Urology (from the Greek οὖρον ouron “urine” and -λογία -logia “study”), also known as urogenital surgery, is a branch of medicine that focuses on the surgical and medicinal methods of treatment. The urinary tract is the system that creates, stores and removes urine from the body. The organs included in the field of urology are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra (for both sexes) and male reproductive organs (testicles and their appendages, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis). Urologists treat any part of this system.

For men, urologists treat:

• Kidney, ureter, bladder, penis, testicle, and prostate gland cancer
• benign enlargement of the prostate gland
• erectile dysfunction or difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
• infertility
• interstitial cystitis, also called painful bladder syndrome
• kidney diseases
• kidney stones
• prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate gland
• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• varicose testicular veins, or enlarged veins in the scrotum

For women, urologists treat::

• kidney stone disease
• cancer of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethral glands
• interstitial cystitis
• overactive bladder
• urinary tract infection
• bladder prolapse
• urinary incontinence

When should you visit a urologist??

Your GP can treat uncomplicated urinary tract conditions such as a urinary tract infection. Your GP may refer you to a urologist if your symptoms do not improve or there is a condition that requires treatment that they cannot provide.

How do you know when it’s time to see a urologist? If you have any of the following symptoms that indicate a urinary tract problem:

• blood in the urine
• frequent or urgent need to urinate
• pain in the lower back, pelvis or side
• pain or burning during urination
• problems urinating
• leakage of urine
• weak urine flow, dribbling
• a kidney stone was detected in one of the radiological examinations

You should also see a urologist if you are a man and you observe the following symptoms:

• decreased sexual desire
• a palpable lump in the testicle
• difficulty getting or keeping an erection