News & Events

News & Events

Men’s Guide to Urinary Incontinence

While women are more likely than men to experience urinary incontinence, the condition can be especially troublesome for men. Men seek care from incontinence after living with the problem for about 4.2 years on average. You don’t have to wait years to get some help. Take control by reading this men’s guide to urinary incontinence.

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Dr. Mercado Is The Woodlands’ First To Offer iTind

What Is The iTind™ Procedure?

Miguel Mercado, M.D. is the first in North Houston to perform the iTind ™ procedure for the minimally invasive treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. This new procedure is an effective alternative to invasive surgeries, drugs and permanent implants.

Dr. Mercado and the team with a banner.

Miguel Mercado, M.D. is very excited to be able to offer this new minimally invasive procedure to men who are suffering from the bothersome symptoms of BPH and are looking for a treatment option that is proven to not compromise sexual function.

Understanding BPH

BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate and one of the most common diseases in aging men. BPH affects approximately 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90% of men over the age of 80. Symptoms of this common condition include frequent urination with a sense of urgency and a weak urinary stream, which can include excessive urination at night. When suffered over time, these symptoms can have a negative impact on the overall quality of life. Thanks to recent technology, Dr. Mercado is able to provide more minimally invasive treatment options beyond drugs and surgery.

How Does iTind Work?

The iTind procedure involves the temporary placement of a nitinol device that reshapes the prostatic urethra without burning or cutting out tissue, and without leaving behind a permanent implant. The device remains in place for five to seven days while the patient is at home, and clinical trials have proven that, upon removal, patients experience immediate relief of their symptoms without any effect on their sexual function.

The iTind device is indicated for men aged 50 and above. As with any medical procedure, implantation of the iTind device comes with the possibility of side effects, including pelvic discomfort, blood in urine, painful or urgent urination. In rare cases, the iTind device may cause urinary tract infection or a sudden difficulty to urinate.

To learn more about iTind and see if it may be the right treatment option for you, schedule a visit with Dr. Mercado.

Schedule a BPH Consultation in The Woodlands, TX

For more information about this new BPH treatment option, please call Texas Urology Specialists at (281) 351-5174.

 

1 What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)? UrologyHealth.org.

https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(bph). Updated September

2021. Accessed March 8, 2022.

2 Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Urology Care Foundation. Accessed November 12, 2021.

https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(bph)

3 Alcaraz A, Carballido-Rodríguez J, Unda-Urzaiz M, et al. Quality of life in patients with lower urinary

tract symptoms associated with BPH: change over time in real-life practice according to treatment–the

QUALIPROST study. Int Urol Nephrol. 2016;48(5):645-656. doi:10.1007/s11255-015-1206-7

4 Chughtai B, Elterman D, Shore N, et al. The iTind Temporarily Implanted Nitinol Device for the

Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A

Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial [published online ahead of print, 2020 Dec 26]. Urology.

2020;S0090-4295(20)31520-X. DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2020.12.022

Is There A Connection Between BPH And Prostate Cancer?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is an enlargement of the prostate gland in men. The prostate gland enlarges as a man ages causing inconvenient symptoms in the urinary tract. It is not really a dangerous condition, but it should be monitored to prevent complications in the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract. Many men wonder if is there a connection between BPH and prostate cancer. Let’s find out.

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What Are The Benefits Of A No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

If you are thinking about having a vasectomy, think long and hard. Once you are sure that you do not want any more children, you may decide to have a no-scalpel vasectomy. That would be a good decision, and we can stipulate that fact. Let’s dive into the benefits of a no-scalpel vasectomy.

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Can BPH Be Prevented?

Just like women, men find that as they get older, certain parts of their body get larger. Think stomach and prostate gland. We could go on, but you get the picture. A man’s prostate gland can change from the size of a walnut up to as large as an orange, which is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). When this happens later in life, it causes symptoms and sometimes complications. Can BPH be prevented?

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