A urologist is a doctor who studies the health of the male urogenital system and the female urinary tract. Pathologies of the genitourinary sphere can significantly reduce the quality of life, as well as lead to infertility, so they require the most careful medical attention. Urology has highly specialized areas: andrology, which focuses on the male reproductive system, and nephrology, which deals with kidney diseases.
When to see a urologist
You may make an appointment or get a referral to a urologist if you have:
● urinary incontinence (enuresis);
● inflammation of the urinary bladder (cystitis), inflammation of the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis), inflammation of the urethra (urethritis);
● sexually transmitted infections (STIs);
● urolithiasis;
● benign hyperplasia of the prostate gland (adenoma of the prostate);
● prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate);
● varicocele;
● phimosis;
● injuries and anomalies in the development of male genital organs;
● neoplastic diseases of the organs of the genitourinary system;
● sexual dysfunctions;
● infertility.
Symptoms indicating the need to consult a urologist:
● pain in the small pelvis, which is repeated or constant;
● soreness and discomfort during sexual intercourse;
● soreness and other urination disorders (change in the amount of urine, its composition, color and smell, nocturia, imperative urges, incontinence)
● pain in the lower back;
● pathological secretions from the genitourinary tract;
● difficulties in having sexual intercourse;
● rash, itching, burning, swelling, redness in the area of external genital organs;
● an increase in inguinal lymph nodes;
Visit to a urologist
The initial consultation of a urologist begins with a conversation, during which the patient describes his complaints in detail, and the doctor collects an anamnesis. After that, the doctor carries out a physical examination: an examination of the external genital organs, palpation of lymph nodes and the anterior abdominal wall, in men - a digital rectal examination (examination of the prostate gland). Based on the results of the anamnesis and examination, the urologist draws up an examination plan.
Anyone can make an appointment with a urologist, no prior preparation is required. You should take your medical documents on the previous examinations and treatment results, if there are any.
Urologic diagnostics
Methods of laboratory and hardware diagnostics are used to detect urological pathology.
Laboratory diagnostics:
● clinical, biochemical blood analysis;
● clinical, biochemical analysis of urine;
● urodynamic testing — functional tests that provide insight into urinary tract functions;
● PSA test (prostate antigen);
● spermogram;
● research of prostate gland juice;
● swab from the urethra for microflora and cytology.
Hardware diagnostics:
● ultrasound examination of organs of the genitourinary system, abdominal and transrectal methods are used in urology.
● endoscopic diagnostics — a modern research method using an endoscope, a device that allows to look inside an organ and see its condition; urethroscopy, cystoscopy, and ureteroscopy are used in urology;
● dopplerography — an ultrasound examination that shows the condition of the vascular bed of a particular organ;
● modern methods of X-ray diagnostics — X-ray and fluoroscopic, renal angiography, urography, tomography, scintigraphy, etc.
Vasoactive tests are also used — methods aimed at detecting erectile dysfunction.
Treatment
Modern urology has wide possibilities for treatment of the entire urological diseases spectrum. Conservative (drug treatment, lithotripsy), surgical methods (microsurgery, minimally invasive endoscopic operations, classical cavity operations) and even their combination are used. Result: mostly complete recovery and restoration of impaired functions. Even in cases where violations have become irreversible, it is possible to find a solution. For example, the use of assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF for infertility.
Urologist's consultation at the "Mother and Child" medical center
Urology is one of the relevant specialties of the "Mother and Child" medical center, as it is closely related to reproductive health and childbirth. The professionalism of our urologists is confirmed by their high qualification, extensive clinical experience, and most importantly, the result, the restored health of our patients and the birth of healthy children.
Reviews