An artificial urinary sphincter (synthetic male sling) is an effective treatment for men with mild stress urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage). In the vast majority of men, this is done for post post-prostatectomy urinary leakage. It is not an effective treatment in men with previous pelvic radiation.

A transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) procedure is performed to confirm a diagnosis of bladder cancer, to remove tumours to reduce the risk of bleeding, to assess the aggressiveness (stage and grade) of the tumours.

You will be referred for this procedure if your urologist needs more information about your bladder function before offering further treatments. It is often used to assess the cause of lower urinary tract symptoms to assess potential benefit of primary / re-do prostate surgery, the nature and severity of urinary leakage, and to assess the impact of neurological conditions on the urinary tract.

Ureteric stent procedures are normally carried out because of blockage to one or both of your ureters (tubes that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder). The causes of the blockage may include kidney stones, stricture (narrowing) of the ureter and after surgery or instrumentation of the bladder or ureters. The stent is a specially- designed, hollow tube made of a flexible material, which is designed to stay in the urinary system by having both ends coiled to stop it moving.

Indications for Ureteroscopy include the treatment of stones in the ureter or kidney, investigation of abnormal areas or blockages in the ureter or kidney, diagnosis and treatment of tumours of the ureter or kidney, and surveillance after previous treatment of cancers of lining bladder, ureter or kidney.

The main indication for vasectomy is unwanted fertility. A vasectomy is a permanent contraceptive method that prevents pregnancy better than any other method of birth control, except abstinence.

Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) is a common condition. It is related to hormonal changes, which happens as men grow older. BPE is not prostate cancer, however, both benign prostatic enlargement and prostate cancer may develop with age and some people may have both diseases.

The urinary bladder is the organ that collects and stores urine produced by the kidneys. Bladder cancer is the growth of abnormal tissue (tumour) in the bladder. Several causes can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer such as smoking, occupational exposure to certain chemicals and some drugs and infections.

Most patients with blood in the semen have mild inflammation in the prostate, urethra or seminal vesicles, which requires no specific treatment and resolves spontaneously.

If you see blood in your urine, you should see your GP immediately. Your GP will normally investigate blood in the urine as a matter of urgency by taking a history and performing a physical examination. Bloods tests to assess you blood counts and renal function will be obtained as well as urine tests looking for infection (urine culture) as well as cancer cells (cytology). If you have a proven infection, you may be started on antibiotics.

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a small protein molecule, which is released from the prostate gland into the bloodstream. It has a role in processing of semen. PSA may be raised in prostate cancer, but is not a test that is specific for prostate cancer. Raised levels of PSA may also be caused by inflammation, infection, benign enlargement or recent surgery or sexual activity.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual disorder. It is the inability to get or keep an erection that allows for satisfying sexual activity. ED is not a life-threatening disorder, but it can have a negative impact on your quality of life and that of your partner.

Kidney cancer is a malignant cell growth (a tumour) in the kidneys. If a kidney mass is detected, your doctor will organise a CT scan to assess whether it is likely to be malignant. Further blood tests and scans such as MRI or bone scans may be done to assess local extent and spread of the tumour.

Kidney stones form when minerals or acid salts in your urine form crystals, which later become stones. Every person has a 5 to 10% chance of forming a urinary stone in their whole life with men more likely to form stones than women. Kidney or ureteral stones can block the normal urine flow through the ureter resulting in severe pain in loin and flank. This severity depends on stone characteristics e.g. the size, shape, and location of the stone.

Low testosterone also called male hypogonadism means the testicles do not produce enough of the male sex hormone testosterone. When levels are low this can present with many symptoms that can have a negative effect on quality of life. Production of androgens decreases slightly with age. Low levels are more common in men who are obese and have multiple health conditions.

Infertility means not being able to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. If the cause of the fertility problem is found in the man, this is male infertility. Male infertility is found in approximately half of all childless couples.

Some men were born with congenital penile curvature and in others, it develops over time. Penile curvature that develops later in life is called Peyronie’s disease.

The head of penis is covered by a tissue called the foreskin. The foreskin is usually loose and slides easily over the head of the penis. This movement allows us to urinate or for the penis become fully erect (in adults). Sometimes, though, the foreskin is too tight. It can close over the glans and become unable to move. This condition is called phimosis.

Despite improvements in surgical approaches, changes in urinary function inevitably occur after radical prostatectomy (RP). Stress urinary incontinence (SUI - leakage on coughing, sneezing or doing heavy physical work) is the most common type of urinary leakage after RP. A smaller proportion may get leakage because of an overactive or underactive bladder.

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour in the prostate. It is the most common cancer in elderly men with an average age for diagnosis being 69. Most prostate cancers develop slowly and do not cause symptoms. Because of the development in PSA testing, diagnostic tools and longer life expectancy, more prostate cancers are now detected at an earlier stage and the survival rate is high.