What They Do
A urologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and surgically treating conditions affecting the urinary tract in both men and women, as well as the male reproductive system. Urology is one of the specialties that combines both medical and surgical treatment within a single field.
What They Treat
Urologists manage conditions such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, bladder conditions, and issues affecting the prostate. In men, they also treat conditions related to the reproductive system, including fertility-related concerns. Urologists perform a range of procedures, from minimally invasive techniques for kidney stones to more extensive surgery for conditions like bladder or prostate cancer.
Training Path
Becoming a urologist requires completing a medical degree, followed by dedicated residency training in urology, which combines both surgical training and medical management of urinary and related reproductive conditions. Some urologists pursue further fellowship training in a specific area, such as urologic oncology, pediatric urology, or male infertility.
When to See One
People commonly see a urologist for symptoms such as blood in the urine, difficulty or pain with urination, recurring urinary tract infections, or kidney stones. Men may also see a urologist for symptoms related to the prostate or for fertility-related evaluation.
Background
Urology is one of the older surgical specialties, with historical roots tracing back centuries to procedures for conditions like bladder stones. The field developed considerably as a modern medical specialty over the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly with the development of endoscopic instruments that allowed urologists to examine and treat the urinary tract from inside the body, considerably reducing the need for more invasive open surgery for many common conditions.