Pinellas Region Patient Newsletter – December 2024

Your Sexual Health is Too Important to Ignore

Talking about your sexual health can be intimidating. But the urologists at AUI specialize in these health conditions. We talk to patients about sexual health every day, so there’s no reason to feel intimidated. Some topics we routinely discuss are:

Low-Testosterone in Men: About two in every 100 men have clinically low testosterone. Symptoms include a reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of body hair and lean muscle, feeling tired, and feeling a bit depressed. If this sounds like you, we can help. Low-T is easily treated. But it must be managed by your physician. Learn more about Low-T.  Request a consultation.

Low Libido in Women: While loss of sex drive in women isn’t unusual, only four in 10 seek treatment. Vaginal discomfort, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary leakage, and pelvic pain are all possible reasons for low libido. The good news is they all are treatable. Learn the possible causes. Request a consultation.

If you have a sexual health issue, don’t be shy. You’re not alone. Our providers are experts in sexual health issues and are ready to help.

Thinking of You This Holiday Season

As 2024 draws to a close, our thoughts are with those of you who are still recovering and rebuilding from the hurricanes. Although we are working hard to rebuild quickly, our Largo and Pasadena offices remain closed. Largo patients are being seen at the PTAK building in Clearwater, and Pasadena patients are being seen at our St. Petersburg 38th Avenue office. Our pharmacy is still temporarily relocated to a different office in Clearwater as well. We anticipate the reopening of these locations in early 2025, and hope if you’re displaced from your home, that you have a return date in the near future as well.

This holiday season, we thank you for placing your trust in us. Our warmest wishes for good health, peace, and joy in the coming weeks and throughout the new year.

Phreesia Makes Registration More Convenient

You can’t escape it. Registering for an appointment at a medical facility is part of the process. But with Phreesia, AUI has made that process easier. Instead of registering when you arrive, which sometimes can mean waiting in line, Phreesia lets you register in the comfort of your home when the time is convenient for you. Here’s how Phreesia works.

  1. Prior to your visit, you will receive a reminder about your appointment. You’ll also have the ability to review and update your health information.
  2. Upon arrival at your appointment, if you haven’t already completed or reviewed your health information, you will be given an iPad to complete it in person. Our staff will happily help you with this process if needed.

We know that registering for each appointment is inescapable. But with Phreesia we hope it’s a bit more convenient. Learn more about the convenience of online check-in with Phreesia.

We’ve Got You Covered, Pinellas!

When we tell you we’ve got an office close to your home or work, we mean it! With 10 offices, 28 physicians, and 24 advanced practice providers, when it comes to expert urology care, we’ve got Pinellas County covered.

Pinellas Region Patient Newsletter – August 2024

Pharmacist Now on Your Care Team

Your best care happens when everyone is working together on your behalf. That’s why we’ve opened a pharmacy for AUI patients needing medication for prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction. When your urologist, pharmacist, and other AUI specialists are working together, they can help ensure you’re receiving the treatment that’s best for you.

If your insurance plan qualifies, the AUI pharmacy has a home-delivery service available for AUI patients needing prescriptions filled for prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction. Simply tell your AUI provider that you want your meds delivered to your home, or call the AUI pharmacy at 727-241-4994 to make your request. NOTE: Not all insurance plans will cover home delivery. Give us a call to find out if yours does.

One more benefit…

Prostate cancer medications are costly. That’s why we’ll apply for funding on your behalf to make them more affordable.

We hope you’ll take advantage of our home-delivery pharmacy service. We think having an entire team of AUI specialists working together will help ensure the best care possible.

 

6 Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance (and 1 simple resolution)

Hormones play a critical role in how we feel. So when our body produces less hormone (common as we age), the results can be troubling:

  • Lack of energy and fatigue
  • Reduced sexual desire or sexual performance
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Reduced mental focus and memory
  • Weight gain or loss of muscle
  • Hot flashes

Sound familiar? Hormone imbalance can really have a negative impact on your life! But you don’t have to live with it.

At AUI we work with both men and women to optimize their hormones, naturally resolving the effects of hormone imbalance (including testosterone and estrogen). We offer treatments that range from topical/gels to oral medications to pellets under the skin.

We invite you to give us a call or go online to learn more or get started about hormone therapy.

 

6 Travel Tips if You’re Experiencing OAB

As many as 40% of women and 30% of men experience overactive bladder (OAB), the sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control. During travel, when bathrooms may be hard to locate, a little advanced planning can go (and go and go) a long way to avoiding OAB mishaps.

Here are six tips to help you get to the bathroom on time.

  1. Know the rest stops. A restroom locator app is a big help regardless of your destination.
  2. Strengthen your bladder. Before leaving, practice urination at scheduled times instead of every time you have the urge. Doing Kegel exercises (pelvic-squeezing exercises for men and women) will strengthen your bladder muscles.
  3. Watch what you drink and eat. Coffee and carbonated drinks can make OAB worse. So can citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, and those high in liquid (like cucumbers and watermelon).
  4. Consider a prescription. Your doctor can prescribe medications that can help control your need to pee. For women, estrogen creams or tablets may provide relief.
  5. Pack accordingly. Wear clothes that are simple to get off. And bring a day bag with absorbent liners, medications, and extra underwear.
  6. Talk to a urologist. If you’ve never talked to a urologist about OAB, contact us for an appointment to learn about treatment options. You don’t have to live with OAB.

Don’t let an overactive bladder keep you at home. Our AUI specialists are dedicated to finding a solution that’s right for you.

Learn more about OAB.

 

A Guy’s Guide to Sexual Health: Common Male Sexual Health Issues and Treatments

A big percentage of men worry about erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and other sexual health issues. But a small percentage actually seek professional help. At AUI we treat male (and female!) sexual health conditions every day. So don’t be shy. If something is keeping you from enjoying the sex life you want, schedule a consultation with an AUI urologist. And learn more about common sexual health issues and how they’re treated.

 

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: A POINT Can Make All the Difference

It may not seem alarming, but if your PSA level increases by more than 0.75 in one year, it could be prostate cancer. Your PSA number is important, but so is the rate at which it changes. There are men with a PSA of 20 who don’t have prostate cancer and men with a PSA of 2 who do.

What’s crucial is having a baseline. Once you know your normal PSA level, you’ll be alert to any changes the next time you’re tested.

Finding and treating prostate cancer early, when treatment might be more effective, saves lives. If you haven’t had a PSA test in the last year, please don’t wait. Learn more and schedule your PSA test today.