What Is a Urologist?
Urologists are doctors who treat conditions of the urinary tract in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). Your urinary tract is your body's system for making pee.
Urologists also help manage issues with the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that maintain certain body processes, and the reproductive system, which includes your organs involved in urination, sexual function, fertility, and/or menstruation.
Your regular doctor may refer you to a urologist if you're having problems with your urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and ureters.
Nephrologist vs. urologist
A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes only in kidneys and conditions related to or affected by kidney problems, including high blood pressure. Nephrology is a subset of internal medicine. Nephrologists don't perform surgery.
Urologists, however, are surgeons whose specialty includes the treatment and diagnosis of conditions involving the urinary tract, reproductive system, and adrenal glands.
What Does a Urologist Do?
Urologists are trained to treat:
- Incontinence (loss of bladder control)
- Bedwetting
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Erectile dysfunction
- Kidney stones
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Cancer (in prostate, kidney, testicles, bladder)
- Peyronie's disease (scar tissue in the penis)
- Infertility
- Prolapse (when the uterus slips out of place or sticks out of the vagina)
Urologists are also trained to perform various surgeries in the urinary tract, including:
- Sling procedures to help with prolapse or urinary incontinence
- Removal of blockages
- Repairs to urinary organs
- Vasectomies
- Removing excess tissue from an enlarged prostate
- Removal of the entire prostate
Many urologists work in private practice. Some choose to specialize in targeted areas of urology. The American Urological Association recognizes seven different subspecialties:
- Male infertility
- Urology oncology (cancers of the urinary tract)
- Urinary tract stones (calculi)
- Female urology
- Kidney (renal) transplant
- Pediatric urology
- Neurology (deals with the control of the nervous system for genitourinary organs)
What Kind of Training Does a Urologist Have?
Once they receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, a urologist's education includes attending a medical school with accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Doctors are then required to complete a residency program that lasts five to six years.
Training during the first two years of most residency programs focuses on general surgery. The next three to four years focus on the field of urology. Once a urologist completes training, they must be certified by the American Board of Urology before they can start treating patients.
Doctors must complete several different components before earning the certification.
- Pass a written exam overseen by the American Board of Urology
- Acquire an unrestricted medical license
- Assess clinical practice by way of a peer review of clinical logs
- Finish 16 months of practice in one community
- Take and pass an oral examination from the American Board of Urology
After receiving certification, some urologists choose to go on to complete fellowships. These allow doctors to receive further training in one of the seven urology subspecialties.
Urologist salary
The average urologist's salary range varies according to years of experience and region. For example, the average salary of a urologist in the Southeast is about $524,000 a year. New urologists in the same area make between $295,000 and $420,000 annually, and those with the most experience make up to $917,000 a year.
Reasons for Referral to a Urologist
Your regular doctor may decide you need to see a urologist if you have symptoms such as:
- Blood in your urine
- Pain when urinating
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Ongoing erectile dysfunction
- Trouble emptying your bladder
- Pain in your pelvis, sides, or back
- Bladder leakage
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Kidney blockage
- Kidney stones
Men and people AMAB might also see them for:
If you're an older male, you may want to start seeing a urologist for regular prostate checkups.
Women and people AFAB might also see a urologist if they have:
- Difficulty holding their pee after pregnancy
- Pelvic organ prolapse (when an organ like the uterus or bladder starts to drop or press into or out of the vagina)
Children might need to see a urologist if they have an abnormal urinary tract problem, such as bedwetting.
What Can I Expect During a Visit?
Before your first appointment, it's a good idea to research the urologist and write down questions to ask. These can help make sure this doctor is the right one for you. Questions you may want to ask include:
- Do you have experience treating my specific condition?
- Have you had recent experience performing the kind of surgery I might require?
- What other doctors or medical professionals will be involved in my medical care?
At your appointment, the urologist will also ask you questions about your medical history, medications you're taking, and your reasons for seeing a urologist (including your current symptoms). Be open about any issues you're having. This helps them come up with the right treatment plan for your condition.
You'll likely have a physical examination during the appointment. The doctor may also order tests, including blood tests, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, imaging tests such as a CT scan or ultrasound, or other urological tests to get more information about what may be causing your symptoms.
Afterward, they'll talk to you about the different treatment options available. These depend on your condition and may include surgery.
Urologist Procedures
Urologists can prescribe medicines and offer what's called "behavior training." For instance, if you have difficulty holding in your urine, exercises that strengthen your pelvic muscles may help you manage the issue.
Urologists can also do a range of procedures. Some of these they'll do in their office. Others are major surgeries done in a hospital.
A few common procedures include:
Cystoscopy. This is a close-up look at your bladder and urethra with a special telescope-like tool called a cystoscope.
Ureteroscopy. Similar to cystoscopy, it is used to look at your ureters and kidneys.
Prostate biopsy. The urologist removes a tiny tissue sample from your prostate to test for cancer in a lab.
Nephrectomy. This is surgery to remove a kidney to treat cancer.
Vasectomy. The urologist cuts the tubes that carry sperm to prevent pregnancy.
When Should You See a Urologist?
In some cases, your regular doctor may be able to treat mild urinary tract problems. But if your symptoms are severe or don't go away, you'll need to see a urologist.
Some of the signs include:
- Blood in your urine
- Loss of bladder control
- Pain when you pee
- Pain in your lower back, stomach, or groin (which can mean kidney stones)
- Trouble having or keeping an erection
- Enlarged prostate
- Cancers of the urinary tract
Make sure to check with your health insurer. Many health plans want you to get a referral from your primary care doctor to see a urologist.
Takeaways
Urologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract. They're also trained to treat conditions involving your reproductive organs and adrenal glands. Your regular doctor might refer you to a urologist if you have certain ongoing symptoms such as blood in your pee, pain when you pee, or loss of bladder control. A urologist can help you with a treatment plan based on your symptoms, which may include certain procedures or medications. Talk to your doctor if you have urinary tract issues.
Urologist FAQs
Why would a urologist do a cystoscopy?
Your urologist may suggest a cystoscopy if you have pain when you pee, urinary incontinence (or leaking pee), or are unable to pee. This procedure allows your urologist to diagnose and recommend treatment for your condition.
What does a urologist do for males?
Primary care doctors might refer men and people AMAB to a urologist for certain conditions, including erectile dysfunction , e nlarged prostate gland, prostate cancer , or t esticular cancer .
When should a woman see a urologist?
Women and people AFAB might see a urologist if they have difficulty holding their pee after pregnancy or p elvic organ prolapse (when an organ like the uterus or bladder starts to drop or press into or out of the vagina).