Urology is the medical specialty that treats diseases and problems related to the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. It is also a surgical specialty. Urologists diagnose and treat urinary tract and reproductive system issues in men and women of all ages. They can treat conditions like prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, urinary tract infections and more.
Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the kidneys, bladder, ureter, prostate and genital system. These problems can include urological cancers, urinary incontinence, impotence and infertility.
Doctors who specialize in urology have extensive knowledge of internal medicine, pediatrics and gynecology, as well as surgery. They use both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options to cure a wide range of conditions. They are also trained in genitourinary oncology, a subspecialty that deals with the management of malignant diseases such as cancers of the kidney, bladder, prostate, ureters, testicles and penis.
In addition, urologists may treat patients with urinary tract infections and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as performing vasectomies or vasectomy reversals to help men get pregnant. They also perform a variety of procedures to treat genital abnormalities, including bedwetting, circumcision and undescended testicles. They are often trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery.
Urology is a surgical specialty that treats the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases affecting the kidneys, bladder, ureters and scrotum, and it also deals with conditions such as cancer of the prostate and penis.
The medical training to become a urologist is a combination of college and medical school, followed by four or five years of surgical residency. During this time, you are taught by a mentor and work alongside experienced urologists in an academic hospital setting.
After you have completed your training, you can start your practice with an established urology service or start your own independent urology business. You can also choose to focus on specific areas of urology such as reconstructive surgery, endo-urology and urogynecology.
Urology is the medical specialty that focuses on the bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys and other aspects of the urinary tract. This includes issues such as infections, hematuria (blood in the urine), and kidney stones. Urologists usually become doctors after earning their bachelor's degree and completing a four-year medical degree program. They then go on to complete a five-to-six-year residency program that offers training in both surgical and medical treatments of urologic diseases.
A subspecialty of urology and gynecology called urogynecology specializes in the study and treatment of pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary or fecal incontinence, constipation, and pelvic organ prolapse. These conditions frequently occur in tandem, which makes it important for urologists and gynecologists to collaborate to provide the best care. In 2012, the American Board of Medical Specialties recognized this subspecialty and accredits fellowship programs to train physicians in this area.
Urology is the medical specialty that deals with genital and urinary tract disorders in children. Doctors who have specialized training in this field treat children from newborn to adolescence (up to 16 years). Pediatric urologists are physicians-surgeons who have additional specialized training in diagnosing and treating genitourinary problems in children, including common concerns like undescended testicles, recurrent urinary tract infections, ongoing incontinence, “shy bladder,” and other difficulties with urination.
In addition, they specialize in complex urogenital reconstruction for serious congenital (present at birth) and acquired defects. These conditions can include bladder exstrophy, epispadias, cloacal exstrophy, hydronephrosis, hypospadias, kidney dysplasia, polycystic kidney disease, and renal agenesis.
In pediatric urology, you get to work in a much milder culture than you would in a general urology hospital and you have more latitude in your career pathway. You can choose to focus on an individualized area of expertise and enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
