Urologists treat various conditions that affect the male and female urinary tract. Whether you come to us with chronic bladder problems, infertility or male hormone problems, you can count on our providers for quality, compassionate care at Central Valley Doctors Health System Physician Group in Modesto.

What Is a Urologist?

Urologists specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases that affect the male and female urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra. They also treat male reproductive health conditions. Some urologists may focus on other subspecialties, such as:

Urologic oncology
Renal transplant
Male infertility
Calculi
Neurology
Pediatric urology

What Conditions Does a Urologist Treat?

As many as 40% of women in the United States suffer from an overactive bladder. The most common symptoms include having a sudden, strong urge to urinate many times during the day or waking to urinate more than once a night. Without treatment, symptoms can cause depression and skin problems or infection. Overactive bladder symptoms can be alleviated by limiting food and drinks that irritate the bladder, such as coffee, tea and alcohol. Many people report feeling better when they change how they eat and drink.

Affecting as many as 30 million men, erectile dysfunction occurs when a man cannot get or keep an erection during sexual intercourse. Although it's normal for men to have trouble getting an erection from time to time, progressive erectile dysfunction requires treatment. According to some studies, men with this condition are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke or circulatory problems in the legs.

The second-leading cause of cancer deaths for men in the US. Abnormal growth in the prostate is either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Prostate cancer can break away from a prostate tumor and travel through blood vessels or lymph nodes to other body parts. Symptoms of prostate cancer include painful ejaculation, frequent urinating and trouble urinating, pain, burning or weak urine flow.

This is the most common prostate problem for men older than 50. BPH occurs when the prostate gland is enlarged and presses against and pinches the urethra. The bladder wall thickens, weakens and eventually loses the ability to empty. BPH is not cancerous but causes many problems, such as urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney damage and bladder stones.

The most common urologic diseases or conditions include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder control problems and prostate problems, among others. Some urologic conditions last only a short time, while others may last for a lifetime.

Minimally invasive procedures to treat enlarged prostates

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition where the prostate gland enlarges and interferes with urination.

Rezum™ – Water vapor is injected into the prostate tissue, causing it to shrink and reduce pressure on the urethra, improving urine flow.
UroLift – Uses small implants to lift enlarged prostate tissue out of the way, preventing it from blocking the urethra.
Aquablation – Uses a high-pressure water jet to remove excess prostate tissue causing urinary symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Urology Problems?

The most common symptoms that may require a trip to a urologist's office include the following:

Pain when urinating
Incontinence or lack of voluntary control over urination
Bladder issues, like overactive bladder
Kidney stones
Problem with urine flow
Erectile dysfunction
Infertility
Male or female genital abnormalities
Prostatitis or enlarged prostate
Cancers in the kidneys, bladder, testicles, penis or prostate
Male hormone problems, such as low testosterone

What Types of Procedures Does a Urologist Perform?

Some of the tests and procedures urologists perform to help diagnose, manage and treat disease include:

Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy to look inside the urinary tract
Medical tests for prostate problems, such as a digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen blood test, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound, biopsy, and MRI and CT scans
Imaging of the urinary tract to create pictures of bones, organs and vessels inside the body, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI and CT scans, and radionuclide scans
Urodynamic testing to measure how well parts of the lower urinary tract work to store and release urine