Locations
Office
Seattle, WA
Insurances accepted
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Office
Seattle, WA
Office
Seattle, WA
About
Bio
I am a urologist with a specialty interest in advanced laparoscopic surgery, endourology, and the medical and surgical management of kidney stones. I spend about 20% of my time dedicated to research focusing on new minimally invasive imaging and treatment technologies for kidney stones. I also study the epidemiology of dietary and lifestyle factors as they relate to kidney stone formation. I have kidney stones myself, and so I understand the pain and discomfort that comes with passing a kidney stone and really focus on the prevention of future kidney stones. I love living in Seattle with my wonderful wife and two young sons.
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.
Urology
General Surgery
Doctor Q&A
116 Answers
139 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Low: The chances are low, but it is stll possible. Please practice protected sex unless you are trying to get pregnant.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Not usually: Just the difficulty emptying. If you are straining to urinate that can irritate the prostate.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Stone?: Do you have a history of kidney stones? The pain in you back and urinary urgency and frequency can occur with a stone that has not yet passed that is... Read More
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Usually not: If he has a negative specimen then the risk of failure is about 1 in 200 (0.5%) so it is not impossible but unlikely.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy would be a treatment that manipulates or alters a hormonal axis. In the urology world, hormone therapy consists of injections or pill... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Good question: The creatinine is used to assess the quality of the collection. Based on your weight, body composition, and being a female you should have a certain ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Test: If you are wondering and worried, then a simple pregnancy test will give you the answer.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Flomax (tamsulosin): Flomax (or tamsulosin) is a selective Alpha blocker medication. Used to help men empty their bladder by relaxing the bladder neck. It is also used ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Phimosis: If you are uncircumcsed and are having trouble pulling back your foreskin then it sounds like "phimosis." see a provider and they will sometmes recom... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
BUN: Blood urea nitrogen is a blood test that is used to evaluate kidney function and hydration status. The urea nitrogen comes as a normal biproduct of p... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 66-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
May not be normal: Nephrostomy tubes often get cloudy or lightly bloody drainage. It may need to be flushed. If still draining urine, they are probably still in the c... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Depends: It is most common for boys to get circumcised just after birth. However, some men decide after they become an adult to get circumcised for a variety ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Not usually: Not usually, but a lymph node can enlarge due to inflammation or infection.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Normal: It is normal to get an erection with arrousal. In the beginning of this process there is often a small amount of semen that is expressed.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Herpes virus: There are 2 strains of herpes virus (hsv 1 and 2). Hsv1 usually gives cold sores, hsv2 usaually the genital infection. While each virus prefers one ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Erectile dysfunction: If you get good erections spontaneously, then it is not likely an anatomic problem. This may be due to anxiety. Do your best to try and get comforta... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Marijuana: I assume you are talking about marijuana.
Most researchers agree that urine tests for marijuana can detect the presence of the drug in the body for u... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Probably overkill: The timing and tampon alone were probably enough, especially if he didn't enter or ejaculate inside you.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Small volume: Most of the secretions in ejaculate come from the prostate so the volume would appear very small (like less than 15% what it should be).
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Discharge: Sounds like urethritis. Urethral discharge is not good. Could be a sti like chlamydia or gonorrhea, could be irritation, could be a fungal infection... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
No: Masturbation will not enlarge the prostate.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Yes: Pregnancy tests are pretty reliable. Anything that causes stress (like kidney stones) can delay your period.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Viagra (sildenafil): Viagrais a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (pde5) in the same family as Levitra (vardenafil) and... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Regularly: Birth control pills are meant to be taken regularly and as prescribed. They are quite effective at preventing a pregnancy, but only if taken like the... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Kidney disease: Most kidney disease/kidney failure comes from longstanding, poorly controlled high blood pressure and/or diabetes. Nowaadays, it is rare for kidney ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Usuially slowly: Prostate cancer is typically very slow growing. Whether the cancer will have any impact on his livelihood depends on how aggressive the cancer is (us... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Cancer: It is not entirely clear, but it sounds like he may have recurrent cancer after his treatment? Keep your spirits up, while a cure may be unlikely, th... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Ditropan (oxybutynin): Oxybutynin is a generic medication in the class of "antcholinergic" drugs. It is often prescribed for overactive bladder to relax the bladder. It is... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Almost all of them: The actual circumcision procedure is not usually painful since it is done with some numbing medicine, but afterwards, the circumcision incision will b... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
TVUS: Transvaginal ultrasound is an ultrasound examination where the ultrasound probe is placed into the vagina. It is often used to visualize structures t... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Does it matter?: If you are trying to conceive and you think you are showing signs of ovulation, then go for it again. The only way to know is with a pregnancy test a... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Outbreak: If you think you are having an outbreak, there are meds (i.e. Valtrex, (valacyclovir) famvir, or acyclovir) to help it resolve more quickly and suppr... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
No change sensation: Viagra (sildenafil) only helps to increase the chance of having an erection. Does not change the sensation (other than allowing sex to happen) of int... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Alpha blocker: Doxazosin is a medication in the class of non-specific Alpha blockers. It is often used to lower blood pressure, or to improve bladder emptying. Dox... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Evaluation: The first thing the urologist is likely to discuss is if the kidney stones need to be treated or not. Small stones can often be followed, but if they... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
None: Usually there are no symptoms, but it depends on where they have formed. They can occur in the sinuses or the bladder. Sometimes they are detected d... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Size: Your size is your size after puberty. There is no good way to increase penis size, despite the television and magazine ads. One of the few exception... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Hard to know: Lots of different symptoms going on. All the GI symptoms plus a cough could be the flu, but the urinary symptoms are not likely related. If it persi... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 64-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
See how it goes: If it goes away on its own then probably nothing to worry about. If it persists, then further evaluation would probably be necessary.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Not sure: Hard to know without seeing what it looks like. Would recommend an evaluation by your primary doctor to start.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Inverted papilloma: They are usually benign (not cancerous). They can occur in the bladder or the sinuses, and are rare in both locations.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
US: Diagnostic ultrasound is an ultrasound examinatoin performed to try gather information about the tissues or organ being examined. It is non-invasive ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
PSA: "prostate specific antigen" is a blood test to evaluate for prostate cancer. Psa comes essentially only from the prostate. It tends to increase with... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Hard to know: Hard to know without seeing it. If you are worried, then you could see a general practitioner first, and they could refer to a specialist if there is... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Period: Your monthly period can be senstive to any stresses. A UTI and stress could certainly explain being a few days late but if it goes on much longer, th... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Irritation: Usually the antibiotics clear up the urgency and pain within a few days. You may have some residual irritation of the bladder. Alternatively, it wou... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Duration of treatmen: Depends on how long you were supposed to be treated, how many days you missed, and how many days you got before you stopped.
Most of the time you n... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Certainly!: Absolutely. The urine toxicology test will pick up morphine like medications regardless of why/how you take them.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Mathew Sorensenanswered
Urology 22 years experience
Unlikely: Unlikely with all the testing, but if they were done right after your last cycle then it might be worth repeating some of the tests.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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.
7
Recommendations
245
Thank you notes
Nov 27, 2012
I have worked with Dr Sorensen on several complex minimally-invasive surgeries. He is well-trained and a great surgeon.
Nov 27, 2012
Dr. Sorensen is a compassionate physician and a skilled surgeon. I endorse this doctor.
Nov 27, 2012
Dr. Sorensen is an excellent surgeon with a great bedside manner.
HealthTap member
Thank you! I'm not leaking, I feel discomfort if I don't go instantly, and my stomach will make gurgling noises, and I'll feel jabs of pain.
HealthTap member
Thank you :) though the blood only comes out when im urinating im still scared of the fact that its alot
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Icurrently don't have any insurance but i can go to the ER.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Washington School of Public Health
Graduated 2008MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
Graduated 2004MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of Utah
Graduated 1999MD
Residency
University of Washington Medical Center
Awards
Top Doctor, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Best of the AUA/JUA Annual Meeting, American Urological Association Education and Research
Excellence in Research award, American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress
Affiliations
American Urological Association
Endourological Society
American College of Surgeons
Publications
Quantitative Assessment of Shockwave Lithotripsy Accuracy and the Effect of Respiratory Motion
Impact of calcium intake and intestinal calcium absorption on kidney stones in older women: the study of osteoporotic fractures.
Impact of nutritional factors on incident kidney stone formation: a report from the WHI OS.
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