Frequently Asked Questions About Urology

Urology is a medical specialty focused on the medical and surgical treatment of the male and female urinary tracts, as well as the male reproductive system. The urinary tract includes all the organs that create, store, and remove urine from the body, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the small glands located on top of the kidneys, known as adrenal glands. The male reproductive system includes the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis.

Urologists complete four years of college and fours of medical school, a surgical internship and a minimum of four years of urology residency at a hospital. Some urologists become fellowship-trained after their residency, which requires another year or two of training in a urology specialty. Upon completion of their training, urologists may also become board-certified through the American Board of Urology.

Urologists are both physicians and surgeons who diagnose and treat men, women and children. Some urologists treat general diseases of the urinary tract, while others specialize in certain areas, such as female urology, male infertility, pediatric urology and urologic oncology.

Urologists provide both surgical and non-surgical care for a variety of conditions. Common in-office procedures include cystoscopy, vasectomy, and prostate biopsy. Many treatments use minimally invasive, robot-assisted, and laparoscopic surgery to promote faster recovery.

• Urinary incontinence
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Kidney stones
• Female voiding dysfunction
• Female pelvic organ prolapse
• Enlarged prostate
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Prostate, kidney and bladder cancer

Your primary care provider may refer you to a urologist, or you may choose to schedule an appointment with a urologist yourself if you notice changes in how you urinate or the appearance of your urine, or you are having male reproductive issues.

Common reasons to see a urologist include the following:

• Trouble starting a urine stream
• Weak urine stream
• Frequent urination
• Uncontrollable urges to urinate
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Leaking urine or poor bladder control
• Blood in your urine (hematuria)
• Cloudy urine
• Pain in your lower back or sides
• Testicular lumps or pain
• Pelvic pain
• Infertility
• Vasectomy
• Heaviness or feeling that something is falling down in your vagina

When you make an appointment with our board-certified urologists in Newport News and Williamsburg, VA, they will talk to you about your concerns, your medical history and any medications and supplements you are taking.

Your urologist will likely perform a physical exam, which can include a digital rectal exam for males and a pelvic exam for females. They may also order additional tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis, semen analysis, and an ultrasound or CT scan.