A urologist is a medical doctor specializing in conditions that affect the urinary tract in men, women and children, and diseases that affect the reproductive system. These conditions range from peeing too much or too little to being unable to father a child.

What is a urologist?

A urologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the urinary system. This system keeps the body clean by filtering out wastes and toxins and taking them out of the body. The urinary tract includes:

• Bladder.
• Kidneys.
• Ureters.
• Urethra.

A urologist also treats conditions involving the reproductive organs and the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. The reproductive systems of males and females are linked closely to their urinary systems.

What conditions do urologists treat?

Urologists treat common conditions and rarer illnesses that affect everyone and some that affect only men or only women. Some of these conditions include:

• Frequent urinary tract infections.
• Inability to control urination (urinary incontinence).
• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Conditions of the male reproductive system, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate).
• Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder).
• Cancers of the bladder, kidneys and prostate.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED).
• Kidney stones.
• Pelvic organ prolapse.

Reasons you might see a urologist

• Trouble urinating (peeing), including getting started or having a strong flow of urine, pain, cloudy urine or blood in the urine.
• Changes in urination, like frequent urination or feeling like you always have to go.
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection.
• Infertility.
• A feeling that something is falling down into your vagina or heaviness in that area.
• Pelvic pain.
• Urinating when you don’t want to, like at night or when you sneeze, laugh or exercise.