Three Signs You Should See a Urologist
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In some cases, changes in your urologic health can develop slowly, while other men and women experience acute symptoms that seem to appear almost overnight. In either case, it is important to report these changes to your doctor or urologist for a formal evaluation of your symptoms and to discuss what treatment options may be beneficial or even necessary for you. At Kasraeian Urology, Jacksonville, FL board-certified urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian are committed to helping men and women restore their urologic health, function, comfort, and more with a full range of comprehensive diagnostic strategies and treatment technologies. Keep reading to learn about three signs that may mean it's time to schedule an appointment with your urologist.
Who needs to go to a urologist?
For most men and women, particularly earlier in life, a primary care physician or OB/GYN (for women) can help to address general urologic health issues, such as an occasional urinary tract infection (UTI). However, there are many patients who should be seeing a urologist on an ongoing basis, like men who have reached the recommended age for prostate cancer screening, patients with chronic urologic conditions, and others. Oftentimes, your family practitioner or wellness provider can help to refer you to a urologist if or when it may be necessary.
When should I call a urologist?
Generally speaking, patients are encouraged to report any change or concern regarding their urologic health. Three of the most common signs and symptoms that often mean it's time to see a urologist are:
1. Blood in your urine
Seeing blood in the urine — formally known as gross hematuria — is a definite reason to call your urologist. There are several potential causes of blood in the urine, including kidney stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostatic conditions, bladder cancer, and others. In some cases, hematuria may clear on its own and not be associated with a more serious condition — though it should always be evaluated to be certain. Gross hematuria — meaning blood that is visible to the naked eye — can be obvious and bright red, or it can simply manifest as dark-colored or even brownish-colored urine. Additionally, hematuria can be microscopic — which is known as microhematuria — and is only detectable in a diagnostic study, like a urinalysis. If your primary care doctor detects microhematuria on your urinalysis, you may need to see a urologist for a more in-depth evaluation.
2. Irritative voiding symptoms
Collectively known as irritative or obstructive voiding symptoms, changes in your urinary habits or urinary stream can also be an indication of an underlying urologic condition that should be evaluated by a board-certified urologist. Urinary symptoms that should be reported to your urologist include:
- Frequent urination
- Nocturia (frequent need to urinate at night)
- Urgency
- Incontinence (leaking urine)
- Spraying or dribbling urinary stream
- Pushing or straining to void
- Pain with urination
- Burning with urination
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling urine
These urinary symptoms could be associated with a wide variety of conditions — both benign and potentially serious — like BPH, UTI, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney stones, and others.
3. Change in sexual function
Another reason to visit your urologist is experiencing a change in your sexual health, sexual function, or overall sexual wellness and satisfaction. Both men and women often notice changes in their sexual performance or experience as they get older, but sexual health issues can affect patients of virtually any age. If you have noticed any of the following sexual health problems (or another symptom not listed here), don't hesitate to call us:
- Difficulty with erections
- Erectile dysfunction
- Penile curvature
- Weak orgasms
- Diminished sex drive (low libido)
- Pain with intercourse
- Vaginal dryness
- Frequent UTIs after intercourse
Our caring team understands how closely sexual satisfaction and performance can be tied to a person's feeling of overall well-being, and we are here to help you understand your options for female or male sexual dysfunction treatments so that you can start feeling like yourself once again.
Don't ignore your intimate health; schedule a private consultation with our board-certified urologists in Jacksonville, FL
We understand that it can be difficult to discuss some of your most intimate symptoms and that many men and women simply put off medical evaluations due to their busy lifestyles. However, patients should understand the importance of monitoring and addressing their urologic health in order to safeguard their overall health and well-being. If you have questions about your urologic symptoms or simply want to establish a relationship with a urologist, don't hesitate to call Kasraeian Urology in Jacksonville, FL to schedule a discreet consultation with board-certified urologists Dr. Ahmad Kasraeian and Dr. Ali Kasraeian today.