Urology is a medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Medical professionals who specialize in urology are called urologists. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra, while the male reproductive system includes the testes, prostate, and associated structures.

A urogynecologist is a gynecologist who has undergone fellowship training to specialize in treating women with a variety of pelvic floor disorders. Before the specialty was created, women with pelvic floor disorders typically had to visit multiple specialists who treated their pelvic support, urinary, and gastrointestinal problems separately. However pelvic floor components work together as a unit and not independently. Hence the urogynecologist provides integrated comprehensive care for bladder, bowel, and support problems of the pelvic floor.

You should see (or be referred to) a urogynecologist when you have problems of prolapse, and/or troublesome urinary or faecal incontinence or when your primary doctor recommends consultation. Other problems for which you or your doctor might think about consulting a urogynecologist include: problems with emptying the bladder or rectum, pelvic pain or bladder pain, fistulas, and the need for special expertise in vaginal surgery, in short, for any of the problems listed above.

Urologists treat a wide range of conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate issues, erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and cancers of the urinary and reproductive systems.

Diagnostic procedures in urology may include urine tests, blood tests, imaging studies (such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs), cystoscopy (using a thin tube with a camera to examine the bladder and urethra), and urodynamic testing for bladder function.

Prostate cancer is often diagnosed through a combination of a digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a biopsy. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and active surveillance, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer.

Treatment for urinary incontinence may include lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises), medications, and in some cases, surgical procedures. The specific treatment approach depends on the type and severity of incontinence.

Yes, non-surgical options for pelvic organ prolapse may include pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and the use of supportive devices (pessaries). However, in some cases, surgery may be recommended to address more severe prolapse.