What Urology Covers

• Urinary tract for all genders: kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and adrenal glands

• Male reproductive organs: testes, epididymides, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, penis  

Role of the Urologist

• Diagnosis & Treatment: Addresses conditions surgically and medically—from urinary tract infections and kidney stones to prostate enlargement and incontinence

• Surgical scope: Includes minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robotic), open, endoscopic, and laser procedures 

• Collaborations: Works alongside nephrologists, oncologists, gynecologists, pediatric surgeons, colorectal surgeons, and endocrinologists 

Common Conditions Treated

• Urinary issues (both sexes): UTIs, incontinence, bladder prolapse, overactive bladder 

• Kidney & urinary stones: Nephrolithiasis and ureteral stones  

• Cancers: Of the bladder, kidneys, prostate, testicles, penis, and adrenal glands 

• Male-specific conditions: BPH, erectile dysfunction, infertility, prostatitis, Peyronie’s disease 

• Pediatric issues: Congenital urinary problems, bedwetting, undescended testes 

• Neurologic issues: Neurogenic bladder from spinal cord injuries or neurological diseases

1. Abnormal Urination

• Pain or difficulty urinating, such as burning, hesitation, weak flow, or straining—these may indicate UTIs, stones, enlarged prostate, or urethral strictures 

• Frequent, urgent, or uncontrolled urination (urge incontinence, overactive bladder) often benefits from specialized evaluation .

2. Blood in Urine (Hematuria)

Even small visible or microscopic blood in the urine can signal anything from infection and kidney stones to serious conditions like bladder or kidney cancer. Early detection is critical .

3. Kidney or Ureteral Stones

Severe low back or flank pain, blood in urine, nausea—common signs that require urologic evaluation to prevent kidney damage or recurrent stones 

4. Urinary Incontinence & Bladder Control Issues

Leaking during coughing, sneezing, or sudden urge—urologists diagnose and treat stress, urge, overflow, or mixed incontinence using medications, pelvic exercises, or surgical methods 

5. Prostate Concerns

Men experiencing urinary hesitancy, weak stream, dribbling, or elevated PSA levels may have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer. Urologists guide management from medication to surgery .

6. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Difficulty getting or maintaining erections may indicate vascular, nerve-related, or hormonal issues. Urologists offer tailored medical, device-based, or surgical treatments 

7. Fertility Issues in Men

Low sperm count or infertility concerns often stem from varicocele, hormonal imbalance, or structural problems. Specialists can properly diagnose and address them .

8. Genital or Pelvic Pain and Masses

Pain or lumps in the testes, penis, or pelvic area—may indicate infections, hernias, or tumors, and require professional assessment .

9. Recurring UTIs

Especially when infections recur (>2 in 6 months or >3 in a year), you should seek a urologist to prevent complications and ensure correct treatment 

10. Pelvic Organ Issues in Women

Conditions like cystocele or bladder prolapse—often post-childbirth or due to muscle weakness—can be evaluated and treated surgically or with pelvic support methods .

It is time to consult  if you are having any of the following symptoms

• Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the penis
• An abnormal discharge from the penis
• Itchy rash, blisters, sores, or small red bumps
• Blood in urine or semen
• An erection that lasts more than 4 hours
• A foreskin that is too tight to move
• Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
• Strong pain in the back, groin or sides

1. Urinary & Bladder Conditions

• Cystoscopy & Ureteroscopy: Endoscopic exams using a scope through the urethra to visualize and treat issues in bladder, ureter, or kidney—can remove small stones or take biopsies 

• Lithotripsy (ESWL or laser): Shockwave or laser energy fragments stones so they can be passed naturally via urine 

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): Small incision in the back to directly remove large kidney stones 

2. Prostate Conditions

• TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate): Gold-standard minimally invasive procedure to shave excess prostate tissue, relieving bladder outlet obstruction with excellent outcomes 

• Laser prostate treatments (GreenLight, Thulium): Vaporize prostate tissue via scope, reducing bleeding risk  

• Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE): Blocks blood flow to shrink the prostate using catheters—effective, outpatient, fewer sexual side-effects 

• Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT): Heats and reduces prostate tissue via a catheter for moderate enlargement 

• Aquablation: Robotic water-jet resection of prostate—reduces urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function better than laser 

• Prostatectomy: Surgical removal of part or all of the prostate; options include open, laparoscopic, or robotic-assisted methods for benign disease or cancer .

3. Urinary Incontinence

• Pelvic floor physiotherapy & lifestyle changes: Strengthen muscles to reduce leakage; first-line, non-invasive approach .

• Urethral inserts/pessaries: Devices providing support to control stress incontinence  

• Suburethral sling surgery: Implant supports to lift the urethra and block leakage.

• Artificial urinary sphincter: Inflatable device implanted around the urethra to address severe male incontinence 

4. Cancer & Major Urologic Surgeries

• Cystectomy: Partial or radical removal of the bladder for cancer, often followed by urinary diversion (e.g., neobladder) 

• Nephrectomy: Removal of part or all of the kidney—can be done open, laparoscopically, or robotically .

• Prostatectomy (radical) for prostate cancer—often robotic-assisted for precision and nerve preservation .

5. Other Urologic Surgeries

• Vasectomy & vasectomy reversal: Permanent male sterilization or restoration of fertility 

• Orchiopexy: Fixes undescended testicles in children

• Penile prostheses & plication: Treat erectile dysfunction or penile curvature (e.g., Peyronie’s disease)  

• Urethroplasty/stenting: Repair strictures or insert stents to maintain open urine flow  

6. Minimally Invasive & Robotic Techniques

• Robotic-assisted laparoscopy: Used widely for prostate, kidney, and bladder surgeries—enhances precision, reduces recovery time .

• Image-guided robotic tools & future trends: Emerging technologies aim to further refine surgery through better navigation and haptic feedback 

7. Medication & Non-Surgical Therapies

• Alpha-blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, anticholinergics/PDE5 inhibitors: First-line for BPH, overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction 

• Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA): Injected into the bladder to treat overactive bladder or neurogenic bladder dysfunction .

How to Choose?

Treatment depends on:

• The specific condition & its severity

• Patient’s overall health and preferences

• Minimally invasive vs. open surgical options

• Goals like fertility preservation, sexual function, or cancer control

Next Steps

If you're considering treatment, a urologist will evaluate via:

• Symptoms, physical exam, and diagnostics (urinalysis, imaging)

• Endoscopic assessment (cystoscopy, ureteroscopy)

• Shared decision-making about medical vs. surgical approaches