Urology is a medical specialty responsible for the study of Organs structural organs that make up the urinary tract of men and women, in addition to caring for the male reproductive system. The area is also dedicated to the development and execution of procedures and techniques that allow the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect these two systems.
The urologist, therefore, takes care of several illnesses and alterations that affect people of both sexes and of different ages — whether accompanying inpatients, performing specific surgeries or attending in the office. With regard specifically to human health care, urology has an essential role in the execution of preventive exams for the early detection of diseases.
The importance of urology in men's health
The popular belief that the urologist is a professional who only takes care of male health, although mistaken, is justified by the anatomical characteristics of the male organs: in men, the urinary system is integrated with the reproductive system.
Because of this, the role of urology also includes the care of male reproductive organs.
Although the urologist can work in all segments that involve the area, there is a subspecialty of urology that is specifically dedicated to taking care of the male reproductive system: andrology. Andrology deals with human health in an interdisciplinary way, from adolescence to senescence. See more about the andrologist doctor.
Whether due to lack of information or prejudice, there are still few men who regularly consult with these professionals. According to a survey by the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), at least half of Brazilian men have never consulted a urologist.
What does a urologist do?
O papel do urologista e fundamental no diagn6stico, tratamento e prevenção de doenças do trato urinario e do sistema reprodutor masculine. A urologia e uma especialidade medica que abrange uma ampla gama de condições, desde infecções urinarias ate canceres urol6gicos, atendendo homens e mulheres de todas as idades. 0 urologista e o medico responsavel pelo tratamento de doenças que afetam os rins, ureteres, adrenais, bexiga, pr6stata, penis e testiculos. Entre as condições mais comuns tratadas par esses especialistas estao infecções urinarias, incontinencia urinaria, hiperplasia prostatica benigna (aumento benigno da pr6stata), disfunções sexuais, calculos renais e diversos tipos de cancer, coma os de pr6stata, bexiga, rins e testiculos.
Two of the most prevalent conditions in the field of urology are prostate-related problems, especially benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction, diseases that significantly impact men's quality of life. For this reason, many people mistakenly believe that urologists only treat men. However, women are also treated by urologists when they present with kidney stones, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and any other diseases affecting the urinary tract. If you have any symptoms related to the urinary system, or if you are a man and are experiencing any changes in the male reproductive system, schedule an appointment with one of our urologists.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A UROLOGIST?
A visit to the urologist is recommended for both men and women when there is any discomfort involving the urinary system and/or for monitoring of any pre-existing condition. In the case of men over 40, a visit to the urologist should be made annually for a digital rectal exam to prevent prostate cancer.
The following signs and symptoms may indicate that you need to see a urologist:
Lower back pain;
Testicular pain;
Urinary incontinence;
Presence of blood in the urine;
Difficulty or pain when urinating;
Nocturia (frequent urination during the night);
History of kidney stones;
Any other condition involving the urinary system.
The Importance of the Urologist in Healthcare
Human aging, however healthy, involves a series of events that can affect quality of life, especially those related to men's health: urinary stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, sexual and prostate dysfunctions, urinary incontinence, and some types of tumors related to the urinary tract. All these conditions are diagnosed, treated, and monitored by a urologist.
However, men hesitate to seek help due to fear, lack of knowledge, and even prejudice. There are still few men who consult with these professionals regularly.
VASECTOMY
Vasectomy is a surgery where the vas deferens (channels that carry sperm from the epididymis to the urethra for ejaculation) are cut. It is a simple procedure, minimally invasive and very effective as a contraceptive method. Studies conducted by Dr. Jorge Hallak describe that men who underwent vasectomy had increased sexual function, especially in sexual desire and satisfaction, and no case had erectile dysfunction.
Despite this, statistics show that many men shy away from vasectomy because they believe it leads to impotence and loss of masculinity.
Another fear concerns the surgical recovery of the vasectomy. As directed by the Urology Care Foundation, it is necessary to rest on the day of the procedure, and to minimize the discomfort, ice packs in the region. The use of analgesics is usually advised, but this will depend on each case.
If a man wants a pregnancy after a vasectomy, reversal surgery is quite effective. In this surgery, the vas deferens are reconnected, allowing sperm to be ejaculated into the semen again, allowing pregnancy by natural methods.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (ISTS)
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms transmitted through sexual contact, without the use of male or female condoms. In addition to acting directly in the diagnosis and treatment of STIs, the urologist provides advice on the best methods of preventing these infections and having a healthy sex life.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTI)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when microorganisms invade any part of the urinary system—this could be the urethra (urethritis), bladder (cystitis), or kidneys (pyelonephritis). This is a problem that can affect both men and women, although it is estimated that females are affected 10 to 20 times more often than males.
UTIs usually have characteristic symptoms that cause a lot of discomfort, including:
Burning when urinating (dysuria);
Urgency to urinate even after emptying the bladder;
Bloody urine (hematuria);
Pain in the pelvic or lumbar region;
General malaise;
High fever (when it develops into pyelonephritis).
At the first signs of these symptoms, the patient must go to the doctor to receive the correct diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, because when a UTI is not treated correctly, it can progress to pyelonephritis and seriously compromise the functioning of the kidneys.
PROSTATE CANCER
The prostate is a gland responsible for manufacturing the prostatic fluid released at the time of ejaculation along with the seminal fluid. Data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA) show that more than 68 thousand new cases of prostate cancer are identified per year, mainly affecting men over 50 years of age. This number corresponds to an estimated risk of 66.1 occurrences per 100,000 men in Brazil.
Prostate cancer can be diagnosed early through routine tests, thus increasing the chances of successful treatment. The main method used to investigate the presence of the disease is the famous digital rectal exam, where the doctor assesses the size, shape and texture of the prostate through the insertion of a properly protected and lubricated finger in the rectum.
Although simple, the touch test is much feared by most men, and it is estimated that less than 50% of them have done it at least once in their lifetime. As a result, most prostate cancers are identified at an advanced stage, drastically reducing the chances of a cure and leading the disease to occupy the second position among the tumors that most cause the death of male patients in Brazil.
Along with the touch test, measuring the level of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood can also help in screening for prostate cancer. The prostate produces this protein normally, however, when it has some dysfunction, it increases its production. But remember, PSA alone is not enough to diagnose cancer, the digital rectal exam must be performed together.
KIDNEY CALCULATIONS
Popularly known as kidney stones, kidney stones are characterized by the presence of hardened formations in the kidneys or urinary tract. These hardened formations are the result of the accumulation of small salt crystals. The presence of stones in any part of the urinary tract can cause intense pain that starts in the back and radiates to the abdomen and can also culminate in severe nausea.
Treatment can be medication in order to dilate the urinary tract so that the stone is expelled or surgical. Whatever the treatment, the responsible physician is always the urologist.
URINAL DYSFUNCTION
The term voiding dysfunction refers to problems that affect the functioning of the urinary bladder, such as difficulties in its storage or emptying. Urinary incontinence is one of the main examples of voiding dysfunction, and the causes of the problem need to be investigated to minimize the negative impacts on the patient's quality of life.
According to a survey by the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), one in every 25 people may suffer from voiding disorders throughout their lives. Among women, 40% of them may start to lose urine involuntarily after menopause, while 8% of men who have had their prostate removed may also have the change.
PENIS PROBLEMS
All types of dysfunctions and problems in the penis can also be monitored and treated by the specialist in urology. The most frequent are:
Premature ejaculation;
sexual impotence;
Phimosis;
Penile curvature.
There are several types of kidney stones, the most common being, as already mentioned, calcium stones (among them, the most frequent compound is calcium oxalate). In addition to these, there are uric acid stones, struvite stones (these are very much related to urinary tract infections), and more rarely cystine stones, which are generated by a genetic mutation.
Of all of them, there is only one type that can be "dissolved," uric acid stones. However, for this method to be effective, accurate diagnosis and rigorous follow-up are necessary, since there is a possibility of failure (as some stones have more than one component), as well as the possibility of calcium deposition, making dissolution ineffective. Therefore, this is not a common treatment option.
The risks of kidney stones include urinary tract infections, episodes of renal colic (which are usually unpredictable and present with intense pain), stone growth, and in advanced cases, loss of kidney function.
When kidney stones are small and painless (generally less than 5mm) and few in number, follow-up is possible without the need for removal. The situation changes if the stones are larger, multiple, or in both kidneys, with a history of urinary tract infection or pain, the presence of some type of associated kidney abnormality (such as having only one kidney, horseshoe kidney, or previous kidney surgery), or if the person with kidney stones has a high-risk profession, such as an aircraft pilot or diver, the ideal is to remove the stones through endoscopic surgery via the urinary tract (called endoscopic nephrolithotripsy), with the aid of a LASER.
To prevent new episodes of kidney stones, it is important to analyze the eliminated/removed stones (if available) and perform a complete metabolic evaluation to rule out alterations that may be leading to stone formation. If any alteration is present (such as excess calcium or uric acid in the urine, or lack of citrate), appropriate drug treatment is carried out. However, a measure that benefits all patients (and even those who have never had kidney stones) is to have an adequate water intake (ideally at least 2 liters per day, unless there is a medical restriction), as well as restricting foods high in sodium (especially processed and preserved foods) and daily intake of natural citrus juice such as lemon or orange.
If you have already passed kidney stones through urine or if you have kidney stones, schedule an appointment with our urologists for evaluation and treatment.
PENIS PROBLEMS
All types of dysfunctions and problems in the penis can also be monitored and treated by the specialist in urology. The most frequent are:
Premature ejaculation;
sexual impotence;
Phimosis;
Penile curvature.
Most cysts are asymptomatic and identified during routine examinations, however some cases are accompanied by abdominal pain, high blood pressure, or recurrent infections.
There are different types of kidney cysts, the most common being simple cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs, and the chance of malignancy is very low. These cysts are well evaluated by ultrasound and generally do not require other tests. However, there are also complex cysts, which may have thicker walls, septa, calcifications, or contain solid material. In these cases, it is necessary to complement the evaluation with some contrast-enhanced examination, such as Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
The management or treatment of renal cysts depends on their size, number, and associated symptoms. For small, asymptomatic cysts, regular monitoring is usually sufficient, while larger cysts that cause symptoms or complex cysts with a suspicious appearance for malignancy may require some intervention, which could include cyst drainage, sclerotherapy, or even surgery to remove the cyst.
If you have kidney cysts, schedule an appointment with our urologists for evaluation and appropriate treatment for your case.
PENIS PROBLEMS
All types of dysfunctions and problems in the penis can also be monitored and treated by the specialist in urology. The most frequent are:
Premature ejaculation;
sexual impotence;
Phimosis;
Penile curvature.
As with other surgical procedures, circumcision carries risks such as wound infection, edema, hematomas, and dehiscence (rupture of stitches).
After the recovery period (generally between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on the individual), it is possible to return to sexual activity. The surgery does not alter the sensitivity of the glans, therefore it does not interfere with the ability to feel pleasure after the procedure, and it is not a procedure that can treat ejaculation disorders (whether premature or delayed ejaculation).
If you are experiencing problems related to phimosis or are considering circumcision, schedule an appointment to be evaluated by one of our urologists.
