Interstitial Cystitis/Pelvic Pain Syndrome.
This is a condition that is characterized by chronic pelvic pain and pain during intercourse (dysparunia). This condition is typically of sudden onset and has no firmly defined causes. It is a diagnosis of exclusion.This means that the diagnosis could only be made after a thorough investigation that does not find any other cause for the symptoms. Fortunately, this is a treatable condition. Although no cures exist, treatment strategies are tailored to the individual that can allow the woman to return to a normal or near normal lifestyle.

Urinary Incontinence.
This is a very common condition that affects millions of Americans. There are two basic forms: stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Some women have a combination of the two forms. This is called mixed urinary incontinence.
Stress incontinence occurs with physical activity and straining such as sneezing, coughing, picking up grandchildren. It is associated with having given birth, and the changes that occur to the woman's urinary tract with menopause.
Urge incontinence is characterized by the sudden urge to urinate. This can occur at times when it is difficult to find a bathroom. Often the urge is so strong that it results in incontinence.
Women with mixed incontinence have both components. It is characterized by a leak that occurs with sneezing for example, that is followed by an extreme urge and emptying of the bladder.
Effective treatment strategies are available for all types of urinary incontinence.  They include medications and behavior modifications that will often lead to an improved continence status in women with urge incontinence.
Stress incontinence will often fail medical therapy and require a surgical procedure. The surgeries are selected based on the individual needs of the woman. They are performed on an ambulatory basis. Some of the procedures require a brief hospital stay. The surgeons at the New York Urologic Institute are highly trained and experienced with all forms of urinary incontinence. They are able to successfully meet the needs of the majority of women with this psychologically, socially difficult problem. Honest, confidential consultations are available by appointment.

Urinary tract infection.
The reaction of the urinary tract to the presence of bacteria. Any organ of the urinary tract can be involved.; In women the infections are usually isolated to the bladder (cystitis). However, the kidneys could also be involved (pyelonephritis).
People often experience pain on urination (dysuria), fever, chills, night sweats. Urine culture will identify the organism responsible for causing the infection. Antibiotics are almost always curative. Many infections in women occur as a result of sexual activity and or their choice of birth control methods. Often behavior modification will prevent future infections. Recurrent urinary tract infections are unusual and warrant investigation. Kidney stones or structural abnormalities of the urinary tract could predispose to recurrent infections. Effective treatment strategies can almost always be developed to meet the needs of the individual woman.The urologists at the New York Urologic Institute are experienced with the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of urinary tract infections. Honest, confidential consultations are available by appointment.

Kidney Stones.
Some of the most common urologic problems are caused by kidney stone disease. These stones (calculi) are associated with living in a warm climate, inadequate fluid consumption, diets high in meats and salt, certain genetic pre-dispositions and urinary tract abnormalities. There are several substances that form kidney stones but the majority of stones contain the metal calcium. Kidney stones cause extremely severe, sudden pain when passing (renal colic). They can also be responsible for recurrent urinary tract infections, kidney failure, blood in the urine (hematuria). Fortunately, kidney stones have proven themselves to be effectively treatable with minimally invasive surgical techniques. The technique for treatment is chosen based on location, size and sometimes the chemical composition of the stone.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) - This is an effective treatment method of stones in the kidney. It requires no incisions and minimal anesthesia. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) - This procedure is reserved for large kidney stones often referred to as Staghorn Calculi. It is performed through an incision approximately 10mm (1/2 inch) in length. Several days of hospitalization are usually required.

Ureteroscopy - Excellent for treating stones stuck in the structure that connects the kidney to the bladder (ureter). No incisions are necessary. A laser is often used to completely obliterate the stone. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.

Ureteral Stent - No discussion of kidney stone disease is complete without discussing this device. It is a soft silastic tube that is placed without incision into the structure that connects the kidney to the bladder (ureter). This devise helps to relieve the pain associated with kidney stone passage and can facilitate the passage of the kidney stone. Often it is used in combination with the treatment modalities discussed above. The stent is removed a short time after the stone has passed or is successfully treated.