Urologist-Andrologist: Their Role in Men’s Health
the field of urology is quite broad; it deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the urinary system.It differs from its “sister” discipline, nephrology, in its surgical focus. Urologists treat both women and men, but the majority of patients are still male. This statistic is primarily due to the anatomical structure of the male genitourinary system (the organs of the reproductive system are interconnected with the urinary system). Not long ago (over the past 50 years), another branch—andrology—split off from urology. It deals with the treatment of diseases of the reproductive system but does not involve surgery. Therefore, urologists very often undergo specialization in “Andrology.”
What does a urologist-andrologist do?
A doctor in this specialty has a very broad scope of practice. Among diseases of the urinary system, a urologist treats: inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and kidneys (pyelonephritis), urolithiasis, urethral strictures, phimosis , injuries to the urinary system. Diseases of the reproductive system include: prostate problems (prostatitis, adenoma), erectile dysfunction, diseases of the testicles and scrotum (orchitis, varicocele, hydrocele), endocrine disorders, and infertility. There is also a subspecialty of oncourology, which deals with the treatment of tumors of the urinary system.
Is any special preparation needed before seeing a urologist-andrologist?
All visits to the doctor can be divided into urgent (emergency) and scheduled appointments. The only preparation needed for an urgent visit is personal hygiene; if the visit is scheduled, it is advisable to refrain from sexual intercourse and masturbation.
The range of diagnostic procedures is very diverse. First and foremost, it depends on the previous diagnosis. The following are used: laboratory diagnostic methods, X-ray diagnostics, ultrasound examinations, magnetic resonance imaging, imaging methods (scopies), and biopsy of pathological material.
It is important for men to find “their” urologist-andrologist: http://kornyenko.com (just as women should see a gynecologist), because problems with the genitourinary system tend to increase with age. There is no need to feel “embarrassed” about your problems; they can worsen quickly, and the consequences can be quite serious. A preventive examination by a urologist should be conducted annually after age 45, and even earlier if problems are present.
