A urologist is the appropriate contact for anyone suffering from problems or diseases of the urinary system. Also for men who suffer from sexual problems, the urologist is the appropriate specialist on this subject.
What is a urologist?
The urologist is a specialist who deals primarily with diseases of the bladder, kidney, ureters, as well as the urethra. The urologist is a specialist who primarily deals with diseases of the bladder, kidney, ureters as well as urethra. In addition, his specialty also includes the detection and treatment of diseases of the male genitals, which include the penis, vas deferens, testicles and epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. Urologists who primarily deal with diseases of the male reproductive organs or male fertility are called andrologists. Anyone wishing to become a urologist must first complete a medical degree. This is followed by further training to become a specialist in urology, which takes five years and allows the doctor to call himself a urologist.
Treatments
A urologist covers a relatively wide range of treatments. For example, he performs preliminary examinations for cancers of the prostate or testicles. A urologist also checks the kidneys, bladder and ureteral system for possible malignant changes. In addition, the range of treatments offered by a urologist also includes examinations for diseases such as inflammation of the bladder, kidney or prostate. A sub-specialty of urology is pediatric urology, in which the urologist deals with typical problems of childhood and adolescence. These include, for example, undescended testicles, narrowing of the foreskin or long-term enuresis. If a urologist specializes in andrology, he primarily deals with hormone, fertility and erection problems in men, as well as with problems in the desire to have children. For example, the urologist knows about and treats premature ejaculation, fertility problems, erectile dysfunction and hormonally related diseases. However, a urologist is not only responsible for men, but also for women in case of problems with kidney and bladder. A urologist is also the right contact person for incontinence problems.
Diagnosis and examination methods
If a patient goes to a urologist for treatment, the methods used to make a diagnosis are primarily based on the patient’s symptoms. The urologist has a wide range of different methods at his disposal. For example, he can detect inflammatory parameters and tumor markers by means of a laboratory examination of the urine. Changes such as urinary or kidney stones also leave signs in the urine. A laboratory examination of the blood can be helpful for many diagnoses – for example, the blood count provides information about tumor markers, signs of inflammation or organ dysfunction. An important tool used by the urologist is ultrasound examination. With its help, he can look at the structures of the kidneys, bladders, testicles and penis and detect any abnormalities. Palpation is also one of the methods used by a urologist to detect changes in the uro-genital area. Especially when examining the prostate, palpation is essential. X-rays provide the urologist with information about possible kidney problems. In the case of fertility problems, the urologist performs a spermiogram in addition to a hormonal analysis of the blood. This means that he checks the composition of the ejaculate for sperm count, quantity, consistency and other parameters. The results of the examinations are then discussed in a detailed consultation with the urologist.
What should the patient pay attention to?
Anyone who wants or needs to see a urologist, as a statutory health insurance patient, requires a referral by the family doctor, who can usually also recommend a suitable colleague. In addition, the experiences of acquaintances can be helpful in finding out which urologist has a good reputation. Ultimately, however, it is essential to get to know the urologist and check whether a relationship of trust can be established between doctor and patient. For men who have problems with fertility or sexual disorders, it is recommended to see an andrologist who has his main area of expertise in this field.Some urologists also work directly with a fertility clinic. The equipment of the practice, for example, X-ray machine or possibility for spermiogram, differs depending on the focus of the urologist.