When to see a urologist (urologist)?

Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the human urinary system, from the function of the organs involved to its disease. Meanwhile, urologists are specialists who do not only treat urinary problems. So, what diseases do urologists treat?

What is a urologist?

A urologist or urologist is a specialist who treats diseases of the urinary tract and reproductive system, both men and women.

Urology is also known as a surgical specialty. In addition to surgery, urologists must also master internal medicine, pediatrics, and gynecology. This is because urologists will face a large number of health problems.

You may be referred to a urology clinic if you have health problems related to the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. In fact, the doctor who works with the gynecologist also examines problems in the male reproductive organs, such as the penis and prostate.

The following are some of the diseases and health conditions that urologists usually treat.

• Incontinence, whether the bladder is overactive (overactive bladder) or urinary incontinence.
• Prolapse in women.
• Problems with the prostate, such as benign prostate enlargement (BPH disease) and prostate cancer.
• Kidney disease, ranging from acute kidney injury, kidney stones, to kidney failure.
• Erectile dysfunction and infertility in men.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bladder problems.

How to diagnose a urologist

Not much different from other doctors, urologists will perform various tests to diagnose the conditions mentioned above. Some of these examinations include:

• physical examination,
• blood tests, such as a test for creatinine and blood urea levels,
• urine test,
• imaging tests, such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT-Scan, as well
• cystoscopy.

If your doctor succeeds in diagnosing the disease you are experiencing, he will advise you to undergo different treatment options, including surgical surgery.

There is no need to worry because urologists are trained in performing certain types of surgery, namely as follows.

• Sling procedures to treat urinary incontinence and prolapse.
• Repair bladder and remove blockages.
• Vasectomy and removing tissue from the swollen prostate.

When should I see a urologist?

It's not an easy matter to know when you need to see a urologist. Apart from getting a referral from a general practitioner, various symptoms of urology may also be a sign that you need to see a urologist.

The sooner you get treatment from the experts, the sooner your condition will improve. Here are some conditions that may indicate you need to go to a urology clinic.

• UTI that does not go away, despite antibiotics.
• More frequent urination, making it difficult to hold urine.
• Experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, such as pain in the lower back.
• Suffering from erectile dysfunction (impotence).
• Feeling pain in the pelvis.
• You are a man who worries about fertility problems.

According to Bradley Gill, MD, a urologist from the Cleveland Clinic, men are encouraged to routinely see a urologist starting at the age of 40 years. This may be different from women who need to routinely see a gynecologist since adolescence.

This is because men aged 40 years and over have less immune system and are prone to diseases of the urinary tract and reproductive organs.

What's more, men who have been sexually active will also be more susceptible to venereal disease. Therefore, with increasing age, men are advised to regularly consult a urologist.

Urologists do not work alone

When urologists treat patients, they will usually work closely with other specialists. For example, a doctor treating a patient with prostate cancer will need the help of an oncologist (cancer specialist) to plan treatment.

Another example is when a female patient experiences symptoms such as pelvic pain it may be a sign of cystitis or endometriosis. The urologist will work with your gynecologist to find out what treatment is right for you.

This may be because some of the symptoms of urological problems are often mistaken for other diseases. Therefore, urologists will need cooperation from other specialists in order to provide the right treatment for patients.