Many male patients are embarrassed to seek advice from specialists due to the sensitivity of the examination. At an appointment with a urologist, you can identify the main inflammatory diseases that threaten your health. How to prepare for the examination and why annual prostate checks are needed - read our article.

Subspecialists help to most accurately diagnose the cause of the patient’s anxiety. If you have problems with hormones, you should visit an andrologist or endocrinologist; women turn to a gynecologist, men - to a urologist.

However, you should not refer the specialist only to a male doctor. A urologist is a universal doctor who helps to identify and cope with urinary tract pathologies for men and women. When contacting a general practitioner, he will refer a patient with symptoms of pain in the penis, appendages and problems with urination to a urologist.

A special mention can be made of a pediatrician. There is a urologist for adults and for children. This division is due to physiological and anatomical differences in the structure of organisms.

The science of urology belongs to the category of surgical specializations. Therefore, you can receive emergency surgical care directly at an appointment with such a specialist. The urologist also performs some types of physiotherapeutic procedures directly during the examination.

Scheduled inspections

To maintain the health of the pelvic organs, it is recommended to undergo annual preventive examinations. Women without need and without visible symptoms of the disease do not need to visit a urologist.

In men, most diseases occur in a latent form. This is the first reason why you should visit a specialist regularly. Such a check will help detect the development of the disease at the initial stage and stop it.

What is included in the scheduled annual inspection:

• taking urine and blood tests;
• rectal examination of the prostate;
• additionally: checking the kidneys, bladder, lymph nodes.

Most urological diseases in the early stages do not manifest any visible symptoms, and very often the time for their timely treatment is missed. Therefore, we recommend that healthy men without complaints contact a urologist for an examination for the first time at the age of 14 and then annually.

According to indications

If a man or woman has previously been diagnosed with developmental pathologies of the urinary tract, then they will have to visit the urology office more often. To control the development of the disease and prolong the stage of remission of the disease, strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Indications for visiting a doctor:

• chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
• secondary manifestation of prostatitis in men;
• problems with urination of any form;
• neoplasms on the prostate gland, bladder, kidneys;
• cancer;
• congenital structural defects and developmental anomalies.

In this case, you will have to contact a urologist more often than once a year. It is recommended to undergo testing, including laboratory diagnostics, at least once every 3-4 months.

What complaints do people go to a urologist with?

If men need to undergo an examination of the genitourinary system by a urologist, then women more often turn to a gynecologist with such a problem. But there are complaints common to both boys and girls. In this case, you should not risk your health and urgently need to make an appointment.

The main complaints with which people seek advice and treatment from a urologist:

1. Suspicious in men. If a woman detects similar symptoms, she will seek help from a gynecologist. Discharge from the urethra can be either within normal limits or a sign of sexually transmitted diseases. They may be associated with inflammation in the excretory canal and prostate after hypothermia. It may also be a complication of any disease in other organs. The urologist will prescribe bacteriological culture, PCR tests and ultrasound of the prostate.
2. Itching and burning in the urethra. This is an almost universal symptom that can indicate the presence of many diseases. However, with periodic manifestations, one can suspect an allergic reaction to latex, lubricant, or a manifestation of prostatitis or infection. Only a doctor can determine the cause of the discomfort.
3. The appearance of pain syndrome. The pain can be felt in the groin area, in the testicles, on the head of the penis, around the anus, and even radiate to the lower back. There are many reasons for this pain: from yesterday’s cycling workout to the development of a benign or malignant tumor.
4. Problems with urination. Both women and men turn to a urologist regarding this issue. This sign indicates problems with the kidneys, a slowdown in metabolism, or age-related changes in the body. In men, this is how the initial stage of prostatitis manifests itself, which, if left untreated, can become chronic.
5. The presence of blood in urine or semen, as well as other impurities. This is a dangerous sign indicating the presence of an advanced inflammatory or infectious process. The appearance of pus or blood is a symptom of a chronic disease, benign hyperplasia of impressive size, or even cancer.
6. The appearance of rashes, sores, erosions or spots. In this case, the man should take care of genital hygiene and urgently contact a urologist to check for infection. Rashes, redness and the appearance of strange spots are signs of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
7. Development of erectile dysfunction. When libido decreases, men are often embarrassed to see a doctor. But in vain, because impotence develops rapidly and, if measures are not taken, becomes irreversible. In this case, the specialist looks for the cause of sluggish potency or its absence. The problem may also be deeper, associated with a violation of the hormonal system, diseases of the blood vessels, internal organs or the genitourinary system. Even psychological problems cause dysfunction.
8. Astheno-vegetative syndrome in men. With such a problem, you can also go for a urological examination. This syndrome is manifested by increased fatigue, decreased performance, irritability, psychological instability, sweating, tachycardia and general apathy.
9. Suspicion of the presence of a disease. You can ask the urologist any delicate questions that concern you: small penis size, lack of ejaculation, complaints of pain, or... Even if the pathology turns out to be far-fetched, it is worth checking your suspicions.

It is important to monitor your health, even if there are no open problems with the urinary organs. Sometimes, due to age-related changes, problems with potency and urination appear. In this case, the urologist will help you choose maintenance therapy.

List of urological diseases

Among the diseases of the excretory system there are exclusively male pathologies and general diseases. Universal ones include cystitis and urethritis, which also occur in women. Due to the anatomical differences in the structure of the genital organs, specific pathologies arise in men.

List of the most common urological diseases in men:

1. Erectile disfunction. These are problems with the hardness of the penis, when the area of ​​the cavernous penis of the penis is not filled with arterial blood to the extent to ensure a full erection. Most often, the disease appears in men over 45 years of age, smokers and patients with diabetes.
2. . Problems with the prostate gland are observed in 70% of older men on the planet. This can cause the glandular tissue to enlarge, interfering with normal urination and, in some cases, causing decreased fertility.
3. Phimosis. This is a narrowing of the foreskin. In boys under 3 years of age, the head is hidden behind the fold of the penis; it begins to emerge by the age of six. At the initial stage, the patient feels pain due to the inability to freely retract the foreskin. The latter will require surgery to free the head.
4. Balanoposthitis. This is an inflammatory process on the head of the genital organ. Suspicious rashes and ulcers appear on the mucous membrane and skin. The disease can be either a consequence of an untreated infection or a cause of the development of phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin).

This list can be continued for a long time. Developmental defects are less common; in some cases, priapism occurs - a prolonged erection. Often, diseases of the urinary organs become a consequence of drug treatment.

Common diseases that occur in men and women:

1. Enuresis. This is urinary incontinence, which can be partial or complete. It occurs in both sexes and can occur at any age. In women, it often occurs after childbirth and goes away without treatment after a few days. The cause in most cases is nervous tension or defects in the anatomical structure.
2. Cystitis. This is an inflammation of the bladder, which is manifested by a burning sensation in the urethra when urinating. In its acute form it can cause severe pain. This pathology especially often worries girls of preschool and primary school age.
3. . An inflammatory process occurring on the mucous membrane of the urinary tract. The symptoms are similar to cystitis, the treatment regimen is also practically the same.
4. Pyelonephritis. This is a bacterial disease caused by microorganisms entering the kidneys, which causes an inflammatory process. The danger of this disease is that the infection can spread through the urinary tract.

Do not self-medicate. Therapy is prescribed only based on the results of laboratory tests and depending on the identified pathogen. Antibacterial agents are selected depending on the sensitivity of microorganisms to drugs.

Independent experiments on the body can only worsen the situation. Remember that most urological diseases are sexually transmitted. It is recommended to use a condom during sexual intercourse to avoid infection.

Preparing for your appointment

An examination of a man or woman by a urologist usually takes no more than 15-20 minutes. During this time, the doctor will question the patient, examine the organs of the urinary system, and possibly perform an ultrasound.

General requirements before examination by a urologist:

• avoiding sexual intercourse 24 hours before visiting a urologist;
• refusal to take painkillers for an accurate diagnosis;
• refusal to pre-use antibacterial agents.

The use of analgesics may interfere with localization of pain. The doctor will not be able to make the correct diagnosis. For a similar reason, you cannot perform genital hygiene before examination using disinfectants (Chlorhexidine, Furacilin). The result of bacteriological culture in this case will be incorrect.

In some cases, a gynecological chair is used to examine women. Therefore, do not forget to bring a diaper with you for examination. The day before your visit to the doctor, you should avoid sexual intercourse to avoid extraneous lubricant secretions.

The man needs to cleanse his rectum so that the doctor can perform a digital examination of the prostate. Do not be scared or embarrassed by the erection that occurs during such an examination - this is normal. It's worse if an erection does not occur. A cleansing enema can be replaced by taking a laxative the day before.

How is an examination by a urologist performed?

Many patients are concerned about what they do at an appointment with a urologist. Many men avoid prostate testing because rectal palpation hurts their masculinity and degrades their dignity.

Examination of the prostate gland is purely a medical matter. More problems with embarrassment occur in adolescent patients. Some experts recommend taking a few drops of an herbal valerian-based sedative before a routine examination.

Nothing terrible happens in the urologist's office. The examination begins with a normal conversation. Answer the doctor's questions in detail, this will help with an accurate diagnosis. If there are chronic diseases, the doctor needs to know what medications the patient takes on a regular basis.

At the same time, the doctor studies your outpatient card, looks at tests, the results of which should be pasted into it. If the appointment is primary, the urologist will definitely prescribe, some of which can be taken directly in the office.

Men

Examination of men differs from palpation of internal organs of women. Follow the requests of the doctors; you can inform them in advance that the examination is primary.

How a man is received:

1. Palpation. The patient lies down on the couch, and the doctor manually examines the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and kidneys. Severely enlarged organs can be detected at this stage of palpation examination. The specialist also examines the condition of the internal and external genital organs. These are the scrotum, penis, prostate gland and inguinal lymph nodes.
2. Rectal examination of the prostate gland. Can be performed standing or in a knee-elbow position. The doctor inserts a finger into the rectal area to feel the condition of the prostate; in some cases, an ultrasound probe is used for this.
3. Collection of tests. If a bacterial infection is suspected, a urologist can take a general smear from the urethra, which will help identify the presence of microorganisms. A sample of the prostate is also taken during the examination, if necessary.

Examination of the prostate in men can cause pain only in the presence of acute prostatitis. In other cases, the procedure is painless. Put aside your embarrassment, since preserving your health is more important than your damaged male honor.

Women

In some cases, in the urologist’s office you may notice the presence of a gynecological chair. But in very rare cases, a specialist examines a woman’s genital organs. The appointment is a little different from a men's health check.

Stages of urological examination of women:

1. Conversation. The patient reports her problems, describes the symptoms that bother her. The doctor also examines the woman’s medical history and the presence of other diseases. You should tell your urologist about all suspicious manifestations of abnormalities in the urinary system.
2. Palpation. The doctor will ask you to lie down or conduct an examination in a standing position. Palpation of the pelvic organs occurs: bladder, kidneys. The condition of the lymph nodes is also examined.
3. Instrumental research. If necessary, the urologist uses modern diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, laboratory tests, instrumental and endoscopic methods.

In the same way as in men, urethral secretions are collected. The main difference is the lack of examination of the female genital organs and prostate gland, since women do not have a prostate. Instrumental diagnostics are carried out only in case of obvious manifestation of symptoms and medical suspicion of the presence of a pathogenic development of the disease.

Sometimes, at an appointment with a urologist, men become isolated and cannot talk about sensitive problems. One of the most common reasons for this is when a man is examined by a woman's urologist.

Even though medical issues are being resolved in the specialist’s office, the man is seized with panic. From a psychological point of view, the patient does not want to show his weaknesses.

Advice for a man if the urologist is a woman:

1. Think about your health. First of all, you did not come to flirt, get acquainted or start a family in the urology office, but to solve your problem.
2. The doctor saw something different. Remember that a urologist examines a huge number of patients every day, and in 20 minutes another shy man will see her.
3. Medical ethics. A doctor does not have the right to talk about small penis size and disseminate information about the presence of diseases.

Calm down and go into the doctor's office with confidence. If a urologist is a woman, this does not mean that she is a bad specialist. Trust her medical instincts, do not discriminate based on gender, and follow your doctor's instructions.

Knowing what a urologist checks for men, you can prepare both physically and psychologically in advance. Also at the appointment, the urologist may use additional instrumental diagnostic methods. The most common types are described in the table.

Additional urological procedures	Description and types
Endoscopic methods	A method that allows you to examine the urethra. Methods such as urethroscopy, fiber optics, cystoscopy, nephroscopy, pyeloscopy are used
Physical research	Methods that help to most accurately determine the condition of internal organs. These include ultrasound, plain radiography, excretory urography, infusion urography, retrograde ureteropyelography, antegrade pyeloureterography
Instrumental diagnostics	Method for diagnosing diseases of the urethra in men and women. Examination of the bladder using a catheter, bougienage of the urethra, puncture biopsy - removal of a piece of tissue for examination

The list of diagnostic methods does not end here. If it is impossible to examine part of the internal organs, surgery is prescribed. Surgery will help make a diagnosis and even become an emergency treatment method.

How to choose a specialist

The choice of a specialist depends not only on the availability of a urologist in a free clinic, but also on the financial situation of the patient. You can make an appointment at a private center to get faster lab test results.

Not all types of diagnostics can be performed free of charge at a local clinic. You can make an appointment with a local urologist, and additionally undergo a urinary tract examination at a medical center for a fee.

The cost of seeing a urologist will cost from 500 rubles, and testing will cost from 1,500 rubles. In the central regions of Russia, the cost of doctor’s services is even higher.

Finding a good doctor is not difficult; you can simply find information about a specialist on the Internet. Each private center has its own website, which describes the achievements of its employees, and there are pages with reviews.

Some tips to choose the best doctor:

1. Choose a specialized medical center. It is better if it is a urological clinic or a private medical office, in which every corner is collected for the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract diseases.
2. Research reviews. Ask a neighbor or friend for advice, find a page on the forum dedicated to seeing a specific specialist.
3. Estimate the percentage of recovered patients. The higher the effectiveness of treatment, the more responsible the urologist is in performing his work.
4. Novelty of the medical institution. With new equipment, the chance to accurately diagnose the presence of certain diseases increases.

Some men choose doctors only of the stronger sex, embarrassed by a female examination. Others prefer older, experienced professionals. The choice also depends on personal preference. The main thing is to take the first step by asking for help.

Video

How an examination by a urologist takes place - learn more from the video.

A urologist is often viewed as an exclusively male doctor who helps with a variety of diseases of the genitourinary system, ranging from sexually transmitted infections to tumors of the kidneys, prostate and bladder. Therefore, clinic administrators almost never have additional questions when scheduling a male patient for an appointment with a urologist.

Women traditionally, if they have any complaints in the pelvic area, turn to a gynecologist, who, if necessary, can organize a joint examination with a urological specialist.

Urologists, of course, do not pretend to examine and treat diseases of the vagina, cervix, uterus itself and its appendages. But there are specific diseases that they deal with, both in men and women.

Urological diseases in women include:

1. Acute and chronic cystitis.
2. Acute and chronic urethritis.
3. Pyelonephritis.
4. Neurogenic overactive bladder syndrome.
5. Urolithiasis disease.
6. Tumors of the urinary system.

An examination of a woman by a urologist bears the features of a gynecological and general therapeutic examination.

After collecting complaints and anamnesis, when the time of onset of symptoms is determined, their characteristics, especially the presence of pain in the projection of the kidneys and bladder and changes in urination, the urological examination itself begins:

Based on the totality of data obtained as a result of an examination by a urologist and an ultrasound scan with tests, a urological diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed. Moreover, when pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections are detected in the bladder in the urethra or bladder, the woman is no longer treated by a gynecologist, but by a urologist.

• The doctor examines the woman’s lumbar region and lower abdomen, taps and palpates these areas, and determines the presence of pain and visible changes.
• Next, the patient is placed on a couch or urological chair, where the urologist examines the external genitalia, the urethra, identifies visible changes (pathological discharge, papillomas, ulcers), palpates the urethra and bladder through the vagina and abdominal wall.
• At this time, the urologist can collect material from the urethra for PCR diagnostics of STIs, culture for flora and sensitivity to antibiotics.
• Sometimes it is necessary to perform urethro- and cystoscopy. That is, with a special device that looks like a tube, they enter the urethra and bladder and, using a video system, examine the mucous membrane of these organs. During the examination, suspicious tissue can be taken for examination.

A urological examination is only the first part of a woman’s examination conducted by a urologist. Next, an ultrasound examination of the kidneys, bladder, ureters and laboratory tests of urine, smears from the urethra and blood are performed.

Based on the totality of data obtained as a result of an examination by a urologist and an ultrasound scan with tests, a urological diagnosis is made and treatment is prescribed. Moreover, when pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections are detected in the bladder in the urethra or bladder, the woman is no longer treated by a gynecologist, but by a urologist.

Doctor of the clinic "Private Practice" dermatovenereologist, urologist Volokhov E.A. talks about visiting a urologist.

Here is a list of diseases that are within the competence of a urologist:

• All inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system - cystitis, urethritis.
• Urolithiasis disease.
• Injuries and neoplasms localized in the area of ​​the bladder and urinary tract.
• Pathologies and defects of the genital organs in men.
• Pathologies of the prostate gland.
• Diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands.
• Infertility.

The science of urology belongs to the category of surgical specializations. Therefore, you can receive emergency surgical care directly at an appointment with a urologist.

Preparing for your appointment

A urological appointment requires a little preparation, which varies slightly for women and men. In addition to a general visual examination and history taking, the doctor also performs other diagnostic procedures. We will tell you how an examination by a urologist goes a little lower, but for now we will focus your attention on the preparation that is required before an appointment with a urologist.

How should a woman prepare?

The same as when visiting a gynecologist. A gynecological chair is used to examine women. Therefore, do not forget to bring a diaper with you for examination. The day before your visit to the doctor, you should exclude sexual contact. You should not douche before examining a urologist. There is no need to perform genital hygiene using disinfectant solutions (furacilin, chlorhexidine). The doctor will need to take tests, and after using medicinal solutions, the indicators may be unreliable.

How to prepare for a man?

For men, in addition to the hygienic toilet of the genital organs, the following is required:

• Avoid sexual intercourse for 2 days before being examined.
• Cleansing enema. Cleaning the rectum is necessary so that the doctor can perform a digital examination of the prostate gland through the rectum. Do not be scared or embarrassed by the erection that occurs during such an examination - this is normal. It's worse if an erection does not occur. A cleansing enema can be replaced by taking a laxative the day before.

According to experts

It is best to do a urine test before your first visit to the urologist. This will make it easier to make the correct diagnosis. Moreover, you still have to take such an analysis.

It is also advisable to start keeping a symptom log a few days before the examination by a urologist:

• Write down how many times a day you urinate;
• in what area does the pain occur and how severe is it;
• what you ate and drank during the day;
• Try to trace the connection between diet and lifestyle and worsening or improving symptoms.

This will be very helpful when you discuss your problem with your doctor and ask him questions.

How is the first examination by a urologist?

As your appointment with your urologist progresses, you can expect a lengthy discussion about your symptoms.

The urologist may ask various questions, such as:

• How often do symptoms occur and when did they first appear?
• Do they bother you a lot?
• Do you ever have blood in your urine? If yes, how often?
• Have you had urinary tract disease in the past?
• Do you suffer from high blood pressure?
• Do your relatives have any diseases of the genitourinary system?
• Have you ever had episodes of urinary incontinence?

The doctor may also perform a digital examination of the prostate gland and a quick ultrasound scan of the bladder. Don't worry, this is not an invasive procedure.

It is important to know. Although a urologist will primarily ask questions about the condition of the genitourinary system, there is a chance that your urological problem is actually related to other systems of the body. Be prepared to give your urologist a complete list of all medications you take, including any prescription medications. It is advisable to make this list in advance.

After completing the examination, the doctor will discuss a treatment plan with you. This usually includes additional tests and tests that must be performed either at the time of the current visit or at subsequent visits.

Such studies may include:

• blood tests;
• testosterone level analysis;
• Ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, and prostate;
• cystoscopy;
• CT or MRI to evaluate the condition of the kidneys or pelvic organs;
• biopsy of the bladder or prostate gland.

Through these procedures, the specialist will be able to determine the correct course of action to be taken for your treatment. You should not prescribe folk remedies for prostatitis and other diseases without first consulting your urologist.

What to expect at your doctor's appointment? Step by step

1. First, the doctor talks with the patient. He asks how the person is feeling, what problems are bothering him. To get a more complete picture of the disease, the doctor asks leading questions and finds out how symptoms change depending on the situation. The urologist must also familiarize himself with the patient’s life history, that is, find out what and when the person was sick with. It is especially important for him to ask about the presence of genitourinary diseases in a person’s life.
2. Examination on the couch. The doctor will ask you to strip down to your underwear and lie on your back. This way he will be able to palpate the kidneys and adjacent organs.
3. An appointment with a urologist for men also includes examination and palpation of the external genitalia: penis, scrotum.
4. This is not painful at all and does not lead to unpleasant sensations if the tissues of these organs are not affected by pathology. Prostate examination.

It is carried out only through the rectum. To do this, the patient will need to take a knee-elbow position or squat, having first removed all clothing below the waist. The doctor will insert a gloved finger lubricated with glycerin into the patient's rectum and palpate his prostate. This is a rather unpleasant procedure, but pain occurs only if the prostate is inflamed. Examination of the prostate may be accompanied by an erection. There is nothing wrong with this, even if you are being examined by a woman’s urologist - such a reaction should normally occur during this manipulation, the doctor does not experience any personal feelings. Rather, on the contrary, when palpating the prostate gland, it is important for a doctor, no matter what gender, not only to assess the size, density and uniformity of the gland itself, but also to analyze the level of erection.

• What procedures can a urologist do during an appointment?
• takes a smear from the urethra (the woman needs to lie down on a gynecological chair for this)
• massages the prostate
• takes the secretion (“juice”) of the prostate for examination
• corrects paraphimosis
• catheterizes the bladder
• bougienates the urethra, that is, passes a metal probe through the urethra under local anesthesia
• removes small tumors on the external genitalia with an electrocoagulator
• produces shading of the seminal tubercle
• removes a foreign body from the urethra
• changes the indwelling urinary catheter
• inserts medications into the bladder through a catheter
• performs diaphanoscopy of the scrotum
• changes dressings and removes stitches after urological operations
• performs suturing of small wounds on the male genitals
• cuts adhesions on the foreskin
• prescribes and can independently perform ultrasound of the scrotum, ultrasound of the prostate, cystoscopy and other instrumental methods.

How to understand what you need to see a urologist?

There are two types of urinary tract infection:

• Lower urinary tract infections, which involve inflammation or irritation of the urethra and bladder.
• Upper urinary tract infections (this includes the kidneys and ureters).

An appointment with a urologist is necessary if the following symptoms of lower urinary tract infection appear::

• You feel slight discomfort in the abdomen, and urination becomes a problem.
• Pain or burning appears during urination.
• The urge to urinate has become more frequent, including at night.
• You are unable to control your urination.
• Periodically, there is a feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied.
• The urine began to smell very strong.
• The color of the urine changed, became cloudy, and blood appeared in it.
• You feel pain in your lower abdomen and unexplained fatigue.

What can a urologist find?

• Inflammation of the urethra – urethritis.
• Sexually transmitted infections: ureaplasmosis, candidiasis, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.
• Inflammatory processes affecting the foreskin and head of the penis (balanoposthitis), epididymis and testicles (orchiepididymitis), seminal vesicles (vesiculitis), prostate gland (prostatitis), bladder (cystitis), kidneys (pyelonephritis).

For timely diagnosis of genitourinary diseases, a man must undergo a preventive examination at least twice a year. In the early stages, all urological diseases are quickly and successfully treated and do not cause serious complications. If you are sexually active or over forty years old, visiting a urologist is a must. Put aside false modesty and prejudice: taking care of your men's health is a truly adult act.

Prevention of urological diseases

To avoid urological diseases, doctors recommend following simple rules:

• Underwear should fit you in size, be made from soft natural fabrics, and provide good air exchange.
• Eat right and exercise.
• Avoid casual sex. Use protective equipment.
• Don't sit on cold surfaces. Dress appropriately for the weather.
• Maintain personal hygiene.
• Get checked regularly by a specialist.

How to choose a good specialist?

In order to get an appointment with a urologist, you just need to make an appointment with him at the clinic’s reception desk. If another specialist recommends that a patient undergo a urological examination, he will prescribe additional tests for you. Many patients take them in paid laboratories in order to get results faster. Let's tell you a little medical secret. Any doctor, including a urologist, with whom you have to make an appointment, trusts the laboratory of the institution in which he works more. If you need any additional analysis using rare or expensive reagents, the urologist himself will advise you to sign up for tests in a private laboratory of a good level, in his opinion.

What if you don’t live in a metropolis, and you can’t find a urologist in your latitude? How to make an appointment, and most importantly, where to find a good specialist?

Finding a doctor these days is not difficult. The addresses of clinics and private medical institutions are easy to find on the Internet, and you can also make an appointment without leaving your home. But you want to get examined by a good doctor, and not the one whose phone number caught your eye first! Therefore, we will risk giving you some advice to guarantee high-quality and competent service.

• The easiest way to find a good urologist is in a large clinic that has a urology department.
• Insurance agents who provide individual health insurance can make an appointment with a high-class doctor. They usually know the doctors well, not only personally, but also receive feedback from patients who have already used urological services.

A urological examination is carried out to diagnose diseases of the urinary system and genital organs, as well as for prevention. Urology is a field of medicine that studies diseases of the urinary system, and in men, the genital organs, and develops methods for their treatment and prevention. The vulnerability of the excretory (excretory) system is explained by the complex structure of the kidneys, as well as the fact that it communicates with the external environment through the external genitalia. A urologist treats inflammation, infections, tissue injuries, cancer of the urinary system, etc. The diagnosis is made based on urine analysis and the results of various methods of examining the patient.

Analysis of urine

Urine collection for urological examinations can be done in different ways. Most often, the patient collects urine in a glass container, from which it is then poured into a small test tube and examined. An analysis of the chemical composition of urine is usually done. In order to detect pathogens or pathological cells, the doctor prescribes a bacteriological urine test. However, when collecting urine for this study (culture for sterility), some requirements must be met: the external genitalia should be washed with boiled water, because the presence of antiseptic solutions in the urine may give false negative results. For bacteriological examination, urine from the middle portion is collected in a sterile container.

If you suspect a disease of the prostate gland, some diseases of the bladder, as well as transverse paralysis, the doctor must determine the so-called residual amount of urine: normally, during urination, the bladder is completely emptied, while in some diseases there is always some amount of urine left in it. To determine the residual amount of urine, scintigraphy or bladder catheterization is used.

Endoscopic diagnostic methods

Typically, your doctor will examine your ureters, bladder, and urethra using a cystoscope. The cystoscope consists of a metal cylinder surrounding the telescope, lighting and optical systems, and an irrigation device. During the procedure, it is inserted into the urethra. Various instruments can be inserted into the metal cylinder to perform microsurgical operations. Using these instruments, the surgeon can perform a biopsy, remove stones from the kidneys or bladder, and cauterize small bleeding wounds.

The urethra is an elastic tube that starts from the bladder and ends at the external opening. It is shorter in women than in men, which is why women suffer from urethral infections 20 times more often than men.

X-ray urological examination

Endoscopic examinations and catheterization are carried out only if certain diseases are suspected, because these procedures are unpleasant and very painful. Therefore, in urology, X-ray examinations of the kidneys and bladder are more often used. During an x-ray examination, the patient is given a small amount of radiopaque contrast agent intravenously and x-rays are taken. From the images, the doctor can determine the following:

• The time it takes for the contrast agent to reach the kidneys from the blood allows us to evaluate their function.
• Based on the distribution of contrast in the kidneys, the doctor can determine whether there are pockets of inflammation, stones, or any other abnormalities in the kidneys.
• In addition, the ureters and bladder are clearly visible on the images. Scintigraphy and radiological studies, during which substances with slight radioactivity are used, make it possible to assess the condition of the kidneys and urinary tract even more accurately.
• Usually radioactive substances are administered intravenously. The patient is placed on a special table, above which there is a detector. This device detects the slightest radiation. The information received is processed by a computer, which transmits an image of the distribution of the radioactive substance in the kidneys and urinary tract.

An apparatus for ultrasound urological examination (echoscope) is indispensable for a urologist. Its use allows for a quick examination of the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder.

Examinations by a urologist are not pleasant; moreover, they are painful. However, diseases of the kidneys and other organs of the urinary system can be accompanied by severe pain and be deadly. Therefore, when the first symptoms of diseases of the urinary system occur, for example, pain, burning, frequent urge to urinate, you must immediately contact a urologist.