What Does a Urologist Do?

Your urinary system includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. A urologist is a surgeon who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions that affect these organs. Urologists also specialize in the male and female reproductive system, so they diagnose and treat conditions affecting the penis, scrotum, prostate, and testes as well as the vagina. Within the area of men's health, it is the urologist who performs vasectomies and vasectomy reversals.

When to See a Urologist

You want to schedule a consultation with a urologist if you have symptoms that may indicate kidney stones, kidney infection, bladder infection, or other urological conditions. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a urologist if you experience frequent urinary tract infections, changes in your urine or urination habits, or pain that is suspected to be related to your urinary system. Blood in your urine may be a warning sign of more seriuos problems with your kidney or bladder. You should see a urologist if you notice blood in your urine. You should schedule a thorough examination with a urologist if you are having fertility issues. Doing so can help identify if infertility may be related to a problem with the male reproductive system, such as poor sperm production or motility. If you are a man who is experiencing erectile dysfunction, a consultation and work-up with a urologist can help you understand the underlying cause and also how you can manage this condition.

What Does a Urologist Do for Females?

A urologist can help a woman manage her urinary system health by quickly treating conditions that affect her bladder, kidneys, and other structures. Reasons for a woman to see a urologist include painful urination, blood in the urine, urinary tract infection, kidney pain or other symptoms, accidental urine leakage, and other symptoms. Urinary symptoms can sometimes indicate an underlying problem like interstitial cystitis or bladder cancer. With prompt care, it is possible to successfully address whatever is causing symptoms and, in doing so, restore an optimal quality of life.

What to Expect at a Urologist Appointment

When you visit UT Urology in Chattanooga, you can expect our friendly staff to walk you through your check-in process. Your urologist's objective during your visit is to determine the cause of your symptoms and explore treatment options. The examination portion of your visit will revolve around your symptoms and the information you provide regarding your recent medical history. For example, if you are a man who is experiencing prostate issues, your doctor may examine your prostate via a digital rectal exam. If you are a woman experiencing stress urinary incontinence, your doctor will discuss your symptoms and may perform specific tests to determine urine loss under physical strain, such as coughing. After your comprehensive consultation and examination, and additional tests as needed, your doctor can discuss their findings and options that can help resolve your symptoms.

What Kind of Tests Do Urologists Do?

Urologists rely on several diagnostic tools to help reach accurate diagnoses. Your doctor may order one or more types of tests to fully understand the nature of your urologic condition. Examples of common tests ordered by urologists include:

Urine tests, including urinalysis and urine cultures.
Blood tests, including hormone levels and prostate-specific antigens.
Sperm sample tests to measure sperm quality, motility, and other factors related to fertility.
Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, and x-ray, each of which observes specific types of tissue in the urinary system.

If your urologist advises you to undergo any type of test, they will discuss their reasoning and what the test will help identify or rule out.