Our urology team works with doctors with advanced training in pediatric urology, urologic oncology and reconstructive surgery. We treat all types of conditions affecting the urinary tract, including:
- Prostate Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Enlarged Prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperthrophy (BPH)
- Kidney stones
- Male and female incontinence
- Sexual dysfunction
Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem that affects many men and their partners. ED is defined as the ongoing inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. ED occurs when blood flow to the penis is limited or nerves are damaged. The cause may be physical, psychological or both. Psychological causes include stress, anxiety, guilt and depression. Physical causes include diabetes, vascular disease, medication side effects and prostate cancer treatment.
ED can affect men of every ethnicity, age and lifestyle. It’s estimated that more than half of men over age 40 suffer from some degree of ED. If you’re frequently struggling to achieve or maintain an erection, it may be time to speak with a urologist. Importantly, ED is often an early warning sign of underlying cardiovascular disease – particularly in men with metabolic syndrome. Men experiencing ED should discuss this with their physician, as identifying and addressing the underlying cause can improve both overall health and erectile function.
Whatever the cause, effective ED treatments are available. Oral medications (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) are a common first step but may not work for all men or may become less effective over time. Other options include:
• Vacuum erection devices.
• Penile injections (intracavernosal injection therapy).
• Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) — a long-term, concealed solution for men who have not responded to other treatments.
XIAFLEX®
XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) is the only FDA-approved, nonsurgical, in-office treatment for Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which scar tissue causes penile curvature – it’s a common but underrecognized cause of ED. Men experiencing ED alongside penile curvature or discomfort should discuss this with their urologist, as the two conditions frequently occur together and can be addressed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (IPP) Implantation
For men who haven’t found relief through medication or other therapies, surgical options – including inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation – offer a proven, long-term solution. At Carle Health, this surgery is performed by Vikas Desai, MD, FGPS, a member of the inaugural class of Fellows of Genitourinary Prosthetic Surgery (FGPS) – a distinction conferred by the Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons recognizing excellence in prosthetic urological surgery. Dr. Desai specializes in the full surgical management of ED, including penile prosthesis implantation and artificial urinary sphincter placement.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Desai, contact the Carle Health Urology Department.
Treating an Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a noncancerous condition in which the prostate is enlarged. This condition is more likely to develop in men older than age 50 and is part of the normal aging process. Not all men develop problems from this condition. If the prostate enlarges away from the urethra, urine flow won’t be blocked. If it enlarges toward the urethra and compresses it, there will be problems passing urine. The buildup of urine in the bladder can cause infection. Back pressure and infection may progress to bladder damage and kidney (renal) failure. In severe cases, a surgical procedure may be required. Carle Health offers several minimally invasive procedures that can relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate and alleviate side effects of BPH (enlarged prostate) medications.
Transurethral resection of the Prostate (TURP)
In this procedure, a tool is inserted through the urethra and is used to cut away tissue of the inner core of the prostate. The goal of TURP is to remove enough prostate tissue to allow for a normal flow of urine. The procedure will allow you to empty your bladder more completely when you urinate so that you can urinate less often.
Urolift®
Urolift® places small implants to lift and hold enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, allowing that passage to remain open. With the urethra opening enlarged, urine passes freely again. The benefits of UroLift® include:
- Recovery time is within days, so you can return quickly to normal activities.
- Symptom relief is faster than with medications.
- Sexual function is preserved, which isn’t always the case with medications.
Optilume®
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a noncancerous condition where your prostate is enlarged. The Optilume® BPH Catheter System helps target and treat the causes of your BPH symptoms. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that can give you immediate – and lasting – symptom relief, and it has a quick recovery time. After you get the Optilume® procedure, you’ll hopefully notice:
- Better urinary flow.
- Improvement of your BPH symptoms.
- A better ability to relieve your bladder..
Dr. Vikas Desai, a Carle Health physician, performs UroLift®and Optilume® procedures to treat BPH at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Dr. Desai previously served as a UroLift® Center of Excellence (COE) doctor, which recognizes urologists who’ve achieved advanced training and demonstrated a commitment to patient outcomes and care for men with BPH. To set up a consultation with Dr. Desai, call (217) 383-3311.
Aquablation® Therapy
Aquablation therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. It uses a heat-free waterjet that clears away excess prostate tissue while minimizing any damage to surrounding tissue. There are no incisions and treatment can be performed on any size and shape of prostate. This procedure uses real-time image guidance and automated robotic execution for precise therapy, limiting the trade-off between relieving symptoms and preserving sexual function. The benefits of Aquablation® Therapy include:
- Procedure uses a heat-free waterjet technology enabling targeted and controlled tissue removal with rapid resection times.
- Provides long-term symptom relief.
- Low risk of irreversible complications (incontinence, ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction).
Carle BroMenn Medical Center is currently the only facility performing Aquablation® Therapy in downstate Illinois. Dr. Vicken Chalian, a Carle Health Physician Partner with the Premier Medical Group, performs this procedure at Carle BroMenn. All patient consultations and post-operative visits will be conducted at the Premier Medical Group - Urology location. To set up a consultation with Dr. Chalian's office, please call (309) 663-9424.
