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What is a urologist?

A urologist is a specialist doctor who investigates, diagnoses and treats diseases of the urinary tract in men and women, plus the male reproductive system. Sometimes they also perform surgery. Manchester urologists tend to work across several different medical settings including hospitals, private clinics, and dedicated urology centres. Disorders of the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and prostate gland are also included in their remit. 

Urology was the first surgical specialty to harness minimally invasive techniques like keyhole surgery. It’s also a pioneer in robot assisted surgery. A urologist will often use a cystoscope to closely look at the bladder and urethra, or a series of telescopic procedures using an endoscope, for instance removing tumours in the bladder or treating kidney stones. 

When to see a urologist?

You will probably be referred by your GP if they suspect you have a condition relating to your bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys, or adrenal glands. Males are often referred because of disorders of the epididymis, penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and the testes. Women are often referred thanks to post-pregnancy bladder weakness or pelvic organ prolapse. A child might be referred, for example, with abnormal urinary tract problems that can lead to bed-wetting. 

What conditions does a urologist treat?

What procedures can you find at a urology clinic in Manchester? 

  • Vasectomy (Male Sterilization)
  • PSA
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Female And Reconstructive Urology
  • Ureteroscopy
  • Green Light Laser Prostatectomy
  • Rigid & Flexible Ureterorenoscopy And Laser Fragmentation Of Stones
  • Bladder Instillation
  • Holmium Laser Enucleation Of The Prostate (HoLEP)
  • Micro-Surgical Sperm Retrieval (MESA)
  • Vasectomy Reversal
  • Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
  • Orchidectomy
  • Hydrocelectomy
  • Prostatectomy (TURP)
  • Transurethral Resection Of A Bladder Tumour (TURBT)
  • Robotic Pyeloplasty
  • Robotic Cystectomy
  • Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy
  • Prostate Biopsy
  • Blue Light Cystoscopy
  • Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
  • Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)
  • Orchiopexy For Undescended Testicle (UDT)
  • Video Consultation

What subspecialties are included in urology?  

Some urologists treat general diseases of the urinary tract, others specialise in things like female urology, male infertility, neurology, paediatric urology, and urologic oncology, focusing on cancers of the urinary system.

What should you expect at a urology clinic? 

After referral by your GP or family doctor the urologist will study your notes, take a full medical history, carry out a physical examination, ask questions and maybe order tests. You may need an imaging test, for example a CT scan, MRI scan or ultrasound scan. They may use a cystoscope, a probe with a camera at the end, to see inside you, and might take a sample for testing. Urine tests check for bacteria and disease and biopsies are used to check for cancers. They can use urodynamic testing to check the speed your urine leaves the body, and how much gets left behind. When all the investigations are complete and the data analysed, your urologist will recommend either medical management or surgery.