Dr. Stephen Holst is certified by the American Board of Urology and National Board of Medical
Examiners. He has been practicing urology for over 30 years and has extensive experience in helping
patients with their urological problems. Specializing in vasectomy and vasectomy reversals, Dr.
Holst is a trusted specialist for his patients all over North East Wyoming and the Big Horn mountain
range.
Dr. Stephen Holst is a board certified urologist practicing in Wyoming. Dr. Holst grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He did his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University where he received his B.A. in biomedical engineering. He moved back to Colorado to attend medical school at the University of Colorado in Denver, where he graduated with honors in 1983. He also was accepted into the urology residency program there. During his internship, he met his wife Kathryn, who was working as a nurse on the surgical floor. She continues to work as a nurse (one of many of her roles) in Dr. Holst’s office.
After two years of general surgery and three years of urology training, Dr. Holst accepted a position at Western Urology, a large urology group in Denver, where he worked for six years. During his time there, Dr. Holst gained tremendous amount of experience, performed a broad range of different surgeries, and managed many unique urologic cases. Dr. Holst and Kathryn started their family in Denver and have been blessed with three children, Rachael, Daniel and Emily.
Following their dream to raise their family in a smaller community in the intermountain west, they moved to Wyoming in 1994 and established Big Horn Urology, P.C. Twenty three years later, Rachael is a pediatric ICU nurse in Memphis,Tennessee, Daniel is in his Urology residency in San Diego, and Emily is working on her M.A. in English at the University of Montana.
Dr. Holst is member of the American Urologic Association and is an active member of the
community. He serves on the Whitney Benefits Board in Sheridan, WY. He enjoys, all things Wyoming; hiking, fishing, and working with his hunting dogs. He loves riding his bike to work.
Education:
Products And Services
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer begins in your bladder which is a balloon-shaped organ that stores urine in your pelvic area. It mainly starts with the cells that line the inside of your bladder. Most of the time, adults are affected, but it can occur at any age. Usually, bladder cancer is diagnosed at an early stage which is extremely beneficial to the treatment side of things. Unfortunately, bladder cancer is likely to recur. Because of this, cancer survivors often have follow-up tests for years to make sure that it doesn’t come back.
Bladder Prolapse
Bladder prolapse, also known as cystocele, occurs when the tissue between a woman's vaginal wall and bladder weakens and stretches. This causes the bladder to bulge into the vagina. Prolapsed bladder is often associated with menopause. Estrogen helps keep the muscles in and around the vagina strong, and after menopause, you don’t create as much of this. The four grades associated with this condition are:
+Grade 1 (mild): Only a small portion of the bladder droops into the vagina.
+Grade 2 (moderate): The bladder droops enough to be able to reach the opening of the vagina.
+Grade 3 (severe): The bladder protrudes from the body through the vaginal opening.
+Grade 4 (complete): The entire bladder protrudes entirely outside the vagina; usually associated with other forms of pelvic organ prolapse (uterine prolapse, rectocele, enterocele).
Erectile Dysfunction
Also referred to as impotence, erectile dysfunction is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. You shouldn’t necessarily be concerned if it happens time to time. However, if it is an ongoing problem, it can affect your self-confidence, cause stress, and create relationship issues. Difficulty keeping or getting an erection could be linked to an underlying health condition.
Inguinal Hernias
When tissue, such as the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, an inguinal hernia occurs. This bulge can be painful, especially when you bend over, cough, or lift a heavy object. This type of a hernia isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can lead to life-threatening complications.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer originates in the kidneys. The most common type in adults is renal cell carcinoma. For young children, they are more likely to develop a type known as Wilms' tumor. The discovery of kidney cancers is increasing. This is probably because computerized tomography (CT) scans are being used more often, so we can gather more information from the test results. There are tiny tubes in the kidney called tubules, and this is where almost all kidney cancers first form. Fortunately, most kidney cancers are caught before they spread to other organs. If cancers are found earlier, they are easier to treat successfully. However, if it is not detected, these tumors can grow quite large.
Kidney Disease
Kidneys are in charge of cleaning your blood and filtering waste and extra water out of your bloodstream so that you can get rid of it when you pee. They also control your blood pressure. Your kidneys are located on both sides of your spine, just above your waist. They are in the shape of a bean and about the size of your fist.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small “pebbles” or hard deposits that are made from minerals and salts. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. They can either stay in your kidneys or leave your body through your urinary tract. Passing these kidney stones can be considerably painful, but they usually don’t cause any permanent damage if they are recognized at a decent time.
Male Infertility
Statistics say that up to 15% of couples are infertile. This means that even though they have had frequent unprotected sexual intercourse for a year or longer, they are unable to conceive a child. Male infertility can play a role in up to half of these cases. It can be very stressful and frustrating for both partners involved when you are unable to conceive a child.
Peyronie's Disease
Peyronie’s disease is when the fibrous scar tissue inside the penis causes erections to be painful and curved. Penises can vary in size and shape. Having a curved erection is common and shouldn’t be of a concern. The difference with this disease is that the bend or pain is significant. This condition can prevent a man from having sex or maintaining an erection. In a small percentage of cases, the problem will resolve itself. Most of the time though, it will remain stable or even worsen.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in a man's prostate which is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. This is the most common type of cancer in men. Usually, it grows slowly and stays confined to the prostate gland where there is minimal harm caused. Unfortunately, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.
Prostatitis
All men have a walnut-shaped gland that is referred to as the prostate. It is located right below your bladder and in front of your rectum. The prostate is responsible for making the fluid that contains sperm. Prostatitis can occur in men of all ages, but it mainly affects those that are 50 or younger. This condition isn’t cancer, and it is different from having an enlarged prostate.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles. Testicles are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. These are responsible for making male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction. Cancer usually only affects one testicle. This type of cancer is rare compared to others. It is most common in males between the ages of 15-35. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly treatable.
Undescended Testes
An undescended testicle is when the testicle hasn’t moved into its usual place in the scrotum before birth. In most cases, only one testicle is affected, but 10% of the time both are descended. In general, a descended testicle is uncommon, but it is common for baby boys that are born prematurely. The doctor usually finds the problem during the check-up soon after birth. Most of the time, it moves into its proper place on its own during the first few months of life. If it doesn’t correct itself, there are treatment options available.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection taking place in any part of your urinary systems such as kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most of the infections only occur in the lower part of the urinary tract. When it comes to gender, women are more likely of developing a UTI than men are. This is because women have shorter urethras which makes is easier for bacteria to access the bladder quickly. Having sex can also bring bacteria into the urinary tract. Bladder infections can be extremely painful and annoying. If the UTI spreads to your kidney, there can be severe consequences.
Urethral Stricture
When the tube that carries urine out of your body narrows due to scarring, a urethral stricture occurs. Urine flow can then slow down or even become blocked. This condition can cause a variety of problems within the urinary tract. Because males have a longer urethra than females, is it more common for them to experience an urethral stricture.
Vasectomy
A Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. During the procedure, the male vas deferens are severed and then tied or sealed in a manner so as to prevent sperm from entering into the urethra and thereby prevent fertilization. Vasectomies are usually performed in a physician's office, medical clinic, or, when performed on an animal, in a veterinary clinic—hospitalization is not normally required as the procedure is not complicated, the incisions small, and the necessary equipment routine. Dr. Holst specializes in vasectomies & vasectomy reversals in Gillette, Sheridan, Casper, Buffalo, Moorcroft & Wright Wyoming.
Vasectomy reversal is a term used for surgical procedures that reconnect the male reproductive tract after interruption by a vasectomy. Two procedures are possible at the time of vasectomy reversal: vasovasostomy(vas deferens to vas deferens connection) and vasoepididymostomy (epididymis to vas deferens connection). Although vasectomy is considered a permanent form of contraception, advances in microsurgery have improved the success of vasectomy reversal procedures. The procedures remain technically demanding and expensive, and may not restore the pre-vasectomy condition.
Dr. Holst in known throughout Wyoming and beyond for his experience in vasectomy reversals.
