Patient FAQs

Bring any prior imaging (ultrasound, CT, X-ray) on CD or film, recent blood and urine test reports, and a list of current medications. A brief diary of fluid intake and toilet frequency over 24–48 hours is very helpful if you have urinary symptoms.

For a standard consultation, fasting is not required. If a blood test or ultrasound is planned on the same visit, you may be asked to fast for 4–6 hours beforehand — confirm when booking.

Yes, for follow-up queries and review of existing reports. Initial evaluations and any physical examination must be in person. Contact the clinic directly to arrange a teleconsultation slot.

Yes — even a single episode of visible blood in urine (haematuria) needs evaluation, even if it resolves on its own. Blood can also be present microscopically without being visible to the eye. Both types should be assessed to rule out stones, infection, or other underlying causes.

Yes. The single most effective step is drinking 2.5–3 litres of water daily. For calcium oxalate stones (the most common type), also limit high-oxalate foods (spinach, nuts, chocolate), maintain normal calcium intake, and reduce salt and animal protein. Your stone composition report from the lab will guide more specific advice.

Most guidelines suggest discussing PSA screening from age 50, or from 40–45 if there is a family history of prostate cancer. Symptoms of BPH (non-cancerous enlargement) — weak stream, night-time urination, urgency — can begin in the 40s and should not be dismissed as simply ageing.

BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that develops with age. Prostate cancer is a separate, malignant disease. The two are biologically unrelated — BPH does not turn into cancer and does not increase the risk of developing it. They can, however, coexist in the same gland, and both raise PSA. That is why a PSA test forms part of the standard assessment of prostate symptoms: not because the symptoms suggest cancer, but so that a rising PSA is not missed. An elevated PSA on its own does not mean cancer; interpreting it requires clinical context. Where there is a concern, an MRI of the prostate and, if indicated, a targeted biopsy follow. More on prostate and urinary symptoms →

Yes — and this is one of the main reasons not to simply tolerate significant urinary symptoms. When the prostate obstructs the flow of urine, the bladder no longer empties completely and the resulting back pressure travels up the ureters to the kidneys. Over time the kidneys dilate (hydronephrosis) and gradually lose function, a process called obstructive uropathy. The damage accumulates silently — kidney function can be substantially reduced before anything points to the kidneys rather than the bladder. A serum creatinine test and an ultrasound of the upper tracts are therefore routine in any man with significant or long-standing urinary symptoms.

Often, yes. Where the tight ring of foreskin is soft and unscarred, a potent topical steroid applied for four to eight weeks alongside gentle daily stretching resolves a substantial proportion of cases, and this is the recommended first step. Where there is a hard, pale scarred ring — usually balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) — cream will not resolve it, and circumcision is the definitive treatment. Preputioplasty, a foreskin-sparing operation that widens the tight band, is an option for a localised narrowing without extensive scarring. Which category a case falls into is determined by examination. More on phimosis and circumcision →

Yes — a urinary catheter is placed during prostate surgery (TURP or laser) and is typically removed 1–2 days after the procedure once urine has cleared. Most patients go home once it is out.

A cystoscopy is a visual examination of the bladder using a thin, flexible camera passed through the urethra. Flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthetic gel is uncomfortable rather than painful — most patients tolerate it well in the outpatient setting. Rigid cystoscopy is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia.

TURP stands for transurethral resection of the prostate, and it is the long-established standard surgical treatment for prostate enlargement. A resectoscope — a thin telescope carrying a cutting instrument — is passed along the urethra to the prostate, and the obstructing tissue is removed, widening the channel urine passes through. There is no skin incision. It is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia and usually means one to two nights in hospital, with the catheter removed after 24–48 hours and a return to normal activity in two to four weeks. TURP is not a minor procedure, but it is well tolerated and has a long, well-documented safety record. It suits prostates up to roughly 80 g; larger glands may be better treated by enucleation techniques such as HoLEP. Retrograde ejaculation — semen passing into the bladder — is expected afterwards in most men and should be discussed beforehand where fertility is a consideration.

In the majority of cases, yes. First-line treatment includes oral medications (PDE5 inhibitors), lifestyle changes (weight loss, regular exercise, stopping smoking), and addressing underlying conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Surgical options (penile implants) are only considered when medical treatments have failed.

Sperm usually reappear in the semen within three to six months, and a semen test is used to confirm it. Whether a pregnancy follows depends on many things, including the time since the vasectomy and the female partner's own fertility. Nobody can predict the outcome for an individual couple, and this page does not offer one.

Bedwetting is developmentally normal up to age 5–6. Persistent bedwetting after age 7, any leakage during the day at any age, or secondary bedwetting (returning after 6 consecutive dry months) all warrant a specialist review. Treatment is effective in the vast majority of children when started early.

Recurrent UTIs in girls are common but should be investigated after 2–3 episodes. Causes include inadequate hydration, constipation, hygiene habits, or (less commonly) an anatomical issue with the kidneys or bladder. An ultrasound and urine culture are usually the starting point.