Urology is a surgical specialty that focuses on disorders of the urinary system in men and women, as well as dysfunctions of the genital and reproductive systems in men.

In those early days, urology only concerned conditions of the urinary tract. It was in the XNUMXth century that andrology, with its two aspects of reproduction and sexuality, was added to the fields of action of urology.

There is also neuro-urology, which is devoted to neurological conditions of the urinary system (and in particular those of the bladder and its sphincters).

The urologist intervenes to treat many ailments. These include:

• theurinary incontinence ;
• the urinary tract infections ;
• urolithiasis (formation of stones in the kidneys);
• kidney, bladder, prostate or testicular cancer;
• inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis);
• hemospermia (presence of blood in semen);
• le erectile dysfunction ;
• male infertility;
• torsion of the testicle;
• or swelling of the testicles.

Some people are at greater risk for urinary system conditions or (male) infertility. Here are some recognized risk factors:

• concerning urinary tract infections: having too frequent sexual intercourse, suffering from prostatitis (in men), being pregnant, being diabetic, or even age;
• for urinary lithiasis: eating a diet that is too salty or lacking in calcium, or even having poor hydration;
• concerning male infertility: consuming tobacco³, or being overweight or obese.

The urologist is above all a surgeon. Note that today, around 40% of its activity concerns urological cancers.

To diagnose an abnormality of the urinary system or the male reproductive system, the urologist uses many techniques:

• he questions his patient;
• he performs a rigorous clinical examination;
• he can ask for an analysis of urine, semen;

• he may offer additional examinations.

Depending on the reason for the consultation, the urologist may have to perform:

• an ultrasound of the abdomen;
• endoscopy or laparoscopy;
• an ablation (of the testicle, the foreskin or a nephrectomy).

The consultation with a urologist does not involve any particular risks for the patient. If he performs a surgical act, there are risks: to anesthesia, during the operation, but also complications afterwards. The urologist will explain them to you precisely.

Urologist training in France

To become a urologist, you must follow the following path:

• 6 years of medical study;
• at the end of the 6th year, students take the national classifying tests to enter the boarding school. Depending on their classification, they will be able to choose their specialty and their place of practice;
• 5-year internship in general surgery which leads to the obtaining of a DES (diploma of specialized studies);
• 3 years to obtain a DESC (Diploma of Complementary Specialized Studies) in urological surgery. This is a so-called type II DESC.

Finally, to be able to practice and carry the title of doctor, the student must also defend a research thesis.

Urologist training in Quebec

To become a urologist, you must take a residency in urology:

• it lasts 5 years in all (2 years of surgical foundations and 3 years of specialization in urology);
• before that, the student must follow a doctorate of 1st cycle in medicine, which lasts 4 or 5 years.

Before going to the appointment with a urologist, it is important to take recent prescriptions and any examinations carried out.

To find a urologist:

• in Quebec, the website of the association of urologists of Quebec offers to find a directory of urologistsâ ?? ´;
• in France, via the website of the Ordre des médecinsâ ?? µ.