what is an urologist

A urologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the urinary system in men, women, and children, as well as diseases that affect the male reproductive system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra, while the male reproductive system includes the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate. Urologists are trained to perform various surgeries in the urinary tract, including sling procedures to help with prolapse or urinary incontinence, removal of blockages, repairs to urinary organs, vasectomies, removing excess tissue from an enlarged prostate, and removal of the entire prostate. Some urologists might practice without doing surgery, but all urologists are trained as surgeons. Urologists can diagnose and treat many kinds of issues, and there are subspecialties in urology, including pediatric urology, urologic oncology, kidney transplantation, sexual medicine, male infertility, genitourinary reconstruction, and minimally invasive surgery. Urologists must pass an exam and earn board certification from the American Board of Urology.