“Movember” in November to Raise Awareness of Men’s Health Issues
Interview with Dr. Ivan Grunberger, MD
“Movember,” a global charity that began in Australia in 2003, started as a movement encouraging men to grow mustaches to raise awareness about critical men’s health issues. Since its inception, Movember has expanded worldwide, funding over 1,200 health initiatives to support the cause.
Dr. Ivan Grunberger, a leading urologist at Lenox Health Greenwich Village (LHGV), urges men to prioritize their urological health despite the stigma and embarrassment often associated with it. He emphasizes that proactive attention to urological health not only enhances quality of life but can also be lifesaving by catching serious conditions early.
What is the most common complaint that you see?
Most often, I have men who complain that they are having difficulty urinating, whether that be a weak flow, pain, sudden urgency or the inability to completely empty the bladder.
What is the cause of this?
Several urological conditions can lead to urinary issues, with the most common being benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. BPH can compress the urethra, causing difficulty with urination. Other conditions causing urinary symptoms include urethral strictures, bladder cancer and primary bladder dysfunction.
How do you assess if there is a blockage?
At LHGV, the first course of action is to evaluate a patient’s medical history, perform a physical exam and a procedure called Uroflow. This requires the patient to urinate into a funnel that contains a device that notes the flow strength and pattern. An ultrasound is conducted afterward to assess the amount of urine that remains in the bladder. Together, this information helps us evaluate the degree of the blockage.
How do you know if the prostate is causing the issue?
To determine if a patient has an enlarged prostate or a potential tumor, we perform a transrectal ultrasound. This procedure involves inserting a small probe into the rectum, which uses sound waves to create an image of the prostate. By examining this image, we can assess the size and shape of the prostate and identify any abnormalities, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or a tumor.
You said there could be obstructions of the urinary tract itself. How do you identify that as a cause?
To diagnose an obstruction of the urinary tract, we perform a procedure called cystoscopy. This is a procedure where a small probe with a camera on the end is threaded through the urethra and into the bladder. The images help us note anything of concern along the path. Once inside the bladder, we are able to examine it for signs of chronic straining, presence of bladder stones or tumors. This is performed with local anesthetic and lasts on average less than two minutes.
At LHGV, are you able to detect kidney stones as well?
Yes, we have a robust imaging department on premises where we can use ultrasound or CT technology for high quality imaging of the kidneys and bladder to detect stones.
Do you see patients for sexual health?
I see many patients who experience erectile dysfunction (ED). We examine a patient’s medical history coupled with a physical exam to determine possible causes. Typically, ED responds well to medication but for patients who find it ineffective or those who experience side effects, there are other options including injections that can be done at home. The injections relax the muscle of the blood vessels in the penis allowing for seamless blood flow, causing an erection.
Dr. Ivan Grunberger is a urologist at Lenox Health Greenwich Village
