All Posts

Seeing a specialist for the first time can feel daunting, especially for problems that are personal or embarrassing. This guide explains what happens before, during and after your first private urology appointment at OX Urology, so you know exactly what to expect. Before your appointment Do I need a GP referral? Self-funding patients do not need a GP referral – you can book directly Insured patients usually need a GP referral and a pre-authorisation number from your insurer b

Being told your PSA is "raised" is a common reason for men to see a urologist – and a common cause of worry. The good news is that most men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer. This guide explains what the PSA test is, why it goes up and what happens next. What is PSA? PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein made by the prostate gland. Small amounts leak into the bloodstream, where it can be measured with a simple blood test. PSA is made by normal prostate tiss

Seeing blood in your urine can be frightening. Most of the time the cause turns out to be something simple and treatable, such as an infection or a kidney stone. But blood in the urine (doctors call it haematuria) should never be ignored, because in a small number of people it is the first sign of a more serious problem, such as a bladder or kidney tumour, which is far easier to treat when found early. Two types of haematuria Visible haematuria You can see the blood yourself:

By Mr Sarp Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon Tablets such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) help many men, but around one in three do not get a good enough result – especially men with diabetes, after prostate cancer surgery, or with more severe blood vessel disease. Others cannot take tablets because of heart medicines, or simply dislike the side effects. If this sounds like you, it is important to know that tablets failing does not mean you have run out of o

By Mr Sarp Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon Low-intensity shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) is one of the most talked-about treatments for erectile dysfunction. It is widely advertised – sometimes with bold claims of a "cure". This guide sets out what the treatment involves, who it may help, and – just as important – who it is unlikely to help, so you can make an informed decision. What is shockwave therapy for ED? Shockwave therapy uses gentle, low-energy sound (acoustic) wav

What is premature ejaculation? Premature ejaculation (PE) means ejaculating sooner than you or your partner would like, with little control over the timing, and feeling distressed or frustrated by it. It is the most common sexual problem in men – more common than erectile dysfunction – and it can happen at any age. Yet very few men ask for help, often because of embarrassment or a belief that nothing can be done. In fact, PE is very treatable. What counts as "premature"? Ther

How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed? The aim of the assessment is to answer three questions: What is the main cause of your erection problem? Is there an underlying health issue, such as diabetes, heart disease or low testosterone, that needs attention in its own right? Which treatment is most likely to work for you? For most men, the diagnosis is made from a careful conversation, a short examination and a few blood tests. More specialised tests are only needed in selected

Erection problems are very common – around half of men between 40 and 70 have some difficulty at some point – yet many men wait years before asking for help. The good news is that almost every man with erectile dysfunction (ED) can be helped, and in most cases without any operation. At OX Urology, Mr Sarp Keskin offers private, consultant-led andrology clinics in Oxford and Banbury, with a strong focus on finding the cause and getting you the right treatment quickly. Is this

Can erectile dysfunction be treated? Yes. Almost every man with ED can be helped. Treatment is usually given step by step, starting with the simplest options and moving on only if needed. Most men find a solution without any operation. Step 1 – Treating the cause and your general health Before, or alongside, any erection treatment: Stopping smoking – smoking damages the small blood vessels in the penis Regular exercise – around 150 minutes of brisk activity a week has been sh

What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, means having repeated difficulty getting or keeping an erection that is firm enough for satisfying sex. Almost every man has the occasional "off night" – after too much alcohol, when tired, stressed or unwell. That is normal and is not ED. Doctors usually talk about ED when the problem happens on most occasions, or has been going on for several months. ED is very common: Around half of men ag

If you are a man living with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH), you may be getting up several times a night, waiting for your flow to start, or never quite feeling empty. Tablets help many men, but not everyone, and many men would rather avoid long-term medication or traditional surgery. At OX Urology, Mr Sarp Keskin offers two modern, minimally invasive options in Oxford: Aquablation and Rezūm. Is this right for me? You may benefit from a consultation

Kidney and ureteric stones can cause some of the most severe pain a person can experience, and even stones that are not causing pain can lead to infection or kidney damage if left untreated. At OX Urology, Mr Sarp Keskin, an expert stone surgeon and endourologist, provides fast, private, consultant-led stone care. When to seek help Severe pain in the side, back or groin, often coming in waves Blood in the urine A stone found on a scan that needs a plan Repeated stones, or a f

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon Foreskin problems are remarkably common in adult men, yet they remain one of the most under-discussed topics in men’s health. Out of embarrassment or modesty, many men suffer in silence for months—or even years—dealing with painful erections, tearing during intimacy, or a foreskin so tight it cannot be pulled back at all. When patients finally walk into my clinic, they often ask: "Why is my foreskin shrinking?", "Why has the skin

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon Finding a lump anywhere on your body can trigger instant anxiety, but discovering a bump in your scrotum often brings a unique wave of panic. Every week in my clinic, men walk through the door convinced that a small lump they found while showering means they have testicular cancer. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, these small, painless lumps are completely harmless fluid-filled sacs known as epididymal cysts (or sperma

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon Noticing a sudden or gradual enlargement in your scrotum can be a frightening experience. Many of my patients walk into my clinic quietly fearing the worst—often worrying that a swollen testicle means testicular cancer. Fortunately, one of the most common causes of non-painful scrotal swelling in adult men is a benign, treatable condition called a hydrocele. A hydrocele is a painless collection of clear fluid surrounding one (or

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon When treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)—the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland—urologists face a classic medical dilemma: how to remove enough tissue to deliver powerful, lasting relief to a man's urinary stream without causing permanent damage to his sexual function. Traditional surgical methods like TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) or laser surgery effectively carve away obstructing tissue, b

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon If you are a man over 50 experiencing a weak urine flow, waking up three times a night to use the bathroom, or feeling like your bladder never quite empties, you are likely dealing with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)—an enlarged prostate gland. For years, the standard path for BPH was a choice between taking daily prescription medications for life (which often bring side effects like fatigue or sexual dysfunction) or undergoi

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon If you feel like you are trapped in an endless cycle of painful urination, burning, urgent trips to the bathroom, and endless rounds of antibiotics, you are far from alone. Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are one of the most frustrating, draining, and disruptive conditions I see in my clinic. Too often, patients are simply handed another standard antibiotic script and sent on their way, only for symptoms to return week

By Prof. Keskin, Consultant Urological Surgeon If you or a loved one has recently been told that you need a long-term urinary catheter, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated. Many of my patients walk into my clinic feeling as though their independence has been cut short by a piece of plastic tubing. The first thing I tell my patients is this: a catheter is a tool designed to protect your kidneys, relieve your bladder, and give you back control of

Medical treatment for BPH For many men, the first active step is medication. The aim is to relieve symptoms and improve urine flow. Main groups of medicines: Alpha-blockers Relax the smooth muscle in and around the prostate and bladder neck Help the urine channel open more easily Often start to work within days or weeks Possible side-effects: Tiredness, dizziness or low blood pressure Occasionally, semen going backwards into the bladder during orgasm (retrograde ejaculation).