Episode 9 | Fertility and Other F Words

In this episode of Fertility and Other F Words, Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz are joined by the incredible Dr. Lenaine Westney for an honest, practical conversation about urinary leakage (incontinence) and the treatment options that can truly change patients’ lives.

Dr. Westney is a Professor of Urology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Director of the Fellowship in Urinary Tract & Pelvic Reconstruction. She specializes in caring for patients with urinary symptoms after complex pelvic surgeries and cancer treatments. She’s also a true trailblazer—one of only a few African-American female full professors of urology in the U.S.—and a nationally recognized voice in both surgical innovation and diversity in academic medicine.

In this episode, we cover:

• Common causes of urinary leakage in men and women
• How cancer treatments and pelvic surgeries can affect bladder control
• Surgical and non-surgical treatment options for incontinence

Key takeaways:

• There are multiple effective solutions for bothersome urinary symptoms, including leakage.
• For men with stress urinary incontinence—most commonly after prostate cancer surgery and sometimes radiation—options include a male sling or an artificial urinary sphincter.
• Managing expectations is critical: these procedures may not make every patient completely dry, but they often lead to major reductions in pad or diaper use.
• For the right patients, treatment can be life-changing—restoring confidence, independence, and the ability to enjoy daily activities again.

To learn more about incontinence treatment options, visit:
👉 https://www.fixincontinence.com/us/en/home.html

To find a pelvic physical therapist near you, check out this provider locator:

https://pelvicrehab.com/

Notice:

The Fertility and Other F Words webcast and YouTube channel are intended for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute the practice of medicine nor do they provide medical advice or create a doctor–patient relationship. Use of the information provided through this webcast, YouTube channel, or any linked materials is at the listener’s/viewer’s own risk. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners/viewers should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any health condition and are strongly encouraged to consult their own qualified health care professional with any questions or concerns.

All content from the Fertility and Other F Words webcast is the property of PODCAST WITH DRS. AMY AND LARRY LLC.

Listeners and viewers may not use, distribute, re-distribute, reproduce, alter, or edit any portion of this content without the express written permission of the webcast owners.

The views and opinions expressed in this webcast are those of Drs. Amy Pearlman and Larry Lipshultz and do not reflect the official positions or responsibilities of Prime Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, or any affiliated institutions.

In this exciting episode of Fertility and Other F Words, Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz are joined by two leaders in male reproductive medicine: Dr. Blair T. Stocks and Dr. Taylor Kohn.

Dr. Stocks and Kohn are Assistant Professors of Urology in the Division of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Both specialize in the evaluation and treatment of men presenting with infertility.

Together, we walk through what a thorough male fertility evaluation actually looks like—from history and physical exam to lab work and imaging—and discuss cutting-edge research and innovative techniques being used to better understand why some men present with infertility and how sperm may still be found in men who’ve been told they have none.

This episode dives deep into:

• How male fertility is evaluated in real clinical practice
• Why lab work and semen analysis interpretation require true infertility expertise
• What azoospermia really means—and why it doesn’t always mean “no options”
• Emerging technologies helping specialists find sperm with greater precision

Key Takeaways

• Semen analysis is an important metric of a man’s health
• At-home semen analysis testing can be used as a screening tool
• In-office semen analysis and hormonal blood work are core parts of the evaluation and blood work may include:
  • Total testosterone
  • Free testosterone
  • FSH
  • LH
  • Inhibin B
  • Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
  • 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH progesterone)
  • Prolactin
  • Estradiol
• Interpretation of semen analysis and lab results should be done by an expert in male infertility
• Men told they have azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate) may still have additional options
• There are currently no FDA-approved medications for male infertility
• A healthy lifestyle—nutrition, movement, and overall wellness—matters for sperm health

Innovative Research Highlighted

• Dr. Taylor Kohn is using high-frequency ultrasound to identify areas of the testicle more likely to contain sperm by visualizing dilated seminiferous tubules—helping guide sperm extraction procedures with greater precision and potentially less invasiveness.
• Dr. Blair Stocks is using flow cytometry to determine whether men told they have “no sperm” truly have none, allowing rapid identification of rare sperm cells that may otherwise be missed.

If you care about male fertility, reproductive health, or understanding what options truly exist—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Notice:

The Fertility and Other F Words webcast and YouTube channel are intended for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute the practice of medicine nor do they provide medical advice or create a doctor–patient relationship. Use of the information provided through this webcast, YouTube channel, or any linked materials is at the listener’s/viewer’s own risk. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners/viewers should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any health condition and are strongly encouraged to consult their own qualified health care professional with any questions or concerns.

All content from the Fertility and Other F Words webcast is the property of PODCAST WITH DRS. AMY AND LARRY LLC.

Listeners and viewers may not use, distribute, re-distribute, reproduce, alter, or edit any portion of this content without the express written permission of the webcast owners.

The views and opinions expressed in this webcast are those of Drs. Amy Pearlman and Larry Lipshultz and do not reflect the official positions or responsibilities of Prime Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, or any affiliated institutions.

In this powerful and candid episode, Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz are joined by John, one of Dr. Lipshultz’s patients, for an unfiltered conversation about life before and after inflatable penile implant surgery.

John walks listeners through his journey with erectile dysfunction, from medical therapies to the emotional toll ED took on his confidence and relationships. He shares what ultimately led him to choose penile implant surgery, what recovery and adaptation were really like, and how dating (and talking with potential partners) has evolved since his implant. The discussion is honest, vulnerable, and deeply human, offering insight rarely heard outside the exam room.

This episode sheds light on what it truly means to live and thrive with a penile implant, emphasizing autonomy, communication, and sexual confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Erectile dysfunction can be treated through a wide range of options, including lifestyle optimization (nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress reduction), oral medications, vacuum erection devices, erection rings, penile injections, and penile implant surgery.
• Penile implant surgery is associated with high patient and partner satisfaction rates.
• Open, transparent communication with partners can be empowering and often leads to positive, curious, and fulfilling sexual experiences, especially when partners understand the benefits of an implant.

Curious to learn more about penile implants? Visit EDCure at https://www.edcure.com

Notice:

The Fertility and Other F Words webcast and YouTube channel are intended for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute the practice of medicine nor do they provide medical advice or create a doctor–patient relationship. Use of the information provided through this webcast, YouTube channel, or any linked materials is at the listener’s/viewer’s own risk. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners/viewers should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any health condition and are strongly encouraged to consult their own qualified health care professional with any questions or concerns.

All content from the Fertility and Other F Words webcast is the property of PODCAST WITH DRS. AMY AND LARRY LLC.

Listeners and viewers may not use, distribute, re-distribute, reproduce, alter, or edit any portion of this content without the express written permission of the webcast owners.

The views and opinions expressed in this webcast are those of Drs. Amy Pearlman and Larry Lipshultz and do not reflect the official positions or responsibilities of Prime Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, or any affiliated institutions.