Urological surgeons diagnose and treat disorders and injuries affecting the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. They employ both nonsurgical and surgical methods to treat a wide variety of conditions from urinary obstructions to low testosterone (low-T), infertility, and prostate cancer.
Although your primary care doctor can help with mild urinary problems, you may need to see a urological surgeon if you have symptoms that don’t improve or if you have a condition requiring more specialized treatment. It is also best to have a designated urological surgeon if you have had prostate, urinary, or sexual issues in the past or in your family history, as you will want ongoing monitoring of the condition in order to stay healthy.
What Is a Urological Surgeon?
Urological surgeons, also known as urologists, are physicians who specialize in diseases, infections, and injuries affecting the urinary system. The urinary system includes kidneys, bladder, ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (the tube that removes urine from the bladder and out of the body).
These doctors also treat conditions affecting the male reproductive system. Everything from male infertility to erectile dysfunction (ED) to prostate issues are best treated by a urologist.
Reasons to Visit a Urologist
If you are experiencing any unusual or painful symptoms affecting the urinary system or male reproductive system, it is always best to have yourself checked by an experienced urological surgeon at the earliest opportunity in order to get the correct diagnosis and the most effective treatment. Many conditions are easily treated, but some will require further investigation.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek the expertise of a urological surgeon:
- A lump in the testicle or abdominal area
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Pain or a burning sensation during urination
- Difficulty urinating, or a weak or intermittent stream
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- The inability to fully empty the bladder
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain or stiffness in your pelvis, hips, groin, or lower back
- Pain during ejaculation
- Increased frequency of urination during the night (nocturia)
What Conditions Do Urological Surgeons Treat?
A urological surgeon can administer or prescribe treatment for many problems affecting the urinary and male reproductive system, including the following:
- Incontinence
- Overactive bladder
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Kidney stones or a blockage in the kidney
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Male infertility
- Low testosterone
- Peyronie’s disease
Urological surgeons can perform screening tests for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of male cancers, especially in men over the age of 65, but it often grows very slowly. Many men can have it for years without any symptoms, which is why it is so important to be screened. Many forms of prostate cancer can be treated successfully if detected early.
Urological Care in Phoenix, Arizona
If you are looking for high-quality patient-focused men’s healthcare, Ironwood Urology is here for you. Our board-certified urologist Dr. Desi Avila is skilled in both nonsurgical and surgical treatments for urological conditions in men, such as low testosterone, prostate cancer, Peyronie’s disease, erectile dysfunction, infertility, vasectomy, and vasectomy reversal.
For more information about the medical services we offer or to make an appointment with Dr. Avila, call us today at (480) 961-2323 or request an appointment via our online form. We look forward to being your healthcare partner.
