Urology

Urology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the urinary tract, which includes the:

• Kidneys
• Urinary bladder
• Ureters
• Urethra

For male patients, urologists also focus on conditions of the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis). For female patients, urologists also treat conditions affecting the pelvic floor, such as incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Urologists treat a wide range of conditions and use a combination of surgical and medical approaches to manage these conditions. Urology is a surgical specialization, so urologists are able to perform a range of procedures.

Some common urological surgeries include:

• Vasectomy
• Ureteroscopy and laser treatments of kidney stones
• Pelvic prolapse repairs
• Sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence
• Botox injections for overactive neurogenic bladder
• Transurethral prostate resection
• Transurethral resection of bladder tumors
• Cystoscopy
• Hydrocelectomies
• Lithrotripsies

Urologists also prescribe medicine as indicated to help treat a wide range of conditions or offer behavioral training to treat conditions affecting the pelvic floor. This training often involves exercises intended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

You may need to see a urologist if you are experiencing issues with your urinary system, pelvic floor, or male reproductive system.

Some common issues that may lead patients to seek out care from a urologist include:

• Blood in urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Kidney stones
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Bladder leakage
• Changes in urination, like feeling the need to urinate all the time
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection
• Experiencing a dropping feeling in your vagina or heaviness in that area

At your first visit with your urologist, come prepared to discuss why you are there. Consider writing down your concerns and symptoms that led you there to get the most out of your visit.

Given the type of conditions that urologists care for, some patients may feel disconcerted to discuss their symptoms in detail. Remember that these symptoms are common and that urologists have years of experience helping patients with similar needs.

At your first visit, you can expect your urologist to perform a physical examination and order additional testing to diagnose your condition and determine the course of treatment. Be aware that during your physical examination, your urologist may have to do a rectal exam or pelvic exam, depending on the symptoms that brought you in.

Your urologist may order urinalysis tests, blood tests, or semen tests. For these tests, you will have to provide a sample, so you may want to drink some water before the appointment in case you have to provide a urine sample.

Your urologist may also order imaging to better screen for conditions. Urologists employ a number of imaging tests, such as:

• CT scan
• Ultrasound
• Pyelogram (urinary tract X-ray)
• Cystography (X-ray or fluoroscopy of the bladder)
• Prostate/rectal sonogram
• Renal angiogram

For many common surgical procedures, you can expect it to take about 6 to 8 weeks to make a full recovery. However, you will likely be able to return to work and begin progressing toward normal activity sooner. Recovery time for urological surgeries will vary from patient to patient and depend on which surgery was performed.

You should not rush the recovery process, as it may interfere with healing and extend recovery times. Be sure to ask your doctor about any restrictions or precautions to take post-surgery and give you a clearer recovery timeline.

In many cases, you will be sent home on the same day or the next day after your surgery. You may be sent home with medications, a urinary catheter, or other aids to facilitate the healing process. Your doctor will inform you more about this before and after surgery.

If you go home with a catheter, consider stocking up on supplies to empty, clean, and change it. You may want to consider getting gloves, disinfecting wipes, and accessories to make showering easier.