The difference between urology and men’s health

Unsure whether you need to book an appointment with a urologist or visit a men’s health clinic?

Don’t worry – you’re not alone.

Although “urology” and “men’s health” are two terms that are often used interchangeably, they’re not entirely the same.

Allow the team at OneWelbeck to explain the difference between the two so you can evaluate whether you need to see one of our experienced urologists or men’s health specialist consultants.

What does a urologist do?

Urologists (also known as urological surgeons) specialise in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract, reproductive systems, and adrenal glands.

They use the latest equipment and techniques, including lasers, robotics, and cryotherapy to treat disorders of the:

•  Kidneys – infections, stones, trauma, and tumours

•  Bladder – congenital disorders, incontinence, infections, stones, and tumours

• Urethra – strictures and trauma

• Prostate – difficulty passing urine, infections, obstructions, and tumours

What does a men’s health clinic do?

A men’s health clinic focuses on many aspects of a man’s health and well-being.

At OneWelbeck, we don’t just assess your symptoms and provide personalised screening at our speciality centre, our expert clinicians diagnose and treat a wide range of health concerns and conditions, too.

These include:

• Diabetes

• Fertility issues (i.e. erectile dysfunction or loss of libido)

• High cholesterol

• Kidney, thyroid, or bone problems (including kidney disease)

• Liver infections

• Prostate conditions, such as enlarged prostate or prostate cancer

What can a urologist do for a man?

As men get older, changes to the reproductive system can affect the urinary system and sexual health – leading to bladder issues and problems in the bedroom.

If you’re having problems with your urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, penis, testes, scrotum, or prostate, your usual doctor will likely refer you to a urology specialist.

Urological surgeons are experts in managing such issues and can help men improve their health and make their daily lives more fulfilling as they age.

As technology continues to evolve, urologists can evaluate and identify the underlying cause of conditions – not to mention provide the most innovative treatments for men.

If you have a family history of prostate, testicular, kidney, or any other urinary or reproductive cancer, a urological surgeon can perform an examination to determine your risk.

Male urology problems

Many conditions affect older men and some of the most common urological problems we treat at OneWelbeck include:

• Prostate cancer - Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among older men.Signs and symptoms include difficulty urinating, the strong urge to urinate frequently, blood in urine, or trouble getting or maintaining an erection. It’s advised that men who are 50-70 years old arrange a prostate cancer screening so our urologist can check for abnormalities. Men with a family history are screened even earlier, usually in their 40s. From surgery to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, the best prostate cancer treatment typically depends on the stage of the cancer and your unique circumstances, which will be assessed by your urologist.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) - Are you finding it difficult to urinate? Frequent or intermittent urination, trips to the bathroom throughout the night, or a burning sensation is common in ageing men, but it indicates an enlarged prostate. Usually, medication and/or lifestyle changes can help address the issues but, again, our specialists will advise you on the most suitable treatment option for your needs.

• Testicular changes - It’s natural for a man’s body to change as he gets older – but lumps or bumps on one or both testicles or a change in the shape or size of a testicle, are rarely normal. If left unchecked, testicular cancer can develop into malignant tumours which can lead to a wide range of health risks.  Regular self-checks are crucial to identify cancer early on and our urology experts can perform a testicular cancer screening to check for growths or lumps.

• Kidney stones - Kidney stones usually start small but can grow to an inch or larger. Our urologist will order a blood and urine test – plus a CT scan – to determine the size and location of the kidney stone. From here, we can recommend a suitable treatment option. Conservative treatment is ideal for smaller stones and involves drinking plenty of water to flush them out. Active treatment is best for larger stones that are unlikely to pass on their own and includes Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), Ureteroscopy, and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

• Erectile dysfunction - Erectile dysfunction (ED) and a decline in libido are fairly common when you enter your 40s – but it’s not a permanent fate. Our consultant urological and andrologist surgeons can discuss your concerns and address the underlying cause of the condition to help you achieve your desired level of sexual health. Treatment for this urological condition can vary from lifestyle changes and psychosexual counselling to oral medications or low-integrity shockwave therapy that helps increase blood flow to the penis.

• Urinary tract infections - Although UTIs are more common in women, they can affect men as they age too. For example, conditions that block the urinary tract, like kidney stones, increase the risk of bacteria reaching the bladder. Likewise, an enlarged prostate can make it difficult for a man to fully empty his bladder, increasing his risk of a UTI. Our urology specialists have vast experience in testing, diagnosing, and treating UTIs, usually with antibiotics, over-the-counter pain relief, and hydration.

What can a urologist do for a woman?

Much like they can for a man, a urologist can diagnose and treat conditions that affect a woman’s urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, and pelvic region.

Women should visit a urologist if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal or pelvic pain

• Blood in their urine

• Cloudy urine

• A strong urge to urinate frequently

• Pain or burning sensation when using the toilet

• Frequent urinary tract infections

• Urinary leakage

We’ll do everything we can to alleviate your symptoms, establish the root cause of the issue, and prevent it from recurring further down the line.

Female urology problems

The most common urology problems in women include:

• Urinary incontinence - Urinary incontinence typically affects women in their late 30s or older, leading to accidental or involuntary loss of urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercising. It can occur after pregnancy too, when the pelvic floor muscles which support the bladder have weakened or been stretched or torn during vaginal delivery. Our urological surgeon will ask about your symptoms and lifestyle to evaluate the type and cause of your incontinence and perform a physical pelvic examination. Other tests include the dipstick test, where a sample of your urine is tested for bacteria (so UTIs can be ruled out), and a residual urine test where a catheter is inserted into your bladder after you’ve provided a sample, to drain and measure the remaining urine. Urinary incontinence is generally treated through lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, and bladder training. Though rare, it can also be treated with medication or surgery.

• Overactive bladder - Suspect you have an overactive bladder? OAB is a condition characterised by a strong, pressing need to urinate frequently, which can be caused by various factors – ranging from nerve damage and bladder muscle problems to diabetes and menopause. A urologist can correctly diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of treatment for you – be it pelvic floor exercises, bladder training (gradually prolonging the time between urination), or controlling fluid consumption. In some cases, taking prescribed medications can help relax the bladder and reduce the frequency of urination, but a urological surgeon will advise if this is appropriate.

• Pelvic pain - If you’re experiencing pelvic or abdominal pain, a urologist can diagnose the cause of the pain and create a bespoke treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. To diagnose pelvic pain, your medical history will be reviewed (including any injuries) and you’ll be asked to describe your symptoms. At OneWelbeck, we screen for pelvic infection, provide an MRI and ultrasound scan, and carry out a physical examination and bladder examination (Cystoscopy ( a procedure that involves passing a thin tube with a camera and light through the urethra and into the bladder))

• Pelvic organ prolapse - Pelvic organ prolapse is another condition our female urologists diagnose and treat – mostly affecting women after pregnancy or going through menopause. This occurs when organs in the pelvis (e.g. the bladder, uterus, or rectum) drop from their normal position and bulge into the vaginal canal. It can cause a dragging sensation inside the vagina, discomfort during sex, backache, or constipation. Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse can be improved with lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises or physiotherapy, vaginal pessaries, or surgery.

• Urinary tract infection - Women are more likely to develop a urinary tract infection several times a year because they have a shorter urethra than men – making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. High oestrogen levels during pregnancy and low oestrogen levels post-menopause can also increase the risk of such infections, as can sexual activity and certain types of birth control. If left untreated, the condition can spread to the kidneys and cause permanent damage. Most women with a UTI experience cloudy urine (or signs of blood), often accompanied by a persistent urge to urinate and a burning sensation when urinating. Our urology specialist will carefully diagnose and determine the cause of the infection before offering a bespoke treatment plan.

• Cystitis - Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder lining caused by a bacterial infection. Women who are pregnant, sexually active, or post-menopausal are at the most risk of developing cystitis – as are those with bladder or kidney stones and weaker immune systems from diabetes, HIV, or cancer. While cystitis symptoms typically resolve without intervention, a urologist can identify the underlying issue by analysing a urine sample. In recurring or more serious cases, a urological surgeon may perform a bladder biopsy as part of a cystoscopy (a procedure that involves passing a thin tube with a camera and light through the urethra and into the bladder) to test for abnormalities.

• Kidney cancer - Kidney cancer can affect the female urinary tract. Kidney cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages, but as the tumour grows, you may notice blood in your urine (haematuria), pain in your side or back, or a lump in your abdomen or side. Other symptoms can include anaemia, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. If kidney cancer is suspected or you have a family history of this type of cancer, our urology team can perform a physical examination and use ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans to diagnose the condition. A biopsy can confirm if cancer cells are present, too.

• Bladder cancer - Our urologists are experts in bladder cancer care. Bladder cancer is where the cells in the bladder’s lining mutate and change, resulting in tumours. Signs and symptoms of this type of cancer include haematuria, frequent urination or feeling the need to urinate when your bladder isn’t full, a burning sensation during urination, and recurring bladder infections. To diagnose bladder cancer, our urologist analyses your urine sample for traces of blood and to rule out signs of infection. Blood tests are also helpful for checking the function of your kidneys and liver and we can perform a cystoscopy. Treatment of bladder cancer typically involves surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, drug therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Our qualified urologist will also outline recovery time and potential side effects.

Why choose OneWelbeck?

With 16 of the UK’s top urology consultants on our team, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a clinic with more knowledge and experience than us at OneWelbeck.

Our urology department covers a broad spectrum of men’s health concerns – ranging from erectile dysfunction to urological cancers – not to mention diagnosis and treatment for female urology problems.

Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our friendly reception team in our private and comfortable clinic, where you’re guaranteed to feel at ease.

Thanks to our state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, we offer exceptional accuracy and can provide same-day test results and follow-up appointments where necessary.

Our urology specialists will advise you on the best treatment to enhance your quality of life and provide a clear care plan tailored to your every need.

During your consultation, we’ll talk you through the procedure – so you know what to expect – and outline the associated costs. We’re always honest and transparent about our fees.

Whether you’re local to London, live elsewhere in the UK, or are considering a trip from further afield, our clinic is just a stone’s throw away from Harley Street, Bond Street, and Oxford Circus – making it easy to reach us.

So, why not get in touch and find out how our urologists can help you?

Either call 020 8015 1662 or email bookings.urology@onewelbeck.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.