Urology
Comprehensive urological care for all ages.
SSM Health urologists offer high quality, comprehensive, patient-centered urologic care for a broad variety of issues, including enlarged prostate, urologic cancers, kidney stones and incontinence. Our patients receive personalized care, and enjoy access to the some of the most advanced and minimally invasive treatments available.
To serve you better, please set your location for information on services available in your area.
Our urology team is committed to providing exceptional specialty care men, women and children.
Kidney stones are small, hard crystals that form inside your kidneys when salts and other minerals bond together in your urine.
What conditions does a urologist treat?
The specialists at SSM Health provide treatment for a variety of urological conditions including:
- Bladder problems, including incontinence
- Blood in your urine
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH; also knows as enlarged prostate)
- Erectile dysfunction/Impotence
- Kidney stones (urolithiasis)
- Low testosterone
- Overactive bladder
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Persistent urinary tract infections
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction
- Urinary urgency and frequency
- Urologic cancers (bladder, prostate, renal, testicular)
Do urologists perform surgery?
Our urologists perform surgery when necessary, including minimally invasive laser and laparoscopic surgery, and endoscopic procedures, including:
- Adult circumcision
- Artificial genitourinary sphincters
- Bladder Botox
- ESWL (shockwave lithotripsy)
- Hydrocelectomy
- InterStim therapy for bladder control problems
- Laparoscopic nephrectomy
- Laser stone removal
- Nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney)
- Penile prosthesis
- Greenlight PVP
- Pyeloplasty (surgical treatment for ureteropelvic junction/UPJ obstruction)
- Robotic cystectomy
- Robotic partial nephrectomy
- Robotic pyeloplasty
- Robotic radical prostatectomy
- Transurethral bladder tumor removal
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Ureteral stent placement
- Ureteroscopy
- Urodynamics
- UroLift®
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are small, hard crystals that form inside your kidneys when salts and other minerals bond together in your urine. They vary in shape and size. Some stones pass naturally through the urinary tract, while others require surgical intervention. Kidney stones can be quite painful, but they usually don’t cause permanent damage when treated appropriately.
SSM Health offers expertise in the treatment and care of kidney stones, ranging from conservative measures to the surgical removal of the stones.
If you have signs and symptoms of kidney stones, your doctor may perform a series of diagnostic tests and procedures, including blood and urine testing and imaging tests to see if kidney stones are present in your urinary tract.
If you are diagnosed with kidney stones, treatment will depend on the size and type of kidney stone. For small stones that are not causing painful symptoms, your doctor may suggest conservative measures to help you pass the stones, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and drinking a lot of water. For larger stones, your doctor may refer you to a urologist for more extensive treatment to remove the stones.
Common symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Severe pain in the side or back below the ribs that might spread to the abdomen or groin area
- Painful urination or urinary urge or frequency
- Blood in the urine or foul smelling urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pink, red or brown urine
- Fever and chills (sometimes)
There are no known causes for the development of kidney stones but there are some common risk factors, which include:
- Family or personal history
- Dehydration
- Diet high in protein, sodium or sugar
- Obesity
- Digestive diseases and surgery
How to request a prostate screening (PSA) consultation:
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men: about 1 in 7 will be diagnosed. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. It is also one of the most treatable cancers, which is why it is crucial to seek annual screenings.
If you are a male over the age of 50, contact one of our locations to start your screening today.
- Call SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton at 636-496-5080
- Call SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis at 314-209-5232
- Call SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - St. Charles at 636-669-3080
- Call SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis at 636-625-2662
Note: SSM Health urologists do not accept Cigna Connect Care insurance plans.
