Latest news with #CentralFlorida
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
What a urologist wants men to know about vasectomies
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt is a urologist and robotic surgeon with Orlando Health and an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine. As a urologist, I've performed countless vasectomies. They are my profession's bread and butter. When I'm not doing the procedure, I'm seeing men either alone or with their partners to discuss its safety, simplicity and effectiveness. Like many men, I've found myself contemplating whether it's time to get one, too. Maybe it's the recent US Supreme Court decisions on reproduction prompting more men to actively consider their role in birth control. Or perhaps it's part of a larger cultural shift toward shared family-planning responsibility. Then again, as a urologist who sees a growing number of men seeking vasectomy consultations, I'm more attuned to how common this conversation has become. An estimated 500,000 men in the US choose vasectomies as a form of contraception every year. And if you are like me and considering a vasectomy — or if you're just curious about this procedure as a form of birth control — here are the top things you should know. A vasectomy is typically a minor office-based procedure that requires minimal preparation. You can eat the day of the procedure, wear your T-shirt and shorts, and try to be relaxed. (If you choose to have the vasectomy done in an operating room, more preparation may be needed.) Once you're in the doctor's office, it takes 10 to 20 minutes to perform. After numbing the scrotal skin with a local anesthetic, the urologist makes a small opening in the skin, often so small that no stitches or scalpels are needed. From there, the doctor will find the vas deferens — the tube that carries sperm (made in the testicle) from a tightly coiled duct called the epididymis to the urethra prior to ejaculation. The vas deferens feels a bit like a piece of cooked spaghetti. The tube is brought out through the small opening, cut, sealed or blocked, preventing sperm from mixing with semen. The procedure is done on both sides, on both vas deferens, in a similar fashion. The cut ends are placed back into the scrotum, and the openings may be sealed with skin glue. Then you can go home and rest. Expect some soreness in the scrotum and surrounding areas. I advise patients to rest for one or two days, wear supportive underwear, and apply an ice pack to the scrotum for about 20 minutes every hour. For pain or discomfort, I suggest taking over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen if needed. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for about one to two weeks, or however long your doctor recommends. Post-vasectomy complications are rare but possible and include minor bruising, swelling and temporary discomfort around the area where the procedure was done. Though uncommon, infections can occur and are typically resolved quickly with antibiotics if caught early. Around 1% to 2% of men can experience chronic post-vasectomy pain, which usually improves over time but in rare cases may persist and require further treatment. An important point to remember is that you won't be sterile immediately. It typically takes several weeks — and around 30 ejaculations — to clear out your remaining sperm. Your urologist will confirm your sterility with a semen analysis, which can be done at a lab or using new at-home testing kits. Until you're officially cleared, though, continue to use another form of contraception — it takes only one sperm to achieve pregnancy, so making sure you are sterile is vital. I've heard all the myths about vasectomies, so I want to share the answers to some of the most common questions men ask me during our consultations. Many men worry that after a vasectomy they will have lower testosterone levels, sex drive or sexual function. Not true. In fact, many couples report increased sexual activity and satisfaction after a vasectomy since they no longer have to worry about pregnancy. You will still have an ejaculate — almost the same volume and sensation — but now you'll be 'shooting blanks,' since your semen no longer contains sperm. Despite what you've heard, March Madness isn't the only good time for a vasectomy. Many men choose to recover while binge-watching football or even their favorite show. The truth is, you can safely book the procedure whenever it fits your schedule. Some men assume vasectomies are expensive or not covered by insurance, but most insurance plans fully or partially cover the procedure. Even if you're paying out-of-pocket, the cost is often less than $1,000, though prices can range from $500 to $3,000 depending on your location and whether you opt for anesthesia. It's worth shopping around, but always choose a qualified urologist who is board-certified and experienced in performing vasectomies — your safety is never worth compromising just to save a few dollars. But let's face it: Compared with the monthly cost of diapers alone (about $100 per month until your child is potty-trained), a vasectomy is a financial win. Though it's less common, I'm seeing more men without children choosing to get a vasectomy. Why? Often it's a firm lifestyle decision, because of concerns over passing certain genetic conditions, or simply being absolutely sure that fatherhood is not in their future. During our consultation, we openly discuss the motivations for making this decision, and I review the pros and cons. One big con is the permanent nature of the procedure. Yes, vasectomy reversals exist — and I do them myself for patients — but I don't advise undergoing a vasectomy assuming it's temporary. Reversal procedures are expensive and not always successful. If you're not sure whether you want children, pause and seriously reconsider the decision. Ultimately, it remains your personal choice. Men who need birth control can use condoms or avoid sex altogether. There is also research on male birth-control pills, injections and 'switches,' which could be a long time away from being offered to men. For women, there are birth-control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injections, patches, vaginal rings and tubal ligation. Each of these methods has its own pros, cons and effectiveness rates, so a detailed discussion with your health care provider and partner can help you make the best choice. Deciding on a vasectomy isn't easy. I should know, because I'm right there with you. My advice is don't rush it. Talk with your partner, ask your doctor all the questions you have during your consultation and think through what this means for your future. Whatever decision you make, though, make sure it feels right for you. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Isolated showers expected in Central Florida on Sunday
A few isolated showers are expected in Central Florida on Sunday, Spectrum News 13 meteorologist Greg Bennett said. The majority of the day is expected to be dry, Bennett said. The high today will be 89 degrees and the low will be 72 degrees.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sprinkles possible for Central Florida, with rain chances increasing during the week
Rain from yesterday has mostly stopped. A few sprinkles are possible this morning south of Orange County, but most of us will stay dry today. Afternoon highs will hover in the upper 80s. We won't be dealing with as much humidity today. Overnight lows will drop to the lower 70s. Meanwhile, chances of steady rain will start appearing in central Florida tomorrow and Tuesday. The highest probability of rain will be from Wednesday to next weekend. And today is the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season. But no tropical development is expected for at least the following week. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane season 2025: Central Florida prepares for flooding
When Hurricane Irma barreled through Central Florida in 2017, floodwaters rose several feet in the streets of the working-class neighborhood of Orlo Vista and up to the window sills in Levi Williams' home. 'We could see fish and tadpoles swimming in the water,' she said Thursday. It was weeks before she could finally return to the home where she had lived since 1975. It was the first time her house flooded. Williams was chased out of her home again by flooding in September 2022 when Hurricane Ian swamped Central Florida, dumping nearly 15 inches in some spots. She remembered sheets of water flowing along the streets of Orlo Vista, destroying nearly everything in its path, before spreading into homes. Some residents had to be rescued out of their houses by the National Guard with high-water vehicles. Williams will often tell her stories of those two storms to warn Central Florida residents — even those who have lived in the region for decades — that a hurricane's rains are just as dangerous as its winds. 'We have no control over the weather. That's God's doing,' she said. 'But we can be prepared.' That's the message that national weather forecasters, emergency management directors and public officials also are spreading as this year's Atlantic hurricane season starts today and continues through Nov. 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts another 'above average' hurricane season with between 13 and 19 named storms. Central Florida residents, they warn, should be ready for heavy rains that can destroy homes within hours, even if their area is not in the direct path of a large storm. 'We're not on the coast, so people say: 'Oh gosh, we don't have to worry about hurricanes so much,'' said U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, former governor of Florida, on Thursday during a press briefing in Sanford regarding hurricane preparedness. 'But if you really look at these hurricanes, what's happened is: They've really become big water events,' Scott said, as he gathered with public safety officials. 'We've had unbelievable flooding where people thought we've never had flooding before.' Scott and other emergency officials at the event urged homeowners purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, even if their properties are not in a designated flood zone. Marie Lackey, a program manager for Seminole County's public works department, said Central Florida has experienced what scientists and weather experts refer to as a '100-year flood event' four times since 2017. A 100-year flood event means it's so rare that it has only a 1% chance of occurring within a specific year. 'Our systems are not designed for that amount of rainfall,' she said. 'And that is a concern, not just in our county, but in our surrounding counties.' Jean Brower and her husband, James, learned that first hand. They were forced to live in a hotel for more than two weeks after Hurricane Ian dumped 19 inches of rain in some spots of Osceola County and flooded the couple's mobile home park, Good Samaritan Society's Kissimmee Village. More than a dozen units were later demolished. County crews have since dredged nearby canals with hopes of preventing a similar disaster. 'We're a little more nervous this year,' said Brower, who blames the stress from the hurricane for a stroke she suffered that left her wheelchair-bound in January 2023. 'We know that they're predicting another busy hurricane season,' she said. 'But it's coming up too soon. We'll keep our fingers crossed.' In Osceola, officials plan to soon implement FloodWise, a software technology that can predict where flooding will occur at the street level up to three days in advance of an approaching storm. 'It will alert us where to put pumps and sandbags,' said Linette Matheny, Osceola's executive director of environment and public lands. 'We can tell people in an apartment complex to move their cars or property out of the way.' Trying to estimate how much rain will fall in a particular area during an approaching storm can drive weather forecasters and emergency management officials to frustration. Devastating floods can occur far from a hurricane's eye. A storm's outer bands of rain can cause local deluges, so residents should be prepared even in areas that are outside a storm's forecasted track. When Hurricane Milton cut a path across south Osceola last October, Kissimmee received slightly under 4 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. But Sanford, more than 35 miles north from the eye, saw more than 11 inches of rain. Olivier Welscher — who runs Meriwether Farms next to the historic Midway community near Sanford — said he's uneasy about this year's hurricane season after his property off Celery Avenue flooded during Ian in September 2022. 'Ian was just a crazy storm,' Welscher said. 'We have never been flooded that bad. … And that was followed by [Tropical Storm] Nicole' in November 2022. Midway residents have long struggled with flooded roads and inundated yards after strong storms because of an aging stormwater infrastructure. Many Midway homes were built more than half a century ago. The flooding has become worse in recent years, residents say, because of stronger storms and hundreds of new homes built around their community in Sanford. The city's stormwater drains and ditches are often clogged with tree limbs and other vegetative debris, according to residents. 'It has been woefully neglected,' said Emory Green Jr., a longtime Midway resident, said. 'This is a priority that needs to be addressed. … And it makes me 100% nervous.' In Altamonte Springs, residents in the Spring Oaks neighborhood, tucked along a crook of the Little Wekiva River, have had to use canoes and kayaks to leave their homes after hurricanes Irma, Ian and Milton flooded their roads. More than 60 residents were evacuated after Irma. Spring Oaks resident Alan Wyland has already started stockpiling sandbags and other items in preparation for this year's hurricane season. 'We've learned to be ready,' he said this week. In south Orange County, Jimmy Tadlock remembered a wave of stormwater flowing into his home during Ian in the Bonnie Brook neighborhood. 'It ruined everything — furniture, appliances, even the vehicle,' he said. 'The lift stations just couldn't handle it.' Those memories make Tadlock nervous about this year's hurricane season, too. 'It's just been getting worse every year,' he said. 'The weather is bad everywhere, not just here. You're seeing heavy rains, winds, tornadoes; everywhere around the country.' In Orlo Vista, Williams hopes Orange County's recent improvements to the stormwater drainage systems will help spare her neighborhood from flooding this year. In November 2022, two months after Ian, Orange County hired a North Carolina company to a $21.5-million contract to deepen three storm-water ponds and install a new pump station and stormwater conduits. 'The ponds have been dug deeper, and they can now hold a lot more water than in the past,' said Jeff Charles, operations supervisor with Orange's stormwater management division. Charles pointed out no Orlo Vista properties were flooded during last October's Hurricane Milton, even after receiving nearly six inches of rain. 'But they should've taken more active measures earlier,' Williams said, remembering her flood-damaged home from hurricanes Irma and Ian.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida housing inventory hits record high as Central Florida ZIP codes see surge in new listings
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Florida now has a record amount of housing inventory — and these Central Florida ZIP codes have seen the largest year-over-year increases in new home sale listings. An analysis from The Business Journals using data from Intercontinental Exchange shows which local neighborhoods have seen the most dramatic jumps in new listings, and which have the most total new listings as of Q1 2025. The top five ZIP codes for percentage growth in new home listings span from Orlando to the coast: Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
