Urology is not a department only for men or only for prostate disease. Problems in women such as urinary tract infection, kidney stones and urinary incontinence, and conditions in children such as congenital urinary tract disorders and bedwetting, are also within the scope of urology.
What does urology cover?
The main organs urology deals with are:
- The kidneys
- The ureters, the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder
- The bladder
- The urethra, the channel through which urine leaves the body
- The prostate
- The testicles
- The penis
- The scrotum
Urology diagnoses diseases of these organs and evaluates options such as medical therapy, follow-up, endoscopic intervention or surgical treatment.
Which diseases does urology treat?
The conditions diagnosed and treated by urology cover a broad field.
Kidney and urinary tract diseases
- Kidney stones
- Ureteral and bladder stones
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney cysts
- Strictures of the urinary tract
- Kidney, ureter and bladder tumours
- Blood in the urine
- Congenital urinary tract disorders (UPJ obstruction)
Bladder and voiding problems
- Frequent urination
- Waking up at night to urinate
- Burning during urination
- Difficulty starting urination
- Intermittent or weak urinary stream
- Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Sudden urinary urgency
- Urinary incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Inability to urinate
Prostate diseases
- Benign prostatic enlargement
- Prostatitis
- Prostate cancer
- Elevated PSA
- Voiding difficulty due to the prostate
Male sexual health problems
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Delayed ejaculation or anejaculation
- Reduced sexual desire
- Penile curvature and Peyronie's disease
- Painful erection
- Priapism, a prolonged erection
Male reproductive health problems
Does urology treat women?
Yes. Urology treats both women and men. In women, the following conditions in particular fall within urology:
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Kidney and urinary tract stones
- Blood in the urine
- Bladder pain
- Strictures and obstruction of the urinary tract
- Kidney and bladder tumours
Diseases of the female reproductive organs mostly belong to obstetrics and gynaecology. However, if the problem involves the urinary tract or bladder, a urological assessment may be required.
What does pediatric urology deal with?
Pediatric urology deals with urinary system and genital organ diseases from infancy through adolescence. The main conditions are:
- Undescended testis
- Hypospadias
- Circumcision-related problems
- Recurrent urinary tract infection
- Bedwetting
- Vesicoureteral reflux (assessed with VCUG)
- Obstruction at the kidney outlet
- Congenital kidney and urinary tract disorders
- Testicular torsion
Sudden, severe testicular pain in particular requires emergency assessment because of possible testicular torsion.
How is a urology examination performed?
A urology consultation begins by listening to the patient's complaints and medical history. The doctor may ask about:
- When the complaint started
- Voiding habits
- Whether there is pain, burning or bleeding
- Previous illnesses and operations
- Current medications
- Sexual function and reproductive health problems
- Urological diseases in the family
Depending on the complaint, a physical examination of the abdomen, kidney area or genital organs may be performed. When the prostate needs to be assessed, a digital rectal examination may be carried out. Not every patient undergoes the same examination and tests.
Which tests are used in urology?
Depending on the complaint and examination findings, one or more of the following may be requested:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Blood tests, creatinine and kidney function tests
- PSA test
- Ultrasound
- Computed tomography
- MRI
- Uroflowmetry, the urinary flow test
- Urodynamics
- Cystoscopy
- Semen analysis
- Hormone tests
- Prostate biopsy
Test selection takes into account the patient's age, symptoms, examination findings and the conditions being considered.
What is the difference between urology and nephrology?
Although both may involve the kidneys, urology and nephrology are not the same department. Urology deals with kidney stones, urinary tract obstruction, prostate diseases, bladder problems and urinary system conditions that may require surgery. Nephrology deals with impaired kidney function, chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, nephritis and dialysis — that is, the internal medicine of the kidney. Some patients need to be assessed by both departments together.
Which symptoms warrant a urology visit?
If any of the following is present, seeing a urologist is advised:
- Burning or pain while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination
- Waking several times at night to urinate
- Weakening of the urinary stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Flank, back or groin pain
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Testicular pain, swelling or a palpable mass
- Erection or ejaculation problems
- Inability to conceive
- Penile curvature
- Elevated PSA
Complete inability to urinate, severe flank pain with fever, sudden severe testicular pain or heavy bleeding in the urine may require emergency assessment.
Is urology only for men?
No. Urology treats women, men and children of all ages. This misconception mainly arises because prostate, testicular and male sexual health conditions also belong to urology. Since diseases of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract also occur in women, urology is a department women can consult as well.
Frequently asked questions
What does urology mean?
Urology is a surgical medical specialty that deals with the urinary system in both women and men, and additionally with the reproductive system and sexual health in men.
Who is a urologist?
A urologist is a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats urinary system diseases in women, men and children, and reproductive and sexual health problems in men.
Which department should I see for kidney pain?
For complaints such as kidney stones, urinary tract obstruction or blood in the urine, you can see a urologist. If impaired kidney function or chronic kidney disease is suspected, a nephrology assessment may be needed.
Does urology treat urinary tract infections?
Yes. Urinary tract infections in men, recurrent infections, infections that persist despite treatment, or those with fever and flank pain should be assessed by a urologist.
Should I see a urologist for sexual problems?
Yes. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, penile curvature, painful erection and male infertility all fall within urology.
Which department handles prostate check-ups?
Prostate enlargement, prostatitis, elevated PSA and suspected prostate cancer should be evaluated by urology.
Can women see a urologist for urinary incontinence?
Yes. Urinary incontinence, overactive bladder and recurrent urinary tract infections in women can be evaluated by urology.
Related pages
The scope of urology described here reflects the current departmental definitions of Turkish Ministry of Health hospitals and the clinical topic headings of the European Association of Urology. Urology covers the diagnosis and treatment of the urinary system in women and men, and of the male reproductive system. Source: Ministry of Health – Department of Urology.
