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Should I see a urologist or gynecologist?

While your gynecologist can treat certain conditions related to the urinary system, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), they may refer you to a urologist if you experience recurrent UTIs or have other symptoms that indicate something is affecting your urinary tract.

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For women experiencing health issues in the pelvic region, it may seem natural to seek help from an OB-GYN. But sometimes, a urologist is the better option for “down there” care. Obviously, a woman’s urologic and reproductive systems are close together in the body. And it’s not uncommon for people to see them as one network, needing the care of one doctor. But the reality is that these systems are quite different, regardless of their proximity. Indeed, problems in these regions often require different expertise to find the right diagnosis and treatment.

Different Specialties for Different Ailments

A urologist specializes in the urinary system — the bladder, kidneys, ureter and urethra. It’s a common misconception that urologists only treat healthcare issues in men. They treat women, too. They provide care for anything related to the urinary tract, such as incontinence, overactive bladder and hematuria (blood in the urine). A gynecologist specializes in the female reproductive system. They provide care for issues related to the reproductive organs, including menstrual cycle problems, fertility and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Because the urinary tract and female sex organs have a lot of overlap in the body, gynecologists and urologists often work collaboratively to address a patient’s needs. For example, if you’re experiencing pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence, these doctors may work together to treat both conditions.

15 Reasons to See a Gynecologist

Common symptoms that indicate you should see a gynecologist include:

Breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between menstrual cycles)

Increased vaginal discharge and/or color changes in discharge

Itching, swelling, or soreness in the vaginal area

Low libido

Lumps or sores in the vaginal area

Painful periods

Pain or discomfort during sex

Unusual vaginal odor

Common conditions gynecologists treat include:

Endometriosis

Menopause

Sexually transmitted infections

Uterine fibroids

Vaginal infections

Yeast infections

While your gynecologist can treat certain conditions related to the urinary system, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), they may refer you to a urologist if you experience recurrent UTIs or have other symptoms that indicate something is affecting your urinary tract.

13 Reasons to See a Urologist

Common symptoms that indicate you should see a urologist include:

Blood in urine

Burning or discomfort while urinating

Difficulty urinating

Frequent urination

Incontinence (accidental leakage of urine)

Pelvic pain

Common conditions urologists treat include:

Kidney stones

Hematuria

Incontinence

Overactive bladder

Neurological diseases of the bladder (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury)

Recurrent urinary tract infections

Talking about issues related to the reproductive and urinary systems can be uncomfortable for women, but it’s the first step toward getting the right treatment. Stress urinary incontinence, UTIs, pelvic pain, and prolapse are common conditions many women experience, and doctors who specialize in these issues are here to help. If you’re not sure if you should see a urologist or gynecologist, talk to your primary-care doctor. They can refer you to the right specialist to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.

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Is It Testicular Cancer?

If there is a suspicious lump, your doctor might run a painless ultrasound to get a better look for signs of cancer. They might do a blood test to see if there’s an indication of cancer. If the doctor thinks it may be cancerous, they may decide to do surgery to remove the testicle and check for cancer. If it is cancerous, they can determine what kind. Removing one testicle shouldn’t impact your sex life or your fertility, but having testicular cancer or its treatment could impact fertility. If you think you may want to have children, talk to your doctor about preserving sperm before treatment.

Here are some facts to know about testicular cancer:

It’s rare: Your chance of getting it is about 1 in 250.

It most often affects men ages 15 to 34: It’s the most common cancer in this group. It’s highly curable: The risk of dying from it is 1 in 5,000.

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