Urology is a field of medicine which deals specifically with diseases and disorders of the male and female urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Urologists treat a wide variety of medical conditions, so knowledge of internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics and other specialties by the urologist is vital. There are several urologic sub-specialties, including female urology, male infertility, neurourology and others.
Over 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year—this makes it the most common internal cancer among males. Prostate cancer is very common in men over 50 and is the second-leading cause of death among men in the U.S. When detected in the early stages, though, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common condition caused by the enlargement of the prostate. It affects over fifty percent of men over 50 and 90 percent of men older than 80.
Urologists treat and manage a wide range of conditions, including:
Urologists perform a wide range of medical procedures, but the most common procedures include:
You should consult a urologist if you have any of the following issues:
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If you have a urologic condition, you may be anxious about surgery and how it may affect bladder control. At St. John's Regional Medical Center, our surgery center uses the da Vinci® Surgical System whenever possible. It's a minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgery that allows your surgeon to operate with extreme precision and control. It's ideal for delicate urologic surgeries, such as robotic prostatectomies.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of bladder control. Anyone can experience urinary incontinence, but it becomes most common with age. Urinary incontinence in women can be caused by pregnancy and vaginal childbirth, genetic factors, obesity and other medical conditions.
There are several different types of incontinence, and your doctor will determine which type you have by reviewing your complete medical history, discussing your symptoms with you and performing some common tests.
If you're a male patient with a urologic condition you may be anxious about treatment. Some men worry about how their treatment may affect bladder control or sexual function. At Dignity Health, our team of urologists uses the latest technology available to treat the most common as well as complex urological conditions in men.
