Whether your genitourinary problem needs to be addressed or you just want to be proactive about your genitourinary and prostate health, it is a good idea to visit a specialist – a urologist.
Like with many other things, it is important to know all about your genitourinary specialists before setting up an appointment.
So, if your appointment with a urologist is due in just a few hours or days, the following will give you a good idea of everything you need to know about your genitourinary system specialist.
Urologist: What Is It?
A urologist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating the conditions of your urinary system (of both men and women) and reproductive system (of men). The urinary system includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra, and the reproductive system consists of the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate.
Urologists know all about your genitourinary system (refers to both the urinary and reproductive systems) and treat all the conditions affecting it.
Education and Training
To become a urologist, one must get a bachelor’s degree and then pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to get into a medical school. In medical school, they study for four years to get a medical degree.
After graduating from medical school, urologists spend five to six years in a residency program in which they work alongside other urologists and hone their surgical skills. They also get training in medical treatment of urological problems and men’s reproductive system diseases.
To practice urology, urologists take and pass United State Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and must meet guidelines issued by the medical board.
After residency, if a urologist wants to specialize in a particular field, they’ll do fellowship training for another one to three years. They may specialize in:
· Women’s urology
· Children’s urology
· Male infertility
· Reconstructive urology
· Kidney stones
· Sexual health
After residency, some urologists choose to apply for board certification from the American Board of Urology.
Urologists: What Do They Do?
Urologists are experts at treating common urological conditions affecting both men and women, as well as some reproductive diseases that affect only men. These may include:
· Prostate cancer
· Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
· Cancer of the kidney, bladder, and prostate gland
· Peyronie’s disease
· Undescended testicles
· Varicoceles
· Kidney stones
· Kidney diseases
· Urinary tract infection (UTI)
· Interstitial cystitis
· Urinary incontinence
· Blood in the urine (hematuria)
· Overactive bladder
· Bladder prolapse
To treat these diseases, a urologist employs various minimally invasive surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Among many others, the common procedures that a urologist offers include:
Prostatectomy – removing all or a part of the prostate gland after cancer
Vasectomy – permanent birth control method for men
Vasectomy reversal – a procedure to reverse a vasectomy
Ureteroscopy – removing stones in the kidney or ureter using a scope
Cystoscopy – seeing inside of the urethra and bladder using a scope
In addition, your urologist may also offer surgical removal of sperm flow blockage and sperm retrieval procedures.
Urologist Near Me in Phoenix and Gilbert, AZ
For comprehensive, evidence-based, and customized care for your genitourinary condition, visit us at Ironwood Urology in Phoenix and Gilbert, AZ. Our urologist Dr. Desiderio Avila, Jr. has over 20 years of experience in treating various urological and men’s health problems. He has performed countless successful procedures using both traditional and minimally invasive techniques over the course of his career.
Book an appointment with Dr. Desi Avila today! Call us at (480) 961-2323, or fill out this secure appointment form.
