UroNurse

VASECTOMY: What Every Man Should Know Before, During & After the Procedure

What is a vasectomy really like? Is it painful? How long does the procedure take? What is recovery like? And perhaps most importantly—when does a vasectomy actually become effective?

In this episode of UroNurse, host Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA is joined by Alex Hughes, LEAD FNP – Urology, for an informative conversation about vasectomy and what men should know before deciding whether it is right for them.

A vasectomy is a common form of permanent male contraception, but many men have questions about what actually happens during the procedure and what to expect afterward.

In this episode, we discuss important questions including:

• What exactly happens during a vasectomy?
• How is the procedure performed?
• How long does a vasectomy usually take?
• What can a man expect during the procedure?
• Is a vasectomy painful?
• What is recovery like?
• When can you return to normal activities and exercise?
• What symptoms are normal after a vasectomy?
• When should you contact your healthcare provider?
• Why is a semen analysis necessary after a vasectomy?
• How long does it take before a vasectomy is considered effective?
• Does a vasectomy affect testosterone, erections, ejaculation, or sexual function?
• Can a vasectomy be reversed?
• What should men consider before choosing permanent contraception?

This conversation is designed to provide straightforward, patient-friendly information about vasectomy, helping men understand the procedure, recovery, follow-up, and important questions to discuss with their healthcare provider.

Whether you're considering a vasectomy, scheduled for the procedure, supporting a partner, or simply want to understand male sterilization, this episode of UroNurse provides practical information from a urology perspective.

🎙️ HOST:
Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA

👨‍⚕️ GUEST PRESENTER:
Alex Hughes, LEAD FNP – Urology

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💬 QUESTION FOR VIEWERS:
If you've had a vasectomy, what is one thing you wish you had known before the procedure? Share your experience or questions in the comments.

#Vasectomy #VasectomyRecovery #VasectomyProcedure #MensHealth #Urology #MaleSterilization #VasectomyPain #VasectomyReversal #UroNurse #ProstateHealth #SexualHealth #PatientEducation

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

What is the connection between hormone health, menopause, sexual health, urinary health, and urologic health?

In this episode of UroNurse, host Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, welcomes Sharon Lemoine, ARNP, FNP-C, to explore the important intersection between hormone health and urologic health.

Hormonal changes can affect much more than hot flashes or menstrual cycles. Changes in estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones may influence the urinary tract, bladder function, vaginal and genital health, sexual function, libido, pelvic health, sleep, energy, and overall quality of life.

Sharon Lemoine brings her experience as an advanced practice provider to a conversation designed to help healthcare professionals and patients better understand how hormonal health can intersect with urologic and sexual health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The relationship between hormones and urologic health
• How menopause and hormonal changes can affect the urinary and genital systems
• Genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM)
• Vaginal and urinary symptoms associated with declining estrogen
• Hormones and sexual health and intimacy
• Changes in libido and sexual function
• The relationship between menopause, bladder symptoms, and urinary health
• Why hormone health should be considered when evaluating certain urologic symptoms
• The importance of individualized patient assessment and treatment
• How healthcare professionals can improve conversations about menopause, hormones, urinary symptoms, and sexual health
• Why patients should feel comfortable discussing intimate symptoms with their healthcare providers

This conversation is especially relevant for urology nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, primary care providers, women's health professionals, pelvic health professionals, and patients looking for understandable information about the connection between hormones and urologic health.

About Sharon Lemoine, ARNP, FNP-C

Sharon Lemoine is an advanced practice provider with a focus on health and wellness. Her perspective adds an important dimension to the conversation about hormone health, menopause, sexual health, and patient-centered care.

About UroNurse

UroNurse is hosted and presented by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, bringing healthcare professionals and patients together through conversations about urology, men's and women's health, sexual health, technology, treatments, and the evolving world of healthcare.

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👍 Like this video, subscribe to UroNurse, and share it with colleagues, patients, friends, and family who may benefit from this conversation.

Keywords: hormone health, urologic health, hormone health and urology, menopause, menopause symptoms, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, GSM, urinary health, bladder health, women's urology, sexual health, sexual wellness, libido, vaginal health, urinary symptoms, hormone therapy, estrogen, testosterone, pelvic health, urology nursing, urology nurse, nurse practitioner, menopause and urinary health, menopause and sexual health, hormone therapy and urology, Vic Senese, Sharon Lemoine, UroNurse.

#HormoneHealth #UrologicHealth #Menopause #SexualHealth #WomensHealth #BladderHealth #Urology #UroNurse #Hormones #PelvicHealth

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

Join Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, for a special edition of UroNurse, LIVE from Las Vegas at the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) meeting!

We're bringing you the excitement, camaraderie, professional connections, and behind-the-scenes atmosphere of one of the important gatherings for urology nursing professionals. From reconnecting with colleagues and sharing experiences to celebrating the people who make a difference in urologic healthcare, Las Vegas provides the perfect backdrop for this special UroNurse episode.

🌟 WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS?

📍 Live from Las Vegas: Experience the SUNA meeting through the eyes of a longtime urology nurse and educator.

👩‍⚕️ Urology Nursing Community: Celebrate the nurses, advanced practice providers, educators, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving urologic care.

🤝 Networking & Connections: Discover the value of professional relationships, shared experiences, and collaboration within the urology community.

🎓 Education & Professional Growth: Celebrate ongoing learning, new ideas, and the commitment to advancing urology nursing practice.

🎲 A Little Vegas Fun: After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas… unless Vic brings a camera!

Whether you're a urology nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, medical assistant, healthcare educator, or someone passionate about urologic health, this special episode celebrates the people and experiences that make our professional community unique.

ABOUT URONURSE

UroNurse provides educational conversations, professional insights, and information for the urology healthcare community. Hosted and presented by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, a nationally recognized urology nurse, educator, and advocate, UroNurse connects healthcare professionals through digital education and shared experiences.

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Don't miss upcoming interviews, educational programs, and conversations covering urology nursing, clinical practice, patient education, and advances in urologic healthcare.

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👍 Like this video, share it with your colleagues, and leave a comment: What's your favorite memory from a SUNA meeting?

#SUNA #UrologyNursing #UroNurse #SUNAConference #Urology #NursingEducation #LasVegas #HealthcareProfessionals #NurseEducator #UrologicNursing

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

BCG is one of the most fascinating stories in modern urology. Originally developed as a vaccine against tuberculosis, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin eventually became an important immunotherapy for selected patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

In this edition of UroNurse News, Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, takes you through The Story of BCG — from its development by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin in the early 20th century to the landmark use of intravesical BCG for bladder cancer.

BCG was developed from an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis and became a tuberculosis vaccine. Researchers later discovered that BCG could stimulate immune responses against cancer. In 1976, Dr. Álvaro Morales and colleagues reported the use of BCG directly inside the bladder for recurrent superficial bladder tumors. 

That discovery helped establish intravesical BCG as a major treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Subsequent clinical trials demonstrated reductions in bladder cancer recurrence, helping establish BCG as an important form of cancer immunotherapy. 

In this episode, we explore:

🔹 The origins of BCG
🔹 Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin
🔹 How a TB vaccine became cancer immunotherapy
🔹 Dr. Álvaro Morales and the landmark 1976 study
🔹 Why BCG is placed directly into the bladder
🔹 How BCG stimulates the immune system
🔹 Why BCG remains important in bladder cancer treatment
🔹 What happens when bladder cancer becomes BCG-unresponsive

The story of BCG demonstrates how unexpected discoveries can transform medicine.

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The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

If you have a significantly enlarged prostate and medications or other treatments are no longer providing enough relief, your urologist may discuss simple prostatectomy as a treatment option for severe benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

But what is the difference between a robotic simple prostatectomy and an open simple prostatectomy?

In this episode of UroPatient, hosted by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, and joined by co-host Laurie Atkinson, RN, FAUNA, we take a closer look at these two surgical approaches and explain what patients may want to know before discussing simple prostatectomy with their urologist.

A simple prostatectomy removes the enlarged inner portion of the prostate that is causing urinary obstruction. It is different from a radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate as part of prostate cancer treatment.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What a simple prostatectomy is
• Why simple prostatectomy may be recommended for men with a very large prostate
• The difference between robotic simple prostatectomy and open simple prostatectomy
• How the two procedures are performed
• The role of robotic-assisted surgery
• Incisions and surgical access
• Hospital recovery and length of stay
• Urinary catheter considerations after surgery
• Possible differences in pain and recovery
• Bleeding and other potential complications
• How urinary symptoms may improve after surgery
• Recovery at home
• When patients may return to normal activities
• Questions to ask your urologist before choosing a surgical approach

Robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy uses several small abdominal incisions and robotic surgical instruments controlled by the surgeon. The approach may offer advantages such as smaller incisions and potentially easier recovery for some patients.

Open simple prostatectomy uses a larger incision to access the prostate. Although it is a more traditional surgical approach, it remains an important option for selected patients, particularly those with very large prostates or specific anatomical considerations.

So, is robotic simple prostatectomy better than open surgery?

There isn't one answer for every patient.

The best approach depends on factors such as prostate size, anatomy, previous abdominal or prostate procedures, the surgeon's experience, available technology, overall health, and the patient's individual goals and preferences.

The purpose of this episode is to help patients understand the conversation they should have with their urologist before making a treatment decision.

If you or someone you know has BPH, an enlarged prostate, urinary obstruction, weak urine flow, urinary retention, or is considering prostate surgery, this episode can help you understand some of the terminology and questions surrounding simple prostatectomy.

Hosted by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA

👉 Subscribe to my UroNurse YouTube channel:
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simple prostatectomy, robotic simple prostatectomy, open simple prostatectomy, robotic vs open prostatectomy, BPH surgery, enlarged prostate surgery, benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH treatment, prostate surgery, robotic prostate surgery, prostatectomy recovery, large prostate treatment, urinary obstruction, urinary retention, urology, urology nurse, UroPatient, Vic Senese

#OpenProstatectomy #BPH #EnlargedProstate #BPHSurgery #ProstateSurgery #Urology #UroPatient #UroNurse #MensHealth #ProstateHealth

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

What are the best treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 2026? And where does the innovative Optilume BPH Catheter System fit into the growing range of treatments available for men with an enlarged prostate?

In this episode of UroNurse, host Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, is joined by BPH expert Dean Elterman, MD, for an in-depth discussion about the evolving treatment landscape for BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms.

BPH is one of the most common conditions affecting aging men and can cause urinary frequency, urgency, weak urinary stream, difficulty starting urination, incomplete bladder emptying, and nighttime urination. While medications such as alpha blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors remain important treatment options, today's patients have more choices than ever—including minimally invasive procedures and surgical therapies.

In this discussion, we'll explore Optilume for BPH, how the technology works, which patients may be candidates, and how it compares with other contemporary BPH treatment options.

We'll also discuss:

• What is BPH and why does the prostate enlarge with age?
• Common symptoms of an enlarged prostate
• When medications may be appropriate
• Alpha blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
• Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors such as tadalafil
• Minimally invasive treatments for BPH
• How the Optilume BPH procedure works
• Potential benefits and limitations of Optilume
• UroLift and other minimally invasive options
• Rezūm water vapor therapy
• Aquablation therapy
• HoLEP and other laser procedures
• TURP and traditional surgical treatment
• How prostate size and anatomy influence treatment selection
• Preserving sexual function and ejaculation when choosing a BPH procedure
• Recovery, durability, and patient expectations
• How physicians and patients can approach shared decision-making
• What men should ask their urologist before choosing a BPH treatment

OPTILUME FOR BPH

Optilume represents an important development in minimally invasive BPH treatment. The technology combines mechanical dilation with delivery of the drug paclitaxel to the prostatic urethra. We'll discuss what that means for patients and how this approach fits into the broader BPH treatment landscape.

WHICH BPH TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

There is no single best BPH treatment for every man. The right choice can depend on prostate size, prostate anatomy, symptom severity, urinary retention, medications, bladder function, overall health, and the importance of preserving sexual and ejaculatory function.

That's why understanding the differences between Optilume, UroLift, Rezūm, Aquablation, HoLEP, TURP, medications, and other BPH treatments is so important.

Join Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, and Dean Elterman, MD, as they examine where BPH treatment is heading and what today's patients should know before making a treatment decision.

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

Tadalafil: What Does It Treat Besides Erectile Dysfunction?

When most people hear tadalafil, they think of erectile dysfunction—or ED. But tadalafil is used for more than helping with erections.

In this episode of UroNurse News, host Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, is joined by co-host Laurie Atkinson, RN, FAUNA, to explain the important medical uses of tadalafil and why this medication may be prescribed for conditions beyond sexual performance.

Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that can affect blood flow and smooth muscle in different parts of the body. Depending on the dose and indication, tadalafil may be used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)and the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. It is also approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under specific dosing and medical supervision.

In this episode, Vic and Laurie discuss:

• What tadalafil is and how it works
• Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction
• Tadalafil for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• How tadalafil may improve urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate
• Tadalafil and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
• Why tadalafil can have effects beyond erections
• Common side effects and important precautions
• Why tadalafil should not be combined with nitrates
• Why patients should discuss medications and health conditions with their healthcare professional
• The difference between tadalafil dosing for different medical conditions

If you've been prescribed Cialis or tadalafil and want to understand why, this episode provides a straightforward overview of the medication and its uses.

Hosted by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA
Co-host: Laurie Atkinson, RN, FAUNA

Subscribe to the UroNurse YouTube channel for more urology education, men's health information, medication discussions, bladder health, prostate health, sexual health and the latest urology news:

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Keywords: tadalafil, tadalafil uses, Cialis, Cialis uses, erectile dysfunction, ED treatment, BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlarged prostate, BPH treatment, urinary symptoms, tadalafil for BPH, tadalafil for ED, pulmonary arterial hypertension, PAH, PDE5 inhibitors, men's health, prostate health, urology, urology nurse, UroNurse, Vic Senese, Laurie Atkinson.

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

In this episode of UroNurse, host Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, is joined by Matthew Galsky, MD, an internationally recognized expert in genitourinary oncology, to discuss the rapidly evolving role of immunotherapy in bladder cancerand how practice-changing advances are moving from clinical trials into everyday patient care.

Bladder cancer treatment has entered a new era. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, targeted therapies, and emerging treatment combinations are changing how clinicians approach patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), metastatic urothelial carcinoma, and advanced bladder cancer.

In this conversation, Dr. Galsky discusses important developments in bladder cancer immunotherapy and the implications for urology, oncology, and multidisciplinary patient care.

• The current role of immunotherapy in bladder cancer
• How immune checkpoint inhibitors are changing treatment strategies
• The evolution of treatment for advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma
• Practice-changing clinical trial results
• How new therapies are being incorporated into clinical practice
• Immunotherapy before and after surgery
• Treatment considerations for muscle-invasive bladder cancer
• Advances in treatment for patients who are not candidates for traditional approaches
• The expanding role of combination therapies
• Antibody-drug conjugates and their impact on bladder cancer treatment
• How clinicians should think about rapidly emerging treatment options
• The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between urology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and nursing
• What these advances mean for bladder cancer patients and their families
• What urology nurses and other healthcare professionals should know about the changing treatment landscape
• The future direction of bladder cancer research and immunotherapy

For decades, treatment options for advanced bladder cancer were relatively limited. Today, clinicians have an increasingly sophisticated range of systemic therapies and treatment combinations.

Understanding these developments is particularly important for urology nurses, advanced practice providers, urologists, medical oncologists, and other healthcare professionals who care for patients throughout the bladder cancer journey.

This episode provides an educational discussion of the science, clinical evidence, and evolving treatment strategies behind modern bladder cancer immunotherapy.

Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to stay current on urothelial carcinoma treatment, a urology nurse following advances in oncology, or a patient seeking to better understand the rapidly changing bladder cancer treatment landscape, this discussion provides valuable perspective from an expert in genitourinary oncology.

Hosted by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA

🎙️ Guest: Matthew Galsky, MD

Subscribe to the UroNurse YouTube channel for more interviews, clinical education, urology news, and discussions with leading experts in urologic healthcare:

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The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

Topics discussed include:Why this mattersKeywords

Can prostate artery embolization (PAE) provide an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for men with an enlarged prostate?

In this episode, Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, explores Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) with Dr. Ayygari, as part of a myCME.com educational series on PAE.

PAE is an increasingly important treatment option for men experiencing symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. Unlike traditional prostate surgery, PAE is performed by an interventional radiologist using a catheter to selectively block blood flow to portions of the prostate. The goal is to reduce prostate volume and improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH.

In this episode, we take a closer look at how prostate artery embolization works, how physicians identify the prostate arteries, and where PAE fits among today's treatment options for BPH.

• What is prostate artery embolization (PAE)?
• How PAE treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• How the prostate's blood supply affects the procedure
• How physicians identify the prostate arteries
• The role of cone-beam CT during PAE
• How embolization particles reduce blood flow to the prostate
• What happens to the prostate after embolization
• Potential benefits of PAE
• Possible risks and complications
• PAE compared with traditional prostate procedures
• PAE compared with medications for BPH
• Who may be an appropriate candidate for PAE
• What patients should ask their urologist and interventional radiologist
• The evolving role of PAE in the treatment of LUTS and enlarged prostate

Prostate Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce blood flow to the prostate. During the procedure, an interventional radiologist guides a small catheter through an artery—often beginning through the wrist or groin—and navigates to the arteries supplying the prostate.

Tiny embolic particles are then delivered to selected prostate arteries. By reducing blood flow, the prostate can shrink over time, potentially improving urinary symptoms.

One of the fascinating aspects of PAE is that prostate vascular anatomy varies from patient to patient. Advanced imaging, including cone-beam CT, can help physicians identify the appropriate vessels and confirm blood flow during the procedure.

🔎 Topics discussed include:🩺 What is PAE?

*The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

Voiding Trial: What’s the BEST Way to Perform It? Survey Says!

What is the best way to perform a voiding trial after catheter removal? Should you use the fill-and-pull method, allow the bladder to fill naturally, measure the post-void residual (PVR), or follow another approach?

Survey says... there may be more than one way to do it!

In this episode, Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, explores the important question of how healthcare professionals perform and evaluate a voiding trial, also known as a trial without catheter (TWOC). From bladder filling techniques to determining whether a patient has successfully passed the trial, this episode examines common approaches and the variation that exists in clinical practice.

A voiding trial is frequently performed after urinary catheter removal, including following urologic procedures, surgery, episodes of urinary retention, and other situations where clinicians need to determine whether a patient can safely and effectively empty their bladder.

🔹 What a voiding trial or trial without catheter (TWOC) is
🔹 Why a voiding trial is performed
🔹 The difference between a retrograde fill-and-pull voiding trial and spontaneous bladder filling
🔹 How much fluid may be instilled during a bladder-filled voiding trial
🔹 What measurements may be used to evaluate successful bladder emptying
🔹 The role of voided volume and post-void residual (PVR)
🔹 Why there is variation in voiding-trial protocols
🔹 Important factors that may influence whether a patient passes or fails a voiding trial
🔹 Why standardized protocols can be valuable in clinical practice
🔹 What the survey reveals about how healthcare professionals approach voiding trials

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Hosted by Vic Senese, RN, BSN, FAUNA, bringing practical urology education, clinical discussions, expert insights, and healthcare conversations to urology professionals and others interested in the field.

The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:What Is a Voiding Trial?Why Does the Method Matter?