Dr. David Vandersteen
Pediatric Urology
Minneapolis, MN
33 years experience
Locations
Office
Minneapolis, MN
About
Bio
My practice is limited to pediatric urologic surgery. I specialize in genitourinary reconstructive surgery. I have extensive experience in neurogenic bladder, cloacal and classical bladder exstrophy reconstruction. Surgical and non-surgical management of vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, ureteral obstruction are mainstays of my practice.
My partners and I are certified DaVinci Robotic surgeons. We are the first group to be published extensively in the use of neuromodulation (Interstim) for the treatment of pediatric dysfunctional elimination. We also utilize other forms of neuromodulation when appropriate (Botox, posterior tibial nerve stimulation).
I have extensive experience in hypospadias, vesicoureteral reimplantation, Deflux injection, treatment of cryptorchism (undescended testes), incontinence, and disorders of sexual development.
I have traveled around the world teaching and operating in Viet Nam, Liberia Africa, and Mongolia.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Pediatric Urology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
226 Answers
100 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Yes: If you have testicular asymmetry, then either one testis is larger than normal or one is smaller than normal. Size discrepancies can be normal howeve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: Your question is unclear. It sounds like you are concerned that you have hypogonadism. This requires a medical evaluation to obtain a diagnosis and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No: Observation is prudent if there are no symptoms however.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No: But it can cause pain and discomfort with erections.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Need information: Cannot answer the question without knowing why your child is on intermittent catheterization and whether or not they are incontinent between caths. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Not likely: Patients with unilateral cryptorchidism have slightly higher than average infertility rates (even men with "normal" testes can have fertility problems... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Homologues: The homologue (or parallel structures) are as follows:
penis: clitoris
foreskin: clitoral hood
uterus: prostatic utricle.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Unclear: I do not understand this question. If you have small testes and had mumps orchitis in the past, your risk of infertility/subfertility is increased. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Testicular failure: Although it is difficult to interpret you question due to typos and abbreviations, it appears you have primary testicular failure. A high fsh and lh ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See your urologist : Feeling a snap in the penis during sexual activity strongly suggests that you have had a fracture of the erectile tissue. It is possible that some of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See your primary MD: Penile pain has many causes. Burning suggests inflammation which can be caused by soap in the urethra, urinary tract infection and even some types of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Do not know: Hydroceles at birth are exceedingly common. Most are non-communicating, asymptomatic, and resolve spontaneously. I am unaware of any association.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Yes: Even men with normal testes can have infertility. Patients with a history of undescended testes are at increased risk. However, it is imperative to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: The risks are minimal: bleeding, infection, damage to the vas, and atrophy of the testis. Re-ascent is rare. If done laparoscopically, damage to th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Many potential cause: Burning with urination can be caused by many things but generally is due to inflammation. Such inflammation can occur due to bacterial, viral, or yea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No such thing: Kidney stones are never normal. Thus, there is no normal stone size. Your stones are large and place you at significant risk particularly if you hav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: The most common side effects reported with use of AndroGel are increased prostate specific antigen (a test used to screen for prostate cancer), mood s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
What is your ???: This was a statement, not a question. I think this is what you are looking for:
if you have pain in the scrotum after a bowel movement, you could ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 54-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Don't take it: Find an alternative to narcotic medications for the treatment of your back pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Don't know: Get a urinalysis and medical evaluation if you are concerned.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Depends: There are many types of genital ambiguity. However, if a person has a uterus and ovarian tissue, then periods can occur even if they seem to have a p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See your MD: Anejaculation or severely delayed ejaculation can be caused by many things, most of which are non-medical. However, if this is a persistent problem a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Dont know: I assume you mean on your scrotum. A "white thing" could be anything from lint to an inflammed hair follicle to an inclusion cyst. A serious problem... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Insist on a proctor: Your doctor should never examine your minor child without you present or without a proctor in the room to monitor the exam. For her protection, insis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Bed wetting alarm: Roughly 15% of normal kids her age wet the bed. The safest most effective means of treating this is an enuresis alarm with no side effects, no copays... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: Betamethasone cream is very effective for treatment of phimosis in children and adults. It is safe, easy to apply and cost effective. In most publis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Postentially: Pts with poorly controlled sickle cell may lose the ability to concentrate their urine, resulting in large volume urine production even if they are no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No: Most medications after hydrocele repair are as needed. As such you don't have to take them. Some providers may want you to take an antibiotic depend... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No: I am unaware of any herbal remedies.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Not really: However, new onset night time incontinence in a previously healthy individual requires an evaluation by your md.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: Phimosis in general means that the foreskin cannot retract to expose the head of the penis. It may or may not be symptomatic. If symptoms are presen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 38-year-old member asked:
Is there a way to find out why did i start having uterine cramps again now that my son is a toddler?
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Likely unrelated: Your cramps are unrelated to the age of her son. However, the age of your son is reflective of your age. Your uterus and reproductive health are co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Depends: Viral illnesses often causes inflammation in mucous membranes. When inflamed, this can affect the drainage of our sinuses. In those cases, a bacteri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No: Although you have to be pretty motivated to do so. Most pts with orchitis are too tender to masturbate!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Likely okay: If you are able to have satisfactory erections in certain situations and not in others, you are unlikely to have any true erectile dysfunction (in oth... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Probably: In general, hydronephrosis is caused by either partial obstruction of the ureter or bladder, by reflux up the ureter from the bladder, or by large uri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: I assume you mean your scrotum since your testes are internal and cannot be seen. Inflammed hair follicles in the scrotum are common. If they are bo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Many reasons: There are a myriad of reasons you might have missed your period. Pregnancy is one of them. Condoms are not 100% effective. If you are concerned get... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Yes: Penile bleeding can occur after any type of trauma (sexual or otherwise). A condom can protect you from infections causes but not traumatic ones. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Dont understand: I don't understand your question. If you are having purulent drainage from your penis and have similar lesions elsewhere on your body, you need medic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Depends on your ?: Ultrasound for diagnosis of a pregnancy is essentially 100% accurate. It won't tell you who the father is though!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Doubtful: Testis cancer typically is not associated with testis pain. Nevertheless, you need an urgent evaluation of the testis and scrotum to evaluate you for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 58-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See below: Short term risk is post-operative pain, swelling, hematoma formation or recurrent hydrocele. Infection is rare unless a hematoma develops. Damage to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See a urologist: In general, hydrocele aspiration is not performed because it doesn't correct the underlying cause and recurrence is very high. Since it risks infecti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Be gentle: It is normal for an uncircumcised boy to have "phimosis" trapping the head of the penis within the foreskin. Aggressively retracting the foreskin to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Don't know: I don't know what you mean by a "knot". I assume you mean a painless, firm scrotal mass. If so, you need a physical exam and a scrotal ultrasound.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
Brain mediated: Ejaculation and erections can occur without any physical stimuli and can be mediated by your brain alone. It is normal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
You choose: The choice of treatment depends directly on the risk/benefit assessment and your personal opinion. I agree with the respondents. A circumcision will... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
See endocrinologist: There are many options for treating hypogonadism. However, it is imperative to identify the etiology of the problem as you have implied (primary test... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Vandersteenanswered
Pediatric Urology 33 years experience
No question here: If you are asking "is there blockage in the ureter?" then the answer is possibly. Significant dilation in early gestation increases this risk. It is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
5
Recommendations
407
Thank you notes
Jul 17, 2013
Dr Vandersteen is an exellent & respected pediatric urologist both nationally & internationally. His Healthtap answers are always accurate & reliable
May 6, 2013
Dr Vandersteen provides excellent & reliable answers
HealthTap member
Dec 16, 2012
Dr. Vandersteen answered my questions with expert advice.
I am amazed that Dr. Vandersteen would take time out from his important day to help me. I am very grateful!
Joel Kopel
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Circumcision is not a option for me and past doctors I've seen always ask if it is. Don't understand why they would say that when there is a better way. Glad to hear not...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! but when i drink water i feel my bladder full. in normal i have to pee 14 times in a day
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!i did take him to his Dr. Which said his urine came back positive for Blood.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1990MD
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