What Is a Urologist?

A urologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the genitourinary system, which includes the bladder, kidneys, and the male reproductive system.

When Should You See a Urologist?

Urologists generally see patients for a wide range of issues related to the genitourinary system. Typically, a patient is referred to a urologist by his or her primary physician with symptoms such as:

Sometimes, patients will not have any obvious symptoms but will be referred to a urologist because of an abnormality found during exams for another condition.

What Areas Do Urologists Specialize In?

There are seven urological subspecialties:

  • Pediatric Urology: urologic diseases and conditions that involve children
  • Urologic Oncology: cancers of the prostate, testicles, bladder and kidneys
  • Renal Transplantation: transplanting kidneys from donors to patients with end-stage kidney disease
  • Male Infertility: conditions that make it difficult or impossible for men to impregnate a woman
  • Calculi: stones in the urinary tract or kidney
  • Female Urology: urinary difficulties in women, as well as problems with the muscles and tissues of the pelvis (pelvic outlet relaxation disorders)
  • Neurourology: conditions involving the muscles and nerves that control urination, or nerve problems affecting male erections
References

What is a Urologist?. (2005). American Urological Association. p. 1-7.

What is Urology? (1999). American Urological Association.

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR

All Article Categories

Suggested Doctors

Sorry, there are no matching doctors in your area
Please choose a different location

,

,

See more Suggested Doctors

Recently Asked Questions