slings (MUS) as
a “standard” treatment for SUI. The AUA points to many
scientific studies that support the use of mesh slings to treat
SUI.
As with all surgeries, side effects can result from sling
surgery, no matter what type of sling is used. These side
effects can include difficulty urinating (peeing), or in rare
cases, not being able to urinate. Another side effect may
be exposure of the mesh into the vagina after surgery. In
most cases, this may be treated fairly easily. More serious
side effects, such as damage to the bladder or urethra are
rare and might require further surgeries. Generally, the FDA
found that long-lasting side effects from treating SUI with
mesh seem to be rare.
SURGICAL MESH IS A STANDARD TREATMENT
FOR SUI
For patients with SUI who choose to have surgery, mesh
sling surgery is the most common. It is a less invasive
surgery, and patients tend to heal sooner than with other
surgeries to treat SUI. For this treatment, a strip of material
(a “sling”) is placed under the tube that carries urine out
of the body (the urethra). The sling gives support to help
prevent urine leakage. Slings can be made from one’s own
tissue, donor tissue or surgical mesh. Surgical mesh is also
used to treat other health problems, such as hernias.
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
“Vaginal Mesh” to
Treat Stress Urinary
Incontinence NEW
Fact Sheet
DOWNLOAD
A fact sheet for patients explaining that
Surgical Mesh is a standard treatment
for SUI
Interstitial Cystitis
(Coming Soon)
Order our print materials ORDER
Download and print DOWNLOAD
UrologyHealth.org/Order
Order Your FREE Copies Today!
Keep Your Patients Up to Date with the Latest Advances in
Urologic Medicine through the Urology Care Foundation’s Award-Winning
Quarterly Magazine, UrologyHealth extra.
- B eautiful, new full-color
design for 2015
- E ducates patients on common
urologic conditions
- Written and designed with
the urologic patient in mind
- Published Quarterly
- FREE!
Provide this valuable resource to your patients
and their caregivers. Order UrologyHealth
extra for your practice today at
UrologyHealth.org/Subscribe
or call 1-800-828-7866!
MEN’S HEALTH
Erectile Dysfunction
SEXUAL HEALTH
Update for Men on Testosterone
Replacement Therapy (TRT)
What is Testosterone?
Erectile Dysfunction
ORDER
Testosterone is the sex hormone that helps
boys become men. This hormone is key during
puberty and the development of male physical
features. Testosterone levels can affect men’s sex
drive, erections, mood, muscle mass and bone
density. Testosterone is also needed for men to
produce sperm.
DOWNLOAD
What is Hypogonadism or “Low-T”?
Some men have low levels of testosterone. This is
called hypogonadism, or low-T. Men with low-T
may also have problems such as:
• reduced sex drive,
• less frequent sexual activities,
• fewer and weaker erections,
SEXUAL HEALTH
Erectile Dysfunction
What You Should Know
• less energy,
• depressed mood or irritability,
• less muscle mass and strength,
• more body fat,
• anemia (low iron), and
• loss of calcium from bone.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy
(TRT)?
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
is approved by the FDA to treat men with
hypogonadism (low-T). It most often comes in
the form of gels, patches, injections (shots), and
pellets placed under your skin.
2013 © Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
An 11-page brochure that gives patients
an overview of erectile dysfunction
symptoms, causes, diagnosis and
treatment. Includes a section for taking
notes.
The American Urological Association (AUA) has
followed these reports closely. The AUA notes
that there are conflicting studies that suggest TRT
may lower heart risk. More studies need to be
done to be certain whether and how TRT changes
men’s risk of heart attack.
The AUA is also concerned about misuse of TRT.
You should not take testosterone for non-medical
reasons, such as body building, preventing
aging changes or performance enhancement.
Men should not take TRT if they have normal
testosterone levels or if their testosterone
levels have not been tested. If you have normal
testosterone levels, using TRT will not help your
health problems. Also, if you are trying to father
a child, you should not be on TRT. TRT can
decrease your sperm count and fertility.
Because of new, easier ways to take TRT, many
men have become aware that low-T might be
causing their problems. Before you take TRT, a
doctor who is skilled in diagnosing low-T should
examine you carefully. Your doctor should not
prescribe TRT without taking an in-depth health
history and giving you a physical exam and
blood tests. Many of the symptoms for low-T can
be the result of other health problems. Other
causes of symptoms need to be ruled out before
testosterone is prescribed.
Before you start TRT, your doctor should talk to
you about possible bad side effects. Side effects
can include:
• acne (pimples),
What should you know about TRT?
• breast swelling or soreness,
Two recent studies have suggested that TRT raises
the risk of heart attack in men. In February 2014,
the FDA stated they would study the risk of heart
attack, stroke and death in men taking TRT.
• a high red blood cell count,
HOW IS ED TREATED?
To improve erection problems, your health care provider
may need to treat the root causes. Your provider may ask
you to change certain habits, such as stopping smoking,
drug or alcohol use. Treating emotional problems, such as
relationship conflicts, depression or performance anxiety
can also help. Cutting back on or changing certain meds
can often improve ED. Do not stop taking your medicine
or change any meds without talking to your health care
provider first. If a blood test shows low testosterone levels
(low T), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may
help. However, if a blood test shows you have normal
testosterone levels, adding TRT will not help your erection
problems.
WHAT CAUSES ED?
While ED becomes more common as men age, growing
old is not the cause of the problem. ED can be an early
sign of a more serious health problem. Finding and treating
the cause(s) of your ED can improve your overall health and
well-being.
ED can result from health or emotional problems, or from
both combined. Reduced blood flow or harm to nerves
in the penis can result in erection problems. These can be
caused by heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood
sugar, surgery, injuries and even smoking. Some medicine,
as well as alcohol or other drugs may also cause erection
problems. Emotional (depression, stress or worry) or
relationship problems can cause or worsen ED.
(Continued on next page)
• A vacuum erection device pulls blood into the penis,
causing an erection. An elastic ring is then slipped onto
the base of the penis. This holds the blood in the penis
(and keeps it hard) for up to 30 minutes.
• Self-injection therapy. By injecting this medication into
the penis with a very fine needle, an erection is created.
ED can be treated safely and
treatments work well for most men.
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
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1000 Corporate Boulevard • Linthicum, MD • 21090 • www.UrologyHealth.org • 800.828.7866
A fact sheet on low testosterone,
testosterone replacement therapy risks
and benefits, heart health risks and
abuse of testosterone replacement
therapy.
Erectile Dysfunction
DOWNLOAD
Other treatment choices are:
• Oral drugs, known as PDE-5 inhibitors. These drugs relax
muscle cells in the penis and increase blood flow. (These
are the drugs you see often on TV and internet ads.)
Fact Sheet
• swelling of the feet or ankles,
• smaller testicles and
• infertility.
Fact Sheets
WHAT IS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED)?
ED affects as many as 30 million men. Most men have
problems with erections from time to time. In some men,
these problems are regular and more severe. ED, or erectile
dysfunction, is when it is hard to get or keep an erection
that’s firm enough for sex.
Update for Men
on Testosterone
Replacement Therapy
SEXUAL HEALTH
Fact sheets on Erectile Dysfunction, its
diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Vasectomy
Fact Sheet
WHAT IS A VASECTOMY?
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction
If you are thinking about getting a vasectomy, you are
not alone. Each year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S.
choose vasectomy as permanent birth control. During
vasectomy, each vas deferens (the two tubes that move
sperm) are sealed off. This blocks sperm from reaching the
semen that is ejaculated from the penis. After a vasectomy,
the testicles still make sperm but they are absorbed by the
body. A vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any
other method of birth control, except abstinence. Only 1
to 2 women out of 1,000 will get pregnant in the first year
after their partners have had a vasectomy.
THE PROCEDURE
Your doctor can perform a vasectomy in an office or
hospital. Vasectomy is a minor surgery that should take
about 20 minutes. One urologist who performs vasectomies
tells his patients: “take a long hot shower the morning
before with a lot of soap. And make sure you have a bag of
frozen peas and a couple of rented movies at home.”
Before the vasectomy, your scrotum will be shaved and
cleaned. Usually local anesthesia is used. So you will be
awake but should not feel any pain. Some patients may
also be given medicine to reduce anxiety. With a standard
vasectomy, the urologist makes one or two small cuts in the
scrotum. One vas deferens tube is cut and tied or sealed
with heat. The tube is replaced inside the scrotum. The
procedure is then repeated on the other side. Lastly, the skin
is closed with stitches that dissolve and do not have to
be removed.
Another popular option is a no-scalpel vasectomy. In this
procedure, a small clamp with pointed ends is used to
puncture the skin. Then each vas deferens is lifted out, cut,
sealed and then put back in place. A no-scalpel vasectomy
works just as well as a standard vasectomy. Some benefits of
a no-scalpel vasectomy are less bleeding, swelling and pain.
There is also a smaller hole in the skin.
RISKS
Up to 20 in 100 men may have ongoing pain or discomfort
after a vasectomy. Most often, it is due to congestion of
sperm in the system behind the blockage. This usually
resolves with time. The pain is most often treated with antiinflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen. One to 6 men in 100
may need more treatment to ease their pain.
Otherwise, the risk of bad side effects after a vasectomy is
very low, but may include:
• Bleeding under the skin, which may cause swelling or
bruising. (Call your doctor if your scrotum swells a lot
soon after your surgery.)
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
• Erectile Dysfunction: Surgical Options
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Vasectomy is a minor surgery that should
take about 20 minutes
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
• Erectile Dysfunction: Medical Options
Vasectomy
A fact sheet on vasectomy, including
information about the procedure, risks,
healing and things to think about when
considering this surgery.
• Preventing Erectile Dysfunction
SEXUAL HEALTH
Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Fact Sheet
WHAT IS TESTICULAR CANCER?
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men
ages 18 to 35. Still, it is fairly rare. About 8,800 men will be
diagnosed with testicular cancer in the US this year. Men
who were born with an undescended testicle are at higher
risk. The good news is testicular cancer is also one of the
most treatable cancers. When caught early, the cure rate
is close to 100 percent. This is true for men with Stage 1
testicular cancer, where the cancer has not spread outside
the testicle. For men with Stage 2 or 3 testicular cancer, the
cure rate is still much higher than that of other cancers.
A man’s risk of dying from testicular cancer is small. About
380 men will die of testicular cancer in the US this year.
Since only men have testicles, only men can get testicular
cancer. Your testicles (also known as testis) are the two oval
glands contained in a sac (scrotum) below the penis. They
make sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.
If you have symptoms, your doctor may do a physical exam,
a blood test and an ultrasound. You may be referred to a
urologist, a surgeon who treats testicular cancer. Unlike
many other cancers, testicular cancer is not diagnosed by
taking a biopsy (tissue sample). Doing a biopsy could cause
the cancer to spread.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF TESTICULAR
CANCER?
• Stage 2: Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in
the abdomen
• Stage 3: Cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes in
the abdomen. The cancer may have spread to parts of the
body far from the testicles, such as the lungs and liver
HOW IS TESTICULAR CANCER TREATED?
• Pain, soreness or a dull ache in your testicle
Most often, the first treatment is surgery to remove the
testicle. For stage 1 patients, this may be all that is needed
to remove the cancer. They will then be followed closely
with blood tests and scans. Stage 2 and 3 patients may
need surgery to remove lymph nodes. They may also need
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or removal of tumors that
have spread farther.
Talk with your health care provider as soon as you notice any
of these signs. Sadly, it is common for men to put off talking
to their doctor. If it is cancer, the longer you delay, the more
chance the cancer has to spread.
Most of the time, cancer is only found in one testicle, and
the other testicle still works well. Removing one testicle will
not make a man any “less of a man.” Removing one testicle
should not cause erection problems (ED) or make a man
SIGNS OF TESTICULAR CANCER ARE:
• A lump or firmness within your testicle
• Swelling or enlargement of your testicle (with or without
pain), or
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• Stage 1: Cancer is found only in the testicle
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
A fact sheet on what men should know
about Testicular Cancer.
Order our print materials ORDER
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Leave a Legacy
Ensure your legacy and the future of urologic research and education
Learn how a donation to the Urology
Care Foundation may fit into your
financial, tax or estate goals.
Planned gifts, large and small, have a
powerful effect on our work to promote
urology research and education.
Learn more at
www.UrologyHealth.org
KIDNEY STONES
KIDNEY HEALTH
Kidney Stones
Patient Guide
Kidney Stones
Patient Guide NEW
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A 16-page comprehensive patient guide
that details information on kidney and
ureteral stones, their symptoms, causes,
diagnosis and treatment. Includes a
glossary.
What You Should Know
about Kidney Stones NEW
Fact Sheet
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A fact sheet that gives a brief overview
of kidney stones, their symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Written at a sixth-grade reading level.
Diagnosing and Treating
Kidney Stones NEW
Fact Sheet
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A fact sheet that gives an overview
of diagnosis and treatment of kidney
stones
Preventing Kidney Stones NEW
Fact Sheet
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A fact sheet that gives an overview of
kidney stones prevention, including an
overview of diet and medication for
prevention of future stones.
Order our print materials ORDER
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PEDIATRIC UROLOGY
PEDIATRIC HEALTH
Circumcision
What Parents Should Know
Circumcision is the removal of the skin that covers the tip
of a baby’s penis. In recent years, newborn circumcision
has been a hot topic of debate. Differing opinions and
advice may leave many new parents with more questions
than answers.
taken hold in parts of the world where HIV is not as wide
spread. In fact, the Royal Dutch Medical Association in the
Netherlands called for a ban on circumcision in 2010. They
stated that the procedure is “medically unnecessary and
violates children’s rights.”
Your choice of whether to circumcise your son may be a
question of religion or custom. For instance, circumcision is
part of Jewish and Muslim traditions. In other cases, parents
may simply want their son to look like his father or other
male family members.
In the US, the American Urological Association (AUA) and
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) each have policy
statements on circumcision. Both groups recommend the
procedure be offered as a choice to parents. The AUA
“believes that neonatal circumcision has potential medical
benefits and advantages as well as disadvantages and risks.”
The AAP states that “health benefits [from circumcision] are
not great enough to recommend routine circumcision for
all male newborns… [But are enough] to justify access for
families choosing it.” Parents should talk with their child’s
doctor about the health risks and benefits. With those facts,
parents should then think over what will work for their
family. They should keep in mind their own religious, ethical,
and cultural beliefs and practices.
But the trend in the United States is clearly changing. The
rate of circumcision is falling. In the 1970s and 1980s, about
8 of every 10 boys born in the US were circumcised. Today,
5 or 6 of every 10 boys are circumcised. Circumcision rates
in the US vary by region. Fewer boys in Western states are
circumcised. The north central region has the highest rates
of circumcision.
Only about one in three males are circumcised worldwide.
Around the world, the highest rates for circumcision are in
the Middle East, South Korea and the US. In Latin America,
most of Asia and in Europe, circumcision is rare. It is on the
rise in Africa, where studies have shown that circumcision
lowers the risk of getting HIV. This is because the foreskin
is different from skin on other parts of your body. It’s not
like the skin on your arm, for instance. The foreskin has a
type of cell called Langerhans cells, which are more likely
to attach to HIV cells. Based on these findings, in 2007 the
World Health Organization endorsed circumcision as a way
to help stop the spread of HIV. Still, this thinking has not
The rate of circumcision is falling. Today
5 or 6 out of every 10 boys born in the
United States are circumcised.
So what should parents know about the health risks and
benefits of circumcision? Of course, circumcision can cause
pain and stress for the patient. To lessen pain for newborns,
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
Circumcision
PEDIATRIC UROLOGY
UTIs in Children
What Parents Need to Know
Fact Sheet
WHAT IS A UTI?
About 8 percent of girls and 1 - 2 percent of boys have
had a urinary tract infection (UTI) by the time they are 5
years old. UTIs are caused by bacteria infecting the urinary
tract – the organs and tubes in our body that make, store
and pass urine. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys,
ureters, bladder and urethra. Bacteria are not normally
found in urine. However, they can enter the urinary tract
from the skin near the anus. UTIs are more common in girls
than boys. In girls, the opening of the urethra is closer to
the anus and the length of the urethra is shorter. Infections
are more common in the urethra and bladder, which make
up the lower part of the urinary tract. Infections that move
up the ureters to the kidneys can be more serious. If left
untreated, these infections may lead to kidney failure.
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The clearest sign of a UTI in babies may be a fever. Babies
with UTIs may also act fussy, vomit and feed poorly. If the
UTI becomes a kidney infection, the child or infant is more
likely to have a fever with shaking chills, pain in the back or
side, or vomiting.
Urinary Tract
UTIs in Children
Fact Sheet
DOWNLOAD
Image provided courtesy of National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of
Health
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
A fact sheet for parents considering
circumcision, including information
about the procedure, risks and healing.
UTIs are easier to spot in older children who are toilettrained and can talk about their symptoms. Some signs of a
UTI are:
• pain, burning, or a stinging sensation when urinating
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
• frequent urination or feeling an increased urge to urinate,
even without producing urine
Your child’s health care professional will take a urine sample
to test for a UTI. Older children will most often be asked to
urinate in a sterile cup. Babies and small children in diapers
may need a catheter (tube) to collect urine. The catheter
keeps the sample from being contaminated by bacteria on
the skin. The urine will then be tested for bacteria. The type
of bacteria found may help decide the best drug to treat
the UTI, usually antibiotics. It is important for your child to
• foul-smelling urine that may look cloudy or contain blood
• fever
• low back pain or pain in the area of the bladder
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • Fax: 410-689-3878 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
A fact sheet outlining what parents
need to know about urinary tract
infections.
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
ABOUT OAB
OAB Health Care
Provider Toolkit
Toolkit For Health Care Providers
How to Talk to Your Patients about
Overactive Bladder
What Every Provider Needs to Know
Whether you are a urologist, general practitioner,
gynecologist, advanced practice nurse, physician
assistant or other health care provider, it is important
to know how to talk to your patients about overactive
bladder (OAB). Many patients, especially those who are
older or female, are reluctant to talk about their urinary
symptoms. A 2005 survey showed that female patients
with OAB symptoms waited, on average, 6.5 years between
their first symptoms and obtaining a diagnosis. Failure to
get treatment for OAB can have a significant impact on
your patient’s quality of life, negatively affecting day-today activities such as work, social life, exercise and sleep.
Whether it is accompanied by incontinence or not, the fear
patients have that they will leak urine if they don’t get to a
bathroom right away can result in extreme embarrassment
and social isolation.
It is important for you to discuss these issues with your
patients to determine how much their quality of life
is affected by their condition. However, most health
care providers do not routinely ask their patients about
incontinence, which adds to delays in diagnosis and
treatment. Your patients may be waiting for you to start
the conversation. It’s Time to Talk About OAB! This fact sheet
will give you conversation starters, ideas for what to do if a
patient waits until the end of an appointment to bring up
their concerns and information to help you dispel some
common myths associated with OAB and incontinence.
These symptoms are not “normal” parts of aging, and
treatment options are available.
©2014 Urology Care Foundation, Inc.
What to do in a “Doorknob Moment,” when your
patient waits until the end of their appointment to
discuss their concerns
All too often, patients who are embarrassed about
their symptoms and don’t think there are any available
treatments will wait to mention their concerns and
questions about urinary symptoms until the last few
minutes of a visit —when your hand is already on the
doorknob. A discussion this important deserves more
attention, but there are a few things you can do in two
minutes to start to address their concerns.
u
Many patients are hesitant to talk about urinary
symptoms and may wait years to mention them.
u
OAB symptoms:
n
Urgency
n
Urge Incontinence
n
Frequency
n
Nocturia
u
OAB is different from stress urinary incontinence
(SUI) but some patients have both SUI and OAB.
u
Untreated, OAB can have significant impact on
quality of life.
u
Your patients may be waiting for you to start the
conversation. It’s Time to Talk About OAB!
Remember that while it may appear to be an afterthought,
it is likely that urinary symptoms have been causing your
patient great concern. He or she may have been suffering
silently for years but was afraid or embarrassed to discuss
the problem.
Step 1 Turn the moment into a platform for next steps.
Schedule a follow-up appointment for further
discussion before your patient leaves the office.
Explain: “A topic this important needs a separate
visit to explore this in detail.”
Step 2 Give “homework.”
Ask your patient to fill out an OAB self-assessment
tool. [There are many validated tools available or
see UrologyHealth.org/OABTools for our “Think
You Have OAB? Quiz.”]
A MONOGRAPH FROM THE UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Fact Sheet
ORDER
Ask your patient to complete a bladder
diary for at least three days. [See
UrologyHealth.org/OABTools]
PHYSICIAN / HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FACT SHEET
Vaginal Mesh for Stress Urinary Incontinence
(also known as Mid-Urethral Sling or MUS Surgery)
SUI – WHAT EVERY PROVIDER NEEDS TO
KNOW
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is urine leakage during
activities that result in increased abdominal pressure, such as
sneezing, coughing, physical exercise, lifting, bending and
even changing positions.
SUI is a very common condition – 1 out of 3 women have
SUI.
confused about the use of mesh for pelvic organ prolapse
(POP) repair versus its use in treating SUI. POP and SUI are
different health issues with different surgical treatments.
Surgeries that use mesh to treat each health issue have their
own unique risks and benefits.
WHAT IS SUI?
• Untreated, SUI can have significant impact on quality of
life.
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) refers to leakage of urine
during events that result in increased abdominal pressure,
such as sneezing, coughing, physical exercise, lifting,
bending and even changing positions. One in three women
experience SUI. SUI is different from Overactive Bladder
(OAB, or Urgency Incontinence), which is leakage that
occurs with a sudden urge to urinate. Many patients have
Mixed Incontinence, which includes a combination of both
SUI and OAB.
Women have both non-surgical and surgical options to treat
SUI.
SYMPTOMS
For women choosing to undergo surgery, the sling
procedure using synthetic polypropylene mesh is the most
common surgery currently performed for SUI.
• Mild incontinence is light leakage with vigorous activity
such as exercise or from sneezing, laughing, coughing or
lifting.
AUA and other leading urological subspecialty societies
support the use of mesh slings.
• Moderate/more severe incontinence is leakage associated
with many different types of movement such as standing
up, walking, or bending over. Typically, patients use
absorbent pads for protection from urine loss.
• Less than half of women who have urinary incontinence
have discussed their symptoms with their health care
provider.
• Any amount of leakage of urine is abnormal.
• The American Urological Association advises doctors that
synthetic mesh slings are a suitable treatment option
for women with SUI, stating that “extensive data exist
to support the use of synthetic polypropylene mesh
suburethral slings for the treatment of female SUI.”
• The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) and the
Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and
Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) have reiterated that they
“support the use of the midurethral sling in the surgical
management of stress urinary incontinence.”
The Urology Care Foundation and the American Urological
Association (AUA) are concerned that patients may be
RISK FACTORS FOR SUI INCLUDE:
• age
• Caucasian or Hispanic race
• obesity
• smoking
• chronic cough
• pregnancy and childbirth
• nerve injuries to the lower back
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-689-3990 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
UrologyHealth.org
Patient Referral Card
ORDER
PHYSICIAN / HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FACT SHEET
Answering Your Patients’ Questions
about Vaginal Mesh (Mid-Urethral Sling
Surgery) for Stress Urinary Incontinence
Helping You
Through Change
Magazine
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What Women Should Know About
Their Urologic Health as They Age
STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE – THE
BASICS
• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) refers to urine leakage
during activities that result in increased abdominal
pressure, such as sneezing, coughing, physical exercise,
lifting, bending and even changing positions.
• SUI is a very common condition – 1 out of 3 women have
SUI
o Less than half of women who have urinary incontinence
have discussed their symptoms with their health care
provider.
WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE
FOR MY SUI?
There are many non-surgical treatments that can help
manage SUI, including:
• pelvic floor muscle exercises
• pelvic floor stimulation
• lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight and
stopping smoking
• pessaries
• occlusive devices including urethral inserts and patches
o Any amount of leakage of urine is abnormal.
• absorbent pads.
o Untreated, SUI can have significant impact on quality of
life.
For mild to moderate SUI, non-surgical options may meet
patient needs. For some patients, these options may not be
enough, and they may choose to have surgery. Commonly
recommended surgical options include:
• For women choosing to undergo surgery, the sling
procedure using synthetic polypropylene mesh is the most
common surgery currently performed for SUI.
• The American Urological Association and other leading
urological subspecialty societies support the use of mesh
slings.
Many of your patients suffer from Stress Urinary
Incontinence (SUI), yet research shows that less than half
of those who suffer mention it their health care provider.
When they do start talking about SUI treatments, many
have been suffering for years. Patients who have tried nonsurgical treatments and haven’t gotten the results they want
may start asking about surgical treatments, including mesh
sling surgery.
Below, we have collected answers to the top seven most
frequently asked SUI patient questions.
• urethral bulking injection to help better close off the
urethra during times of increased pressure
• bladder neck suspension (also called retropubic suspension
or colposuspension)
• sling surgery
For surgery, patients should consult with a urologist or other
female urology specialist to best understand their options.
I HAVE HEARD THAT VAGINAL MESH ISN’T A
SAFE TREATMENT FOR SUI. WHAT DO YOU
THINK, DOCTOR?
Surgical mesh is used to treat a number of health problems,
most commonly hernia repair. Mid urethral mesh sling
surgery is the standard of care for women with moderate
to severe SUI. Extensive data exist to support the use of
mesh slings for the treatment of female SUI. The American
Urological Association, the American Urogynecological
National Headquarters: 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090
ALSO:
Infertility By the Numbers
What You Need to Know
About Testicular Cancer
Fertility-Boosting Seasonal Recipes
Managing Stress
A PUBLICATION OF THE UROLOGY CARE FOUNDATION
F R E E – P L E A S E TA K E A CO P Y W I T H YO U!
Fact Sheet
A fact sheet for health care providers
explaining SUI, its treatments and
mid-urethral mesh slings as a standard
treatment for SUI.
DOWNLOAD
UrologyHealth extra
Vaginal Mesh for Stress
Urinary Incontinence (also
known as Mid-Urethral
Sling or MUS Surgery) NEW
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Distribute these cards to your patients
to refer them to patient information on
UrologyHealth.org!
SPRING 2015
DOWNLOAD
An expert panel review of the scientific
literature and clinical guidelines
concerning SUI.
DOWNLOAD
A fact sheet to help health care
providers initiate a conversation
with patients about OAB, featuring
“conversation starters” and tips on how
to handle a “doorknob moment.” Also
includes resources for your practice and
your patients.
SUI Monograph UPDATED
Answering Your Patients’
Questions about Vaginal
Mesh (Mid-Urethral Sling
Surgery) for Stress Urinary
Incontinence NEW
Phone: 410-689-3990 • 1-800-828-7866 • [email protected] • www.UrologyHealth.org
Keep patients up to date with the latest
advances in urologic medicine with this
award-winning quarterly magazine.
Fact Sheet
DOWNLOAD
A fact sheet to help health care
providers answer their patient’s
questions about mid-urethral mesh
slings as treatment for SUI.
Fax/Mail Order Form for Print Materials
Only materials noted with an
ORDER
icon are available to be ordered with this form.
Your practice may order up to 50 free copies per month of each of the print materials listed below. To order, visit
UrologyHealth.org/Order or AUAnet.org/PatientEdu.
Practices unable to complete the online order form may submit this form by fax to 410-689-3998 or mail to Urology
Care Foundation, 1000 Corporate Blvd., Linthicum, MD 21090. Please allow additional time for processing fax or
mail orders.
Please complete a separate form (or online order) for each different practice location to which you would like
materials mailed.
PRACTICE CONTACT INFORMATION (PLEASE PRINT)
PRACTICE NAME
CONTACT NAME
OFFICE PHONE
CONTACT EMAIL
OFFICE ADDRESS
CITY STATEZIP
AUA MEMBER INFORMATION
If applicable, please provide the following information for at least one AUA Member affiliated with your practice.
AUA MEMBER NAME
AUA ID NUMBER
QUANTITY (UP TO 50/MONTH)
PROSTATE HEALTH
BLADDER HEALTH
_____ The Prostate Health Playbook
_____ Loss of Bladder Control: Urinary Incontinence
_____ Is Prostate Cancer Screening Right for Me?
_____ L oss of Bladder Control: Surgery for Urinary
Incontinence
_____ Surgery for Prostate Cancer
_____ Loss of Bladder Control: Bladder Prolapse
OVERACTIVE BLADDER
_____ Do You Have an Overactive Bladder (OAB)?
_____ OAB Patient Guide
_____ OAB Bladder Diary
_____ B
ladder Control: Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor
Muscles
MEN’S HEALTH
_____ Erectile Dysfunction
_____ OAB Frequently Asked Questions
_____ OAB Talking to Your Doctor
_____ OAB Quiz
_____ OAB Rack Card
STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE
_____ A Patient’s Guide to SUI
_____ Talking to Your Doctor about SUI
_____ Frequently Asked Questions - SUI
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
_____ OAB Health Care Provider Toolkit
_____ UrologyHealth.org Patient Referral Card
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION: UrologyHealth extra
_____ Individual print subscription
_____ O
ffice print subscription (10 copies for your
waiting area)
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
Your guide to all the free patient education
materials available to you and your patients
from the Urology Care Foundation.
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