Specialists

Urology

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Urology

What is Urology?

Urology is a specialty that covers diseases of the kidneys, bladder and prostate and also manages incontinence, erectile dysfunction, infertility and cancer.

Urologists diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both men and women. They also diagnose and treat anything involving the reproductive tract in men.

Urologists treat a wide variety of conditions that affect the urinary system and male reproductive system.

In men, urologists treat:

cancers of the bladder, kidneys, penis, testicles, and adrenal and prostate glands
prostate gland enlargement or inflammation
erectile dysfunction
interstitial cystitis
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
varicoceles

In women, urologists treat:

bladder prolapse
cancers of the bladder, kidneys, and adrenal glands
interstitial cystitis
overactive bladder
UTIs
urinary incontinence

Symptoms and conditions

Literature on this site is for information purposes only, please do not use it to self-diagnose or any form of self-treatment. We recommend that you see a registered healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment plan.

Possible symptoms:

Sudden strong urge to pass urine, needing to urinate more frequently, waking up at night to pee, pain in lower tummy relieved once you pass urine, blood in urine
Pain in groin, tummy or back that comes and goes in waves, fever, feeling unwell, blood in urine
Pain in lower tummy or back, pain when urinating, difficulty in starting or stopping urination, blood in urine, feeling unwell, fever, pain on ejaculation.
Pain or burning sensation when urinating, needing to pass urine more frequently, foul smelling or darker urine, lower back or tummy pain, fevers,
Dull pain in testicles that comes and goes usually worse at the end of the day or when standing, swelling in testicles, visible enlarged veins in scrotum
Frequent urge to urinate, passing small amounts of urine frequently, leaking urine, waking frequently at night to pee.
Bulge from vagina, leaking urine, needing to pass urine frequently, heavy dragging feeling in the vagina, pain during intercourse

Related conditions:

Interstitial Cystitis
Kidney stones
Prostatitis
Urinary tract infection
Varicocele
Overactive bladder / incontinence
Bladder prolapse

Tests & investigations

Examples of tests done in Urology

Urine tests

This test is to screen for blood or infection in the urine. It is a simple test that requires you to provide a sample of urine.

Ultrasound scan

This is a non-invasive test using some gel on the skin and a scanning probe. This is used to examine any lumps in the testicles and assess the kidney, bladder and ureters (tubes that take the urine from the kidneys to the bladder) for any abnormalities including kidney stones.

Physical examination

This is to assess any lumps in the scrotum, rectal examination to assess the prostate, vaginal examination to assess prolapse and a general abdominal exam to check for any tenderness over the kidneys.

Cystoscopy

This is a procedure a doctor uses to look at the inside of the bladder and urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body). This is done with a cystoscope, a thin tube with a light and a lens or small video camera on the end. The tube is put in through your urethra.

Blood tests

Can be done to to check for infection, inflammation or prostate enlargement using a special marker called PSA (Prostate specific antigen)

Urodynamic testing

Urodynamic tests are used mainly to diagnose urinary incontinence. They measure the bladder’s ability to retain urine and also to release it without stopping and starting.

The tests measure:

Nerve and muscle function.
Pressure around and in the bladder.
Flow rates and other factors.

These tests allow the specialist to assess how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra are at storing and releasing urine.

What's involved?

Consultation Process

Symptom assessment

The consultant will ask you to describe your symptoms and concerns and take a medical history.

Physical examination

The consultant will carry out an appropriate physical examination.

Tests and investigations

The consultant will arrange appropriate tests and investigations such as blood tests and imaging.

Our Specialists

Mr Shwan Ahmed Consultant Urologist

Mr Ahmed is a Consultant Urological Surgeon based at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. He undertook his urological ...

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