Urology specialists in Frankfort, Kentucky

Frankfort Regional Medical Center's urology services deliver advanced urology care for conditions of the male and female urinary tract—the bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra—and male reproductive organs. Our expert urologists offer personalized, compassionate care and innovative practices and technologies.

To schedule an appointment, call (502) 226-1655.

Our specialists use minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic procedures and shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stones, as well as laparoscopy surgery. Minimally invasive procedures require smaller incisions, reduce the physical and emotional impact of surgery, shorten your hospital stay and typically result in a faster recovery and return to regular activities.

Urologic conditions we treat

At Frankfort Regional, we treat most urologic conditions, such as:

  • Adrenal masses
  • Kidney stones
  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Upper tract urethral cancer
  • Prostate cancer and testicular cancer
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction, including pelvic organ prolapse and voiding dysfunction
  • Pelvic injuries and complex pelvic conditions
  • Pelvic reconstruction (male and female)
  • Prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement (BPH)
  • Ureteral obstructions, including ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO)
  • Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary or accidental loss of urine. Anyone of any age can experience the condition. Although the incidence of urinary incontinence in both genders tends to increase with age, there are steps you can take to successfully treat any problems that occur.

Our specialists help you identify the best alternative for your specific condition and lifestyle. Because no single treatment works for everyone, we offer a variety of options, including:

  • Behavioral remedies such as bladder retraining, fluid restriction, Kegel exercises, pelvic floor exercises or biofeedback to improve your sense of muscle function
  • Bladder Botox® injections to help control urgency, urge incontinence or frequency
  • Medications for overactive bladder, prostate enlargement, hormonal imbalances, bladder outlet obstruction, muscle relaxation or spasm
  • Sacral neuromodulation therapy to improve urinary retention, urge incontinence or frequency
  • Vaginal devices and injections for stress incontinence in women
  • Surgical procedures for men following radical prostatectomy, such as a bladder sling or artificial urinary sphincter
  • Surgical procedures for women, such as a midurethral sling

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard crystals of various sizes that form in the urine collecting system of the kidney. Formed from substances in the urine, the most common type of stone incorporates calcium to form a crystal with other minerals. Small stones may be barely visible to the naked eye and may pass painlessly from the body in urine. Larger stones may block the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, causing intense pain and potential infection.

At Frankfort Regional, our specialists work with you to determine the best method for removing the stones. We also analyze components of your blood and urine to identify abnormalities that can be treated to prevent or decrease the possibility of stone formation in the future.

Kidney stone risk factors

You may be more likely to develop kidney stones if you:

  • Don't drink enough fluids, on average, over many years
  • Take too much or too little calcium
  • Eat foods with high levels of animal protein
  • Eat high levels of sugar or salt
  • Have medical conditions, such as hyperactive thyroid, gout or Crohn's disease, or other intestinal problems that cause excessive diarrhea
  • Have had gastric bypass or banding-type bariatric surgery

Symptoms of kidney stones

You may not know you have kidney stones until one "passes" by falling into the ureter and blocking the passage of urine from a kidney. You may have one if you experience:

  • Intense pain in the mid to low back, lower abdomen or groin
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blood in the urine
  • High fever
  • Shaking/chills

Treatment for kidney stones

If your physician suspects kidney stones, you may need imaging tests for an accurate diagnosis. Your care team will review the scans to help determine the best treatment option for your particular circumstances.

Kidney stone treatment differs, depending on whether you are experiencing an acute attack or planning a scheduled elective procedure.

Certain conditions—such as a urinary blockage from a kidney stone combined with a urinary infection—require immediate attention, which may include surgery. Our options to treat kidney stones include:

  • Shock wave lithotripsy: Typically an outpatient procedure requiring no incision with general anesthesia, sound waves from outside of the body precisely target the stone and break it into tiny pieces that pass out of the body in urine.
  • Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy: In order to visualize the stone, your doctor places a smalls cope into the ureter and uses a fiber-optic laser to fragment the stone fiber. The remaining pieces are captured and removed.
  • Stent: A long, flexible tube is placed into the ureter to temporarily relieve blockage, relieve pain, support drainage following surgery and allow urine to flow.
  • Medication: You may be able to take medication to dissolve the stone.

Prostate health

A small gland about the size and shape of a walnut, the prostate is part of the male reproductive system. The prostate sits low in the pelvis, below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate can grow as you age, potentially creating urinary flow problems.

The prostate completely surrounds the urethra and may squeeze it enough to cause problems passing urine. Symptoms may appear in men in their thirties and forties but aren't usually noticed until much later in life. Regular check-ups with your doctor can reveal any prostate changes that need attention. Talk to your doctor if you:

  • Pass more urine during the day
  • Have an urgent need to urinate
  • Have less urine flow
  • Feel burning when you urinate
  • Need to get up many times in the night to pass urine

The three most common prostate changes are inflammation (prostatitis), enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) and prostate cancer, which is much less common. Having prostatitis or an enlarged prostate does not increase your risk for prostate cancer.

If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor may recommend screening tests—such as the prostate-specific antigen test combined with a digital rectal exam—to identify next steps.