We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Natale has been recognized as a penile implant center of excellence for the AMS 700 three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis. Boston Scientific, the device manufacturer, conferred this designation on Dr. Natale, which recognizes not only the volume of penile prostheses that Dr. Natale has implanted but, more importantly, the exceptional outcomes his patients have enjoyed. Indeed, Dr. Natale is one of the leading penile prosthesis implant specialists in the United States, and this is a testament to his dedication to helping patients overcome what is a life ..read more

In the world of erectile dysfunction or ED and men’s sexual health, there are few words that are more recognizable than Viagra and Cialis. These two drugs revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction and became synonymous with several very positive (and sometimes negative) connotations. Today, both drugs are off-patent; as such, there are generic forms, including Sildenafil and Tadalafil, respectively. When we prescribe one of these medications, some patients are concerned because they experience side effects, most often mild. Some of the most common include headaches, flushing, and o ..read more

As you have undoubtedly seen on our website, one of my strongest passions is helping men regain their continence and erectile function after prostatectomy. I feel strongly about this, not only because there are men who suffer silence for years or even decades but also because the solutions to some of these issues are simple, straightforward, and surprisingly attainable. Ultimately, any given patient who has a prostatectomy may have a slower or faster recovery of these functions versus a peer. But, ultimately, every patient should be able to enjoy normal voiding and erectile function, even if ..read more

Most urologists use the Gleason score to better understand the composition of a prostate tumor. While it is not, by any means, a perfectly accurate staging modality, it does give us a helpful guide for further treatment. To get to the point where a Gleason score is necessary, patients must have prostate cancer. This is usually determined by a PSA trend/velocity test and confirmed through prostate biopsy. At this point, when the biopsy results come back, we look to understand more about the specifics of the tumor. For ease, malignancy is scored on a one to 10 scale; however, the Gleason scale ..read more

Early in September, the FDA approved an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction gel marketed under the brand name Eroxon. This gel is applied to the head of the penis approximately 10 minutes before sexual intercourse and was shown in some studies to allow patients to achieve an erection that lasts the duration of intercourse. This gives patients a fast-acting option versus pills that can take up to 30 minutes to function. While this may seem like an ideal scenario, it’s essential to understand this gel’s mechanism and what it can and can’t do. First, we must understand the mechanism of action ..read more

The four-hour erection, also known as priapism, on the surface, may sound like the pinnacle of masculinity, but in truth, it is an emergency that requires immediate care at a hospital. Priapism has many causes that we will briefly discuss, but for this article, we will focus on medical interventions for erectile dysfunction or ED and whether they increase the risk. The patient should be aware of this risk, but it’s also important to understand why it happens and when we should be on the lookout. Before we get into the various ED interventions and whether they caused priapism, it’s essential t ..read more

When most patients get a PSA reading, they don’t know the history of this test that turned it from one of the less reliable tests in medicine to arguably one of the most useful. We always look to educate our patients on PSA testing as it is a handy tool to understand, even as a patient. Historically, a single PSA reading was used to order a biopsy for prostate cancer. If the PSA is over four, we will biopsy. If we found cancer, it would be treated – often aggressively. We quickly realized that this was not a great way to diagnose and treat prostate cancer patients because most prostate cancer ..read more

When patients start to lose their erectile function, it can be a tough time in their lives. For many, the first thought is toward natural remedies like saw palmetto that they believe may help them avoid prescription drugs. However, once they realize that these options don’t typically work, they come around to prescription drugs. The most common brand names are Viagra and Cialis, and their generic forms are Sildenafil and Tadalafil, respectively, which have similar efficacy concerning regaining sexual function. These drugs are proven effective and are safe for the millions of men who take them ..read more

The recovery after prostatectomy or the removal of the prostate is a dicey subject that thousands of men have to contend with every year. While a prostatectomy is, by any measure, a life-saving procedure, it does come with significant postoperative considerations. Over the years, we have improved techniques and technology that have allowed for the sparing of essential nerves in the area; however, even the best prostatectomy virtually guarantees some urinary incontinence for a time afterward. Many patients are happy to know that urinary incontinence eventually resolves in about 90 to 95% of pa ..read more

P-Shots or Priapus shots, aptly named for the Roman god of sexual health, are a fast-growing trend in the world of sexual health. Seeing the marketing behind them from some urologists and med spas alike, one would think that it was a guaranteed way to improve erectile health. However, is this all hype, or is there something to it? Let’s start by understanding exactly what a p-shot is and whether it has any value in medicine and erectile function. These shots are essentially platelet-rich plasma injections into the penis. Platelet-rich plasma is made by drawing the patient’s blood and spinning ..read more