Category: News

Press Release: Potomac Urology Center Is the First in Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC to Offer the Optilume BPH Catheter System

DMV-area patients now have access to this next-generation BPH treatment providing clinically-proven, immediate and lasting results

Alexandria, Virginia – 5/2/2024 – Potomac Urology Center announced today that it is the first Urology practice in the state to offer patients the Optilume® BPH Catheter System for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Typically administered as an outpatient procedure, Optilume BPH is a new, safe and effective minimally-invasive procedure that provides patients with immediate improvement in urinary symptoms and quality of life.

As men age, it’s common to encounter prostate enlargement, leading to a condition known as BPH. In fact, BPH affects 70% of men 60-69 years of age and 80% of those 70 years of age or older. The prostate surrounds the tube responsible for transporting urine and semen, known as the urethra. With BPH, as the prostate grows larger, it exerts pressure on the urethra, potentially causing interruptions in the natural flow of urine.

“Optilume for BPH offers a novel minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of BPH. With results seen as early as two weeks, patients can expect a significant lasting improvement in their urinary flow,” notes Dr. Aseem Malhotra who recently completed the first procedure at Potomac Urology’s outpatient surgical center.

The FDA-approved Optilume BPH Catheter System revolutionizes the treatment paradigm by providing immediate and durable symptom relief for men experiencing BPH induced lower urinary tract symptoms, including frequent trips to the bathroom, day and night; weak, slow or intermittent flow; urgent need to pee; and inability to fully empty bladder.

Optilume BPH is a drug-coated balloon that is inserted into the urethra via a telescopic camera, to the prostate. Once in the prostate, the balloon expands creating an opening, and releases the safe and proven drug paclitaxel, into the open prostate. When the drug coating is fully released, the balloon is deflated and removed. The drug prevents re-fusion of the lobes during healing, keeping the prostate open, restoring the flow of urine and relieving bothersome BPH symptoms.

Highlights of the Optilume BPH Catheter System include:

  • Clinical studies show Optilume BPH is safe and effective
  • Immediate and durable symptom relief
  • Minimal catheter time post-procedure
  • No impact on sexual function
  • Quick recovery
  • Highest clinically reported flow rates of any minimal invasive therapy
  • In-office/outpatient procedure
  • No cutting, heating, burning, lasering, steaming, or implantation

Patients interested in a consultation should call 703-680-2111 to schedule an appointment. Alternatively, patients can schedule a visit via the practice’s online Book Appointment feature to schedule an appointment.

For more information about Optilume BPH at Potomac Urology, visit our webpage. For more information about Optilume BPH, visit www.optilume.com/bph.

Prince Williams Urology Associates Joins Potomac Urology

We are excited to announce that Prince Williams Urology Associates is now a part of Potomac Urology. Prince Williams Urology Associates is a highly respected urology practice with a long-standing reputation for providing exceptional care to patients in the Manassas community.

As a result of this acquisition, we will be able to expand our range of services and provide even more comprehensive care to our patients. We are committed to maintaining the same high standards of care that Prince Williams Urology Associates is known for and will continue to work closely with the team to ensure a smooth transition for patients.

Our company is dedicated to delivering quality urologic services to communities across the DC area. With the addition of Prince Williams Urology Associates, we will be able to further our mission and provide patients with the best possible care.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the team at Prince Williams Urology Associates and look forward to working together to improve the health and well-being of our patients.

Potomac Urology Providers Earn 2021 Top Doctor Award from Washingtonian Magazine

Potomac Urology’s board-certified urologists, Dr. Alok Desai, Dr. Pratik Desai, Dr. John Klein, and Dr. Jeffrey Wong have been awarded Washington, DC’s Very Best Doctors: 2021 Top Doctor Award from Washingtonian magazine.

Each spring, Washingtonian magazine asks nearly 13,000 doctors in DC, Maryland, and Virginia which colleague they would recommend in a variety of specialties. To ensure the data’s accuracy, each physician is sent an online survey and obliged to log in with a current medical-license number registered in either the District, Maryland, or Virginia. Doctors can submit just one ballot each and can not vote for themselves. The top vote-getters in each of the 39 categories were designated Top Doctors.

 Office Procedures for COVID-19

NOTE: As we are experiencing high volume, please use our patient portal for any appointment changes or cancelations, as well as TeleVisit requests. You can visit our page with instructions by clicking here. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking the following precautions to protect our patients and staff:  Effective May 11th, 2020 Potomac Urology Center will be seeing both urgent and a limited number of routine patient visits while maintaining social distancing principles to ensure safety of both staff and patients during the COVID crisis.

If you are or anyone in your home is experiencing signs or symptoms of a respiratory illness, or is running a fever, we ask that you reschedule your appointment, as we will not be able to see you in the office. Please note, if you are unable to be seen in the office, we will be able to offer a televisit instead.

  1. We are requesting that patients attend their appointments alone.  Due to social distancing recommendations, and limited space in the office, additional visitors with the patient will be allowed only in extenuating circumstances. Family members or other visitors can be looped in via teleconference or conference call during the appointment as necessary.
  2. To limit patients in the waiting room and maintain social distancing, you may be asked to wait in your car after check-in, and receive a call or a text to return to the office when a patient room is available.
  3. Mask wearing/nose and mouth covering is required while in the office, to protect yourself and others.
  4. All patients and visitors will be subject to screening upon arrival and will be asked to reschedule if you are exhibiting respiratory symptoms or a fever upon arrival.  Please feel free to reschedule any non-urgent appointment, or convert to a televisit.

Please feel free to contact our office using the following options:

  1. Log-in to Patient Portal (PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON USING THE PORTAL)
  2. By Phone: 703-680-2111

If you have an upcoming surgery, please stay in close contact with our surgery schedulers. Based on guidance by governor Northam, area hospitals are reopening for elective surgeries, with special procedures in place to maintain safety. A COVID test may be necessary prior to surgery, and the schedulers will be able to help you get this testing completed 72 hours prior to surgery. A surgery scheduler will guide you to make a new plan if your surgery is cancelled for any reason.

In order to assist our community with the burden to all healthcare facilities during this time, we ask that you contact our office FIRST for any URGENT urologic conditions prior to going to an Emergency Room or urgent care facilities. We may be able to offer an alternative to an acute care facility visit.

Our team at Potomac Urology Center appreciates the trust you place in us to care for your urologic needs.  During this unprecedented time, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate through the coming weeks.  We can assure you that we will do our best to continue to deliver the best care possible for all our patients. We encourage you to stay informed, practice social distancing, and assist our communities in getting through this time as safely as possible.

Female Sexual Dysfunction FAQ

Why don’t I feel like having sex anymore?

You may have the most common type of female sexual dysfunction which is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)

  1. What is it? It is an ongoing decrease or lack of spontaneous sexual desire and/or loss of desire to initiate sex that a woman may find frustrating. There is an imbalance of chemical messenger activity in the brain that results in low sexual desire
  2. Symptoms can include? Having a negative body image, find that you are avoiding intimacy, and having low self -esteem
  3. Who does it affect? Any woman
  4. How can we help you with this? Medications, treat low testosterone if appropriate

Why do I have pain with sex?

You may have Female Genital Arousal Disorder (FGAD)

  1. What is it? Trouble with being able to have an adequate genital response for sex
  2. Symptoms can include? Physical vaginal concerns or pain, Vaginal dryness and lack of lubrication for sex, find yourself avoiding intimacy, and having low self-esteem
  3. Who does it affect? Any woman
  4. How can we help you with this? Medications, Lubrication, increase blood flow with devices, treat low testosterone if appropriate

Why can’t I have an orgasm?

You may have Female Cognitive Arousal Disorder (FCAD)

  1. What is it? Trouble with being able to feel mental excitement about sex
  2. Symptoms can include? Cannot feel aroused mentally, negative body image, find you are avoiding intimacy, and having low self-esteem
  3. Who does it affect? Any woman
  4. How can we help you with this? Medications, lubrication, treat low testosterone if appropriate

Potomac Urology is one of the only practices in Northern Virginia with providers who have clinical interest and specialized training in helping women with sexual dysfunction. Katie Cage, NP is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who is also one of the few Certified Urology Nurse Practitioners in Northern Virginia, and she can help you with any of these concerns. Katie has over 10 years of experience in female urology and she works closely with our Urogynecologist, Dr. Alok Desai.

If you feel any of these describes how you are feeling, then please take this questionnaire below. Please click on the “make appointment” tab and make an appointment with Katie Cage, NP so that she can work with you to develop a personalized plan to help address your sexual issues. Potomac Urology is excited to be able to offer this type of care to members of our community.


The Decreased Sexual Desire Screener (DSDS) is a simple, validated diagnostic tool to help you identify and discuss HSDD

Please choose YES or NO

  1. In the past, was your level of sexual desire or interest good and satisfying to you? YES NO
  2. Has there been a decrease in thy or level of sexual desire or interest? YES NO
  3. Are you bothered by the decreased level of sexual desire or interest? YES NO
  4. Would you like your level of sexual desire or interest to increase? YES NO

CHOOSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS THAT MAY APPLY:

5. What factors do you feel may be contributing to your current decrease in sexual desire or interest?

  1. an operation, depression, injuries, or other medical conditions
  2. medications, drugs, or alcohol you are currently taking
  3. pregnancy, recent childbirth, menopausal symptoms
  4. other sexual issues you may be having (pain, decreased arousal or orgasm)
  5. your partner’s sexual problems
  6. dissatisfaction with your relationship or partner
  7. stress or fatigue

Why do I keep getting urinary tract infections (UTI’s)?

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A urinary tract infection refers to a condition where there is overgrowth of bacteria in the urinary system. This is a general term that can include any portion of the urinary system including the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, and the urethra.

What is the difference between a bladder infection and a kidney infection?

A bladder infection is the most common type of urinary tract infection, and is also known as bacterial cystitis. Symptoms of a bladder infection are typically irritative and localized. Symptoms can include painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, urgency and frequency of urination. We note that your body is able to eliminate some bladder infections on its own without antibiotic use.

A kidney infection is also known as pyelonephritis. Symptoms of a kidney infection tend to be systemic. These can include fevers, chills, back pain in addition to the symptoms of a bladder infection such as painful urination urgency and frequency. Kidney infections are more serious than a bladder infection and require prompt treatment with antibiotic therapy to prevent progression to a more serious infection known as urosepsis.

Where do the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections come from?

The majority of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections come from the bowel system. The distance between the vagina and anus is quite close in women and colonization of the opening of the vagina occurs quite easily. This has nothing to do with hygiene, the majority of our patients who have recurrent urinary tract infections do practice good hygiene. Since it is impossible to sterilize the skin, even with hygienic behaviors, colonization of the opening of the vagina can occur. The distance between the urethra and the opening of the vagina is quite short, and it is quite easy for bacteria to be pushed from the vaginal opening into the urethra either with intercourse or with daily activities.

Less commonly, bacterial infections can be related to concurrent conditions such as very large kidney stones, abnormal connections between the bowel and the bladder, abnormalities of the anatomy of the urinary tract, or incomplete bladder emptying.

How do antibiotics treatment urinary tract infections?

Antibiotics typically are processed either through the liver or the kidneys, excreted into the blood which then achieves therapeutic levels in the urine. There are numerous antibiotics, and each has a different mechanism of action that results in either stopping growth of bacteria or destroying the bacteria.

When we obtain urine tests for infection, we commonly will obtain a test called a urine culture, which shows us which bacteriuria is causing the infection and also gives us a list of antibiotics that the bacteria is sensitive to.

What are the risks of using antibiotics too frequently?

There are many healthy bacteria that exist in every organ system in our body. Antibiotics act fairly indiscriminately, and result in destruction of both healthy and unhealthy or pathogenic bacterial colonies. As a result of this, antibiotic use can result in disruption of bowel function, overgrowth of yeast, and overgrowth of bacteria on the skin. The worst complication can be overgrowth of a bacteria in the gut known as C. Dificile. This bacteria results in severe inflammation of the lining of the intestine, loss of the intestines ability to absorb fluid and nutrients, severe diarrhea and can be life-threatening.