YOURology News – July 2024

OUR ON-SITE LABORATORY – A VALUABLE ASSET TO PATIENTS

Did you know that The Urology Group has an on-site laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art analytic equipment to provide fast, accurate test results for patients?

• Molecular microbiology: We were a pioneer in Greater Cincinnati for using molecular microbiology to diagnose urine. We look at the genetic make-up of a patient’s urine sample to help determine the best course of treatment.
• Genomic testing: This type of personalized medicine allows us to identify if a patient who has been diagnosed with cancer is at low risk or high risk for developing a more aggressive form of cancer, based on the patient’s genetic make-up. Our lab facilitates sending these tests to an outside lab.
• Genetic testing: The BRCA gene test is a blood test that uses a patient’s DNA to identify patients at greater risk for developing certain cancers. Long used among women for breast cancer, the BRCA test can also signal prostate cancer. We use this test to determine if genetic mutations might be passed on to family members and to guide treatment in some cases.

We also process other standard tests including PSA (prostate-specific antigens) which can be an early indicator of prostate cancer and is used to monitor after-treatment of prostate cancer.

Dr. Alero Fregen Inyang

Dr. Cynthia Westermann

Laboratory Leadership Welcome, Dr. Alero Fregen Inyang, who joined The Urology Group in July to lead our anatomic laboratory services. Dr. Alero comes to us from the great state of Michigan, where she worked as a general surgical pathologist at Sonic Healthcare, Grand Rapids. While Dr. Inyang is taking over some lab responsibilities, Dr. Cynthia Westermann, who has led our lab for nearly 12 years, will continue as lab director.

LISTENING TO HER GUT HELPED A TUG EMPLOYEE SAVE A PATIENT’S LIFE

When tornadoes threatened the Fairfield area in early May, a patient suffering from a urinary tract infection secured herself in her home’s safe space — a stairwell closet. But in so doing, she unwittingly locked herself into the closet.

Fortunately, the patient had her cell phone. She called The Urology Group, leaving a voicemail to say she would be unable to keep her appointment the next morning because she was locked in a closet. Shortly after, her cell phone went dead.

Allyson Webb, Courtney Hall, Tammy Mattlin

Courtney Hall, a diagnostic scheduler and pharmacy tech in The Urology Group’s Kentucky office picked up the voicemail. With scant details, but sensing the potential seriousness of the situation, Courtney alerted her supervisor Allyson Webb. They reached out to Fairfield office manager Tammy Mattlin, who contacted local law enforcement.

When police arrived at the patient’s home, they found her still trapped in the closet, severely dehydrated, with numb legs. The local sheriff told Tammy the patient might have died, had Courtney and her colleagues not acted on their instincts and out of concern for the well-being of the woman. The patient spent time in the hospital, was released, and is now recovering.

This story about TUG heroes comes with a moral, according to Allyson Webb — Pay attention and listen to your gut; you may save a life.

WE’RE MAKING SUMMER FESTIVALS MORE COMFORTABLE

Downtown festivals on both sides of the river are a bit more comfy this summer, thanks to The Urology Group’s More Party, Less Potty luxury restrooms. They’ve been a hit at lots of popular events including these in the coming weeks:

• Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival in Newport, July 19-21
• Glier’s Goettafest in Newport, July 25-28 and August 1-4
• Great Inland Seafood Festival in Newport, August 15-18
• Newport Oktoberfest, September 13-15

As the trailer (pictured here) says: If More Party, Less Potty is your goal, The Urology Group can help. Request an appointment with one of our urologists.

Special thanks to Dr. Michael Dusing and his wife who posed in front of our trailer at the Guinness Cincinnati Celtic Festival.

WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HER SEXUAL HEALTH

If you’re like many women, you’ve experienced problems with your sexual health at some point. And, like many women, you’ve probably avoided telling your doctor. But sexual health problems are common at any age; some become more prevalent as you get older. With the proper medical attention, most of these problems are treatable. At The Urology Group we help women get their love life back with these treatments:

MonaLisa Touch® laser therapy delivers a clinically proven, virtually painless treatment that takes less than five minutes and delivers rapid and lasting relief. MonaLisa Touch stimulates the production of collagen and enhances moisture levels on the vaginal canal to ease painful symptoms during sex.

Vaginal hormone therapy medications come in various forms, including creams, rings, and tablets and can ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. In addition to minimizing vaginal dryness and irritation and improving your sex life, vaginal estrogen is the best prevention for urinary tract infections.

Urinary incontinence (involuntary urine leakage) can stem from a variety of causes, including menopause when estrogen levels drop. Worrying about accidental leakage during intercourse is something no woman wants. Fortunately, there are several minimally invasive treatments available.

Don’t be embarrassed to talk with your urologist about your sex life. It’s a topic we discuss with women every day. Make an appointment to determine the best treatment option for you.

WHAT EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIS SEXUAL HEALTH

It may not be the most popular discussion topic, but erectile dysfunction (ED) is common. In fact, at least half of men older than 50 have some degree of erectile dysfunction.

At The Urology Group we help men restore spontaneity and intimacy every day. If the pills aren’t working, we offer these two long-term solutions for ED:

• Low-intensity shockwave therapy sends gentle pulse waves to various locations on the outside of your penis, increasing blood flow and improving the ability to have an erection. Most men find improvement in just six easy sessions.
• Penile implants are a permanent, surgical solution for ED. There are two types of penile devices – malleable or inflatable – which each give a man direct control of when he achieves an erection, returning spontaneity back to his sex life.

Your sexual wellness shouldn’t be a taboo topic. It’s something we discuss with men every day. Make an appointment to let us help determine the best treatment option for you.