By Jerome P. Keating, MD | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-15 The Most Important Point About the IPSS The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a structured way to describe the frequency of seven urinary symptoms during the previous month. It converts the answers into a total from 0 […]
By Gregory S. Parries, MD, PhD. | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-14 A Kidney Stone Can Hurt Badly, but Pain Is Only Part of the Story Most people picture a kidney stone as an episode of unbearable pain that starts without warning. That does happen. A man may be
Kidney Stones in Men: Pain Patterns, Urine Changes, Testing, and Signs of an Emergency Read More »
By Gregory S. Parries, MD, PhD. | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-14 Pelvic Pain Can Be Real Even When the Tests Are Negative A man develops an ache behind the scrotum after long periods of sitting. Some days he feels pressure near the rectum. On other days the discomfort
By Jerome P. Keating, MD | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-15 The Short Answer: Improvement Is Usually a Trend, Not a Switch Men often ask how long does Flomax take to work because urinary symptoms interfere with sleep, travel, work, and confidence. Tamsulosin, sold under the brand name Flomax,
How Long Does Flomax Take to Work? What Men May Notice During the First Six Weeks Read More »
By Jerome P. Keating, MD | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-15 The First Question Is What Woke You Up A man who gets out of bed to urinate may assume that his prostate woke him. Sometimes that is correct. In other cases, the body produced too much urine during
Nocturia in Men: When Nighttime Urination Is Not Just a Prostate Problem Read More »
By Gregory S. Parries, MD, PhD. | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-14 One Symptom Can Point to Several Different Diagnoses A slow or narrow urine stream is one of the most common reasons men seek a urologic evaluation. The symptom may result from resistance at the prostate or bladder
Urethral Stricture in Men: Why a Weak Urine Stream Is Not Always an Enlarged Prostate Read More »
By Gregory S. Parries, MD, PhD. | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-14 The first visit for premature ejaculation (PE) usually begins with a private conversation, not a complicated procedure. The urologist will want to understand when the problem began, how much control you feel, whether erections are reliable, and
Your First Urology Visit for Premature Ejaculation: What to Expect and How to Prepare Read More »
By Gregory S. Parries, MD, PhD. | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-14 When a Urinary Infection Comes Back, the Important Question Is Why A man develops burning with urination and needs to go every hour. He receives an antibiotic and feels better. A few weeks later, the same symptoms
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Men: Why Recurrence Needs a Urologic Evaluation Read More »
By Jerome P. Keating, MD | Medically Reviewed by Christopher W. Boelter, MD | Last updated 2026-07-15 If You Cannot Urinate, Read This First A sudden complete inability to urinate, especially with a painful or swollen lower abdomen and a strong urge to go, requires emergency medical care now. Go to the nearest emergency department.
Acute Urinary Retention in Men: What to Do When You Cannot Urinate Read More »
By Keegan L. Maxwell, MD | Medically Reviewed by John K. Matsuura, MD |Last updated 2026-06-17 Testicular Pain: Why Timing and Severity Matter Testicular pain can range from mild discomfort to sudden severe pain that requires emergency care. The timing, intensity and associated symptoms matter because different causes need very different responses. A dull ache that
Testicular Pain: When It Needs Urgent Care and What a Urologist Checks Read More »