Seeking a urologist is essential if you experience symptoms such as pain, bleeding, burning, and discomfort related to the urinary tract or genital organs. Moreover, it’s important to make this consultation routine. Find out when to visit a urologist.
Learning when to visit a urologist is very important for men to take care of their health, and consequently, have a better quality of life and longevity.
Health care is still a taboo among men. Much of this dilemma is related to visits to the urologist, the doctor who performs the rectal exam to diagnose prostate cancer.
It is necessary to leave this stigma behind. The lack of seeking medical assistance can make men more vulnerable to diseases and results in them living, on average, 7.1 years less than women, according to IBGE.
When should a man visit the urologist?
Men should visit the urologist at all stages of life, as care for the health of the urinary tract, reproductive system, and sexual health are fundamental for a full life.
According to the research A New Look at Men’s Health, 37% of men understand that the urologist is the specialist responsible for men’s health, but 59% of them do not usually visit this professional – which represents a neglect of their own health.
Visits to the urologist should become regular for adult men, especially those over 40 years old, in order to monitor health, receive guidance on sexual health and contraception, and detect diseases early.
At any age, if a man exhibits the following symptoms, it is urgent to seek medical help:
- Sores in the genital area: these may be a sign of STIs, such as herpes and syphilis, as well as infections and injuries.
- Penis curving: penile curvature may indicate the presence of fibrosis, which leads to Peyronie’s Disease and other deformities, such as size reduction and thinning of the member.
- Pain in the testicles: this pain may be a symptom of epididymitis, varicocele, testicular torsion, hernia, cysts, and tumor.
- Difficulty having or maintaining an erection: if the difficulty occurs in most attempts, it is a case of erectile dysfunction, which should have its cause investigated.
- Lack of libido: a drop in testosterone, chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, and psychological issues can affect sexual desire.
- Difficulty urinating: this symptom may be caused by benign conditions, such as prostate hyperplasia, by urinary infections, prostate inflammation, by taking certain medications, and even by some types of cancers.
- Blood in the urine: the presence of blood in the urine may indicate kidney stones, urinary infections, pelvic trauma, or prostate hyperplasia.
- Renal colic: the intense and sudden pain of renal colic is caused by the presence of kidney stones, which may require procedures to expel the stone.
When to visit the urologist for the first time?
The first consultation with the professional should take place in childhood or adolescence, to ensure that the development of the organs is within the expected range.
During this phase, it is very common for boys to have phimosis – which affects 1 to 3% of adolescents, according to the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU) – and the urologist can help by performing circumcision.
The doctor also treats congenital urogenital diseases, such as hydronephrosis, hypospadias, cryptorchidism and even young curvature, if noticed during puberty.
Moreover, the urologist can diagnose and treat hormonal imbalances that lead to early or delayed puberty.
He can also assist in cases of urinary infections, especially when they are frequent, and when there is urinary incontinence.
What does the urologist do during consultations?
During a consultation with a urologist, in addition to talking with the patient, the doctor will perform some procedures to assess the man’s health and, if necessary, request additional tests.
Besides knowing when to visit a urologist, you should know what to expect from the consultation and tests, which may be:
- Assessment of the genital organs
- Palpation of the penis
- Rectal exam (prostate)
- Erection induction test
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Computed tomography
Dr. Paulo Egydio speaks more about some of the common tests for men, especially those who exhibit symptoms of erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s and congenital curvature:
If the doctor identifies something unusual based on the analyses and reports from the patient, it will be possible to diagnose the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment for the condition, from medications to surgeries. Follow-up is also necessary to check if the treatment is effective for the case.
Whether for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, knowing when to visit a urologist and scheduling your consultation should be a habit to take care of men’s health.
Prioritize this visit to ensure a healthy life without complications, especially for the crucial moment. Contact us!
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