Sometimes a patient will be referred to a urologist by another health care professional, as Valerie was. But often people go straight to a urologist for treatment. Your primary care doctor may be able to treat some minor urologic issues.
If needed, your GP or PCP can refer you to a urologist for specialized diagnosis and treatment. Urologists are specifically trained in penile, testicular, and genital health, so they can offer individualized information about treatment and prevention.
Physicians made a median salary of $206,500 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $208,000 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $112,210.
Best-Paid Doctors
- Cardiologists: $314,000.
- Anesthesiologists: $309,000.
- Urologists: $309,000.
- Gastroenterologists: $303,000.
- Oncologists: $295,000.
- Dermatologists: $283,000.
- Plastic surgeons: $270,000.
- Ophthalmologists: $270,000.
You'll fill out forms and answer questions about your health history, current symptoms, and any medicines you take. The urologist will do a physical exam that includes a genital and rectal exam. They may also order blood work or imaging tests, like a CT scan or ultrasound, for a closer look at your organs.
When a urologist performs a cystoscopy or a ureteroscopy to make a diagnosis, both procedures—including preparation—take 15 to 30 minutes. The time may be longer if the urologist removes a stone in the bladder or a ureter or if he or she performs a biopsy.
The doctor will perform a male genitourinary exam during your first appointment. That is a complete examination of the urinary tract region. The physician will perform a genital exam and a digital rectal exam to explore the prostate. The urologist may evaluate other areas as well.
Gynecologists treat women's health issues—pregnancy, period issues, fertility problems, menopause, and others. Urologists may treat UTIs, incontinence, cancer, and male infertility problems, among other conditions.
Urologists (also known as urological surgeons) treat problems of the female urinary system and the male genitourinary tract. They diagnose and treat disorders of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate and male reproductive organs.
Some of the common problems treated by a urogynecologist include urinary incontinence or leakage, pelvic organ prolapse (dropping of the vagina, uterus, cystocele, rectocele), and overactive bladder.
Diagnose a variety of disorders, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, kidney stones, liver disease, diabetes or pregnancy. Screen for infection, renal disease, and poorly controlled or undetected diabetes which might otherwise negatively affect an operation.
When you see a urologist they may perform a variety of urology procedures to diagnose and treat urologic conditions.
- Vasectomy. This is a common urology procedure that many men get.
- Vasectomy Reversal.
- Cystoscopy.
- Prostate Procedures.
- Ureteroscopy.
- Lithotripsy.
- Orchiopexy.
- Penile Plication.
The test requires a catheter to be placed in the urethra/bladder and rectum. These catheters measure pressures in the bladder and bowel. The bladder is then slowly filled with fluid in an attempt to replicate your bladder filling with urine. You may be asked to cough or strain and void/urinate during the study.
Here are some potential questions you may want to ask a urologist:
- What might be causing my symptoms?
- Can you tell me specifically what my diagnosis is?
- Do I need to be screened for prostate cancer?
- Why is my sexual drive lower than normal?
- Why do I feel the urge to urinate more frequently?
There are a variety of things that cause urinary incontinence, some of them being: diabetes, childbirth, weakened bladder muscles or sphincter muscles, spinal cord injury, certain diseases, and even severe constipation.
Men are encouraged to see a urologist for a checkup especially around the age of 50, although many are suggesting going sooner, around the age of 40. Going sooner rather than later is the key, especially if you are noticing certain health issues.
People often worry that a cystoscopy will be painful, but it does not usually hurt. Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel any pain during it. It can be a bit uncomfortable and you may feel like you need to pee during the procedure, but this will only last a few minutes.
When to See a UrologistAs we mentioned earlier, urologists deal with diseases and disorders of the male and female urinary tract. That includes the kidneys, but their expertise extends beyond just those organs. The scope of urology also includes the male reproductive parts: the testes, scrotum, prostate, and penis.
A urologist is specially trained to treat problems affecting the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra) and disorders of the male reproductive system. Urologic oncologist. This specialist diagnoses and treats cancers that affect the urinary tract and male reproductive organs.
What is the Highest Paid Doctor in the US?
| Specialty | Income |
|---|
| Emergency Medicine | $357K |
| Family Medicine | $234K |
| Gastroenterology | $419K |
| General Surgery | $364K |
Urologists were among the most likely physicians Medscape surveyed to report that they are "very" or "extremely" happy outside of work; 56% of urologists described themselves as such. Other physicians with high happiness scores included allergists, dermatologists, emergency medicine physicians, and ophthalmologists.
Average Urologist SalaryAccording to the 2020 Medscape Compensation Report, the average salary of a urologist in the United States is $417,000 per year. This number earns urologists the seventh spot on the top paid physician specialty list.
The road to becoming a urologist is lengthy. A four-year college degree is required before you can apply to medical school. The medical college admission test is also a requirement to get into medical school. There are mandatory clinical rotations, such as internal medicine and psychiatry, and elective rotations.
How competitive are the residency programs in this field? Urology is one of the most competitive residencies to match into. The national match rate was 64% in 2014 and no residency positions went unmatched.
Doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate program, along with four years in medical school and three to seven years in a residency program to learn the specialty they chose to pursue. In other words, it takes between 10 to 14 years to become a fully licensed doctor.
I found that Urology was a great combination of medicine and surgery. Now, for example, many of my patients are followed long-term, with medical interventions; with slightly more than half being surgical patients. I think urology gives a physician the best of both aspects of clinical treatment.
