Filter Blogs By
When Should I See a Urologist?
Depending upon your age, it’s likely that you’ve never seen a urologist– or had reason to. Most people thing that urologists provide care for geriatric patients and don’t give it a second thought when they experience symptoms in which a urologist specializes. Partnering with a urologist can be a great benefit to your health, so it’s important to understand when it’s appropriate to see a urologist rather than your general physician. Here are some things to know about urologists and how they can help.
What is a Urologist?
A urologist is a physician who specializes in the male and female urinary tract as well as the male reproductive system. Typically, besides graduating from medical school, urologists go through an extensive residency program within their field for several years, learning both surgical and advanced techniques to treat urological and reproductive diseases.
In addition to treating the urinary tract, urologists operate on the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, urethra, and testes, and are often the primary doctor for patients with prostate disease as well as kidney stones. Although it’s common to see a urologist for more severe conditions, you can also see them for more mild symptoms as well.
Some urologists specialize in urological surgery, while others provide initial care. Some urologists even specialize in care for either men or women.
What should I expect during an appointment?
When visiting a urologist, you’ll likely need to produce a urine sample to be analyzed. Your urologist will also perform a thorough physical exam, concentrating on the lower regions of your body. You’ll then discuss your medical history and any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
Depending on your treatment plan, your urologist can order specific tests such as imaging sonography of your kidneys, prostate, or bladder; schedule you for a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test, as well as schedule you for an in-patient cystoscopy (where a tiny camera lens is inserted into the urethra).
You might also receive prescriptions for medications or discuss your candidacy for certain surgeries, depending on your needs. In short, your urologist can provide many different types of care, so it can be valuable to establish a good relationship.
When should I see a Urologist?
Although your regular physician can direct you to a urologist for more substantial concerns, you should report the following symptoms to a urologist for specialized care:
- You have blood in your urine.
- You have a persistent burning or pain when urinating
- You feel like you need to urinate but can’t
- You experience a very frequent need to urinate
- You begin to become frequently incontinent
- You have frequent urinary tract Infections
- You have severe constipation
- You think you may have a kidney stone
- You think you have an enlarged prostate
- You have a hernia problem
- You’ve been experiencing erectile dysfunction
- You’re interested in long-term birth control
Surprisingly, a urologist can address many of these things with specialized care. Since many of these symptoms deal with everyday functions, so it’s important to address them as soon as possible!
Seeing a Urologist in New York
In the New York Area, Dr. Jon Lazare Lazare Urology a board-certified Urologist from MIT is the go-to urologist in Brooklyn and the New York area for many patients. Dr. Lazare offers comprehensive treatment for many different concerns and can recommend the best steps in your customized treatment plan. To schedule an appointment, contact our New York City office by calling or filling out our online form.