Taking care of our health means we need to listen to our doctors about which specialty doctors we might need to visit. Male patients often need to consult a urologist for issues related to their prostate, or if they want a vasectomy. Reasons to visit a urologist may also include erectile dysfunction or pain during urination.
When you go to your first urology appointment, will involve reviewing your medical history, and the urologist will typically order some blood tests. If you have gone to the urologist for prostate issues, the doctor will usually also perform a digital exam. Digital exams feature the doctor placing their finger inside your rectum; to check the prostate for unusual size of texture.
Other urology tests and procedures include a cystoscopy (a scan of the bladder) or ureteroscopy (a scan of the urinary tube.) Vasectomies and biopsies are common urological procedures. If you have an enlarged prostate that is not cancerous, you might have a procedure called a Urolift. According to VeryWell Health, a Urolift is a minimally invasive treatment to relieve symptoms of your prostate enlargement, such as difficulty passing urine, or pain during urination.
Urology is the field of medicine that focuses on the urinary tract system. Physicians that practice within this field diagnose and treat a variety of conditions and disorders. These physicians are also concerned with assisting their clients with the maintenance of urinary tract health through regular screenings and other urologist services.
What Urologists Diagnose and Treat
There are a variety of issues that urologists diagnose and treat. This includes, but is not limited to, these and other conditions:
- Bladder disorders
- Kidney stones
- Prostate cancer
- Testosterone replacement
Urologist services also include performing vasectomies. This procedure has been determined to be nearly 100% effective in the prevention of pregnancy.
A Brief Overview of Some Common Issues
On an annual basis, there are more than 8.1 million physician visits associated with urinary tract infections. An enlarged prostate, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, is also common. Approximately 37 million American men currently suffer with issues related to enlarged prostates. Kidney disease and failure can also arise, with acute and chronic kidney failure are the two primary types.
Prostate cancer is a significant concern. Over the course of their lifetime, approximately one out of every nine men will be diagnosed with this form of cancer. While there are treatment options available, prostate cancer has been determined to be the second leading cause of death within this country.
Learn More About Available Urologist Services
If you haven’t visited a urologist recently, it may be the right time to schedule an appointment to ensure that you’re in good health. During your appointment, you will be able to discuss any issues that you might have been experiencing, discuss any concerns, and ask questions about specific procedures.
If you’re considering a vasectomy, for example, you can ask your urologist about the vasectomy procedure and vasectomy treatment. As previously stated, this procedure tends to be almost totally effective for preventing pregnancy.
Once you visit your urologist, you’ll be able to learn about the additional services they provide, such as consultations. It’s important to remember that regular check-ups and screenings are beneficial so that you are able to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
