What is urology?
Urology is an area of specialization in medicine that focuses on urinary tract disorders and the male reproductive system. Some may treat general conditions of the urinary tract. In contrast, others specialize in a particular field of urology, such as:
- Female urology focuses on diseases affecting the female reproductive and urinary tract.
- Male infertility focuses on men's fertility issues.
- Neurology focuses on urinary disorders caused by malfunctioning of the nervous system.
- Pediatric urology focuses on urinary problems in children.
- Urologic oncology focuses on urinary system cancers, including the bladder, kidneys, testicles, and prostate.
Who is a urologist?
A urologist is a healthcare professional diagnosing and treating urinary tract disorders in people of all genders. The diseases include kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and adrenal glands. Additionally, they identify and treat conditions of the male reproductive system, including the penis, prostate, scrotum, and testicles.
In some instances, they may perform surgery, such as tumor removal or opening a blockage in the urinary tract. They work in various settings, including hospitals, private clinics, and urology centers.
Urology vs. nephrology
If you want to see a doctor specializing in kidneys, you should schedule an appointment with a nephrologist. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine, not urology. This indicates that nephrologists are not surgeons. Nephrologists must also be able to treat problems that occur elsewhere in the body but are caused or exacerbated by renal abnormalities, such as high blood pressure. Urologists, on the other hand, are surgical specialists.
How does one become a urologist?
To become a urologist, one must first obtain a bachelor's degree and qualify for the Medical College Admissions Test before enrolling in a medical school, which typically lasts four years.
They will spend five to six years in a residency program. During this phase, trainers will instruct students in surgical and medicinal therapies for urologic illnesses. After that, if students want to concentrate on a narrower subject, they'll need to finish a fellowship, which could last one to three years.
Following residency, one may become board-certified by the American Board of Urology. Then, to work as a doctor, they must take and pass a state medical examination and comply with any rules given by the medical board.
Six indications that you need to see a urologist
You can get treatment for minor urinary issues, including a urinary tract infection, from your general care physician. They may direct you to a urologist if your symptoms are not improving or your condition requires a specialized treatment plan.
You should visit a urologist if you have any of these signs or symptoms:
- You suffer from chronic urinary tract infection (UTI): Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called a painful bladder. It causes burning, irritation, and frequent urination that does not improve with antibiotics. To determine the diagnosis, the urologist will test your urine and use a cystoscope to examine your bladder. You can use anti-inflammatory medications to treat IC, and the condition can also be avoided by avoiding specific triggers, most often alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, and chocolate.
- You frequently urinate or have a leaky bladder: Urologists manage overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence symptoms in male and female patients. Lifestyle changes, medicines, and surgical procedures can help manage OAB.
- Your diagnosis states that you have a kidney stone: Although other symptoms of kidney stones include lingering stomach aches, blood in the urine, and urine that smells foul or looks hazy, the most noticeable sign of kidney stones is intense pain on one side of your lower back. You should consult your urologist as soon as possible in such a situation. Kidney stone pain can be excruciatingly painful, and many people claim it is the worst pain they have ever felt.
- You are dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED): Urologists can also treat erectile dysfunction. Although ED might have psychological causes, there is usually a physical or medical condition at the root of the problem.
- The ache in your pelvis is bothering you: Inflammatory prostate cancer, prostate infections, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer are just some ailments that can result in pelvic pain. Your urologist can determine the cause and give treatments accordingly.
- You are a man facing fertility issues: A fertility check-up is in order if you and your spouse haven't been able to get pregnant for six to twelve months. A urologist can evaluate fertility based on semen tests, blood testing, and ultrasounds.
What should you expect when you see a urologist?
When you schedule an appointment with a urologist near you, explain your symptoms and the reason for your visit. Getting a list of questions and replying to inquiries concerning your current medications and medical history may be helpful.
Your urologist will likely prescribe tests to assess your illness and establish the best treatment option.
Some of these exams could include:
- Physical examination: Male and female physical examinations will differ. If you are a man, your doctor may do a rectal exam. If you're a woman, you may need a pelvic check-up.
- Urinalysis, blood tests, and sperm samples: These tests require samples of your urine, blood, and sperm. (You should drink some water before your visit because you may be requested to provide a urine sample.)
- Various imaging tests
What tests do urologists conduct?
When you visit a urologist near you, they will begin with some of these tests to determine your condition:
- A cystogram involves taking X-ray images of your bladder.
- Cystoscopy requires a cystoscope (thin scope) to see the inside of your bladder and urethra.
- Imaging tests, such as CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound, allow them to examine the inside of your urinary tract.
- The post-void residual urine test determines how fast urine exits your body during urination and how much urine is left in your bladder once you urinate.
- A urine test helps check your urine for any pathogenic bacteria.
- Urodynamic testing estimates the pressure and volume inside your bladder.
8 tips for choosing a urologist
While many patients are referred by their primary care doctor, finding a urologist near you who best suits your needs is important for managing your urinary health. Here are eight tips to consider:
Get referrals
Begin the search by asking your primary care doctor for a list of recommended urologists. You can also take recommendations from family, friends, or other healthcare providers. Check the credentials and experience of each urologist on platforms like Healthgrades.com. Once you narrow your options, schedule an appointment with a urologist who seems best suited to help.
Check credentials
Authentic board certification is key to confirming that the urologist has the necessary skills and training. Additionally, make sure the urologist has no record of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions. This information and the urologist's medical education, training hospitals, and certifications can be found on reliable websites.
Look into experience
Experience matters when it comes to choosing a urologist. The more experience they have with a particular condition or procedure, the more likely they will have positive outcomes. Ask about the urologist's experience and complication rates if you need a specific procedure. Urologists with significant experience are generally better at managing potential complications.
Consider gender
Comfort with your urologist's gender can be important, as you'll need to discuss personal information openly. Many urologists have specialized training in gender-specific conditions, such as enlarged prostate in men or stress incontinence in women. Ask if they have experience treating your condition, especially regarding your gender.
Research hospital quality
The quality of the hospital where your urologist works can impact your care. Top-rated hospitals often have lower complication rates and higher survival rates. Consider whether the hospital's location is convenient for you, as you'll likely need to visit for tests or treatment.
Evaluate communication style
Choose a urologist who listens, answers your questions clearly, and respects your treatment preferences. When you first meet, ask questions to gauge how they respond and if they take the time to understand your concerns. A urologist who communicates well can support you better in your treatment journey.
Read patient reviews
Reading patient reviews offers insight into the doctor's practice and office environment. Reviews often include appointment scheduling, wait times, office friendliness, and how well the urologist addresses patient concerns.
Check insurance coverage
Choose a urologist near you who participates in your insurance plan to minimize out-of-pocket costs. Even with insurance, consider the doctor's qualifications, experience, and hospital quality to make an informed choice.
Things to know about prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is more common than you think; therefore, getting screened for the condition is imperative if you are a male over 40 or entering middle age. The prostate, a walnut-sized male reproductive gland producing fluid for semen, is situated behind the rectum and the bladder. Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent after skin cancer in the United States, affecting about one in eight men. However, prostate cancer has a 98% five-year survival rate.
Suppose, following a physical examination, the doctor discovers prostate cancer. In that case, a urologist will likely perform a digital rectal examination (DRE), a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), a prostate biopsy, and order additional imaging tests. The urologist will typically assign a Gleason score, which describes the likelihood of cancer spreading or metastasis. If surgery is necessary to remove cancerous tissue, the urologist might perform a procedure similar to a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
The PSA test is helpful in screening for prostate cancer, although abnormal results do not always indicate the presence of the disease. Abnormal PSA test results (BPH) could indicate a mild illness known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate.
How can prostate cancer be treated?
In some cases, prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause any symptoms. So doctors choose the "wait and watch" approach in such cases. If prostate cancer surgery is necessary, several choices are available, and some doctors may even utilize robots to carry out the procedure.
Robotic prostatectomy is the most popular form of surgically removing the prostate to treat prostate cancer. The surgeon has fine control over the robotic arms holding the equipment. During the process, a tiny camera is put through small incisions. Other prostate cancer therapies include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and cryotherapy.
When men should start getting screened for prostate cancer varies depending on their circumstances. Contrary to the advice of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the American Cancer Society recommends screening men in their 50s for prostate cancer rather than suggesting screening between the ages of 55 and 69.
Finding the best urologists near you
With Zocdoc, your search for the best-qualified urologists is much easier. On the Zocdoc website, enter your symptoms, preferred date and location, and insurance details. You can also use the in-built filters to refine your search. In just seconds, Zocodc will give you a list of the top-rated urologists in Los Angeles.
Before selecting the best urologist for your medical needs, you can also browse through each practitioner's dedicated profiles to learn more about their education, training, experience, specialty, office location, hours of operation, and even affiliations. In addition, you can look through verified patient reviews to help you choose the finest urologist.
If your insurance plan isn't shown on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image to determine and display your probable plan. This service is available only for medical insurance cards, not vision or dental. If you face difficulties uploading the card's image, you can contact Zocdoc's support team for help. For further information, log on to the Zocdoc patient help center page.
With Zocdoc, you can book appointments for the same day, weekend, and even after office hours. You can also book an in-person or online consultation per your and your doctor's availability. All appointment bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Bladder cancer in California
The United States is expected to have 81,180 additional cases of bladder cancer in 2022 (61,700 in males and 19,480 in women), according to the American Cancer Society. Bladder cancer kills about 17,100 persons (12,120 males and 4,980 women). Bladder cancer is more common among older adults. Nine out of every ten patients with this cancer are above the age of 55. People are usually about 73 years old when they receive a diagnosis. Overall, men have a one in 27 chance of developing bladder cancer. Women have a one in 89 chance of becoming pregnant.
The National Provider Identifier 09/2020 dataset states that California has 1,428 active urologists or 3.61 urologists per 100,000 people. According to an analysis of the California Cancer Registry for bladder cancer cases from 1988 to 2012, there were 72,452 in the state. It included 22,260 urothelial carcinomas of the bladder (UCBs), 1390 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 587 adenocarcinomas (ADCs), 370 small-cell carcinomas (SmCCs), and 3845 other cancers. The average age of the patients was 72 years. ADC was more common in younger patients.
Sources
Healthline
Keck Medicine of USC
American Cancer Society
PubMed
Cleveland Clinic
Healthgrades
