Urology

What is urology?

Urology is the field of medicine that focuses on diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive tract. Some urologists treat general diseases of the urinary tract. Others specialize in a particular type of urology, such as:

• Female urology, which focuses on conditions of a woman’s reproductive and urinary tract
• Male infertility, focuses on problems that prevent a man from conceiving a baby with his partner
• Neurourology, focuses on urinary problems due to conditions of the nervous system
• Pediatric urology, which focuses on urinary problems in children
• Urologic oncology focuses on cancers of the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, prostate, and testicles.

What procedures do urologists perform?

When you visit a urologist, they’ll start by doing one or more of these tests to find out what condition you have:

• Imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI scan, or ultrasound, allow them to see inside your urinary tract.
• They can order a cystogram, which involves taking X-ray images of your bladder.
• Your urologist can perform a cystoscopy. This involves using a thin scope called a cystoscope to see the inside of your urethra and bladder.
• They can perform a post-void residual urine test to find out how fast urine leaves your body during urination. It also shows how much urine is left in your bladder after you urinate.

What are the education and training requirements?

You must earn a four-year college degree and then complete four years of medical school. Once you graduate from medical school, you must then go through four or five years of medical training at a hospital. During this program, which is called a residency, you work alongside experienced urologists and learn surgical skills.

Some urologists decide to do a year or two of additional training. This is called a fellowship. During this time, you gain skills in a specialty area. This can include urologic oncology or female urology.

At the end of their training, urologists must pass the specialty certification exam for urologists. The American Board of Urology certifies them upon successful completion of the exam.