Monthly Archives: August 2017
Preventing Kidney Stones in women
Did you know that women are just as likely to get kidney stones as men??? I don’t know why, but there is a perception that women don’t get stones as often as men. But we all have two kidneys, which is where stones originate.
Stones are literally just that: rocks. If you have never actually seen a kidney stone, they look exactly like rocks. They are made of minerals that crystallize in the kidneys and then conglomerate together to form a stone. As long as the stones are sitting up in your kidney, they usually don’t cause any pain. But if they decide to pass and start heading down the urinary tract, look out. It is the worst pain that humans endure. Women who have had natural childbirth and have a passed a kidney stone will tell you that they would much rather have a baby any day!
You do not want a kidney stone! As much as a I love stone surgery (laser surgery is like playing a video game, all that time playing Ms. Pac-man is paying off now, Mom), I know you don’t want to have to go through that. Here’s how to prevent them:
- Number one is to drink more water and lemonade. The solution to pollution is dilution. If there is so much water flushing through the kidneys that the minerals can’t crystallize, then you won’t get a stone. Lemonade naturally has citric acid which is a stone inhibitor. Homemade lemonade is best, but I’ll be happy if you drink Crystal Light or Chik-fila lemonade. Definitely better than soda or iced tea. Those drinks actually cause stones.
- Drink enough water so that your urine comes out clear.
- Avoid soda and iced tea. Yes, repeating myself.
- Become a vegan. Well, as much as possible. Not only is it the healthiest lifestyle for yourself and the planet, but some of the biggest culprits of kidney stones are meat and dairy. By meat, that includes chicken and fish, as well as beef and pork. You do not need to eat animals to live. I have seen so many people develop kidney stones after doing the Atkins Diet. If you feel you can’t give up your meat, at least limit it to two servings the size of your palm per day. Animal protein metabolizes into something called acid ash which causes stones. It also leaches the calcium from your bones and causes osteoporosis. Read The China Study (the most comprehensive study on nutrition ever conducted) and become vegan. It is not as hard as you think. I did it five years ago.
If you have a family history of stones, you are more prone to get one yourself, so get on this! If you have ever had a stone, you have a 10% chance each year thereafter that you will get another one.
Be healthy and hydrated!!
Dr. P
4 Things You Need to Know About Menopause (spoiler alert: it’s not the end of your sex life)
Ah, menopause. It makes you think about hot flashes and weight gain, but do you know about the common urological and pelvic health problems it creates? Some women experience virtually no symptoms, others’ symptoms are severe, and there are plenty of women in between. But, when your estrogen levels drop, chances are you will notice some not so nice changes in both your vagina and your overall sexual health.
Declining hormone levels are to blame. Estrogen maintains the fluids that keep your vaginal lining thick and elastic. When hormone levels drop, they often take with them vaginal moisture, sexual desire and bladder control. Sounds pretty bad, doesn’t it? There are ways to ease the symptoms, though, and we can help.
Here are four of the most common urological problems due to menopause, and what you can do about them:
- Vaginal Changes – Vaginal tissue thins during menopause, often leaving women with uncomfortable dryness and painful intercourse. This thinning may also lead to recurrent urinary tract infections.
- Overactive Bladder – Declining estrogen levels can also lead to weakened pelvic floor muscles, which leads to urinary incontinence.
Vaginal laxity, dryness and urinary incontinence can all be drastically improved with state of the art treatments known as MonaLisa Touch and ThermiVa. Both in-office procedures are painless and non-invasive, and require no downtime. Houston Female Urology is one of the only practices to offer both technologies, and we can help you decide which option is best for you. MonaLisa Touch and ThermiVa are game-changing procedures, and our patients are thrilled with their results. Learn more about both options: MonaLisa Touch and ThermiVa - Pelvic Organ Prolapse – If pelvic floor muscles weaken too much, you are at risk for prolapse, which basically means one of more of your organs (bladder, uterus, urethra, vagina, small bowel or rectum) drops out of place.
We offer a proven clinical pathway to tighten up pelvic floor muscles. And, no, it’s not just me saying “do your Kegels.” Click here to learn about our effective treatment. - Loss of Libido – Hormonal imbalance can take away your desire for sex. This, in addition to vaginal changes, may cause you to view sex as something to be avoided.
When dealing with loss of libido, our Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) clinic can help. We have a proven treatment plan to help with all types of FSD. Click here to learn more about improving your intimacy.
Cheers to a healthy you!
-Dr. P
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