When to Seek Urology Care: A Practical Guide for Different Life Stages
Let me guess – you think urologists only deal with old men and prostate problems, right? That’s what everyone thinks until they end up in my office at 2 AM with a kidney stone or their teenager has testicular pain that won’t go away.
The reality is way different. I see patients from 13 to 93, men and women, dealing with everything from birth defects to cancer to “I can’t stop peeing every five minutes.” Most people have no idea when they actually need urological care, which means they either panic over nothing or ignore serious symptoms for months.
So here’s the real deal on when you should consider seeing someone like me.
Teenagers: Yes, They Need Urologists Too
Parents get super uncomfortable about this, but teenagers have urological issues more often than anyone talks about.
Teenage boys run into several problems that need attention. Circumcision sometimes gets delayed until the teen years – maybe insurance issues, maybe medical reasons like recurring infections. It’s not weird, and it’s actually pretty straightforward at this age.
But here’s the big one: testicular pain. Any sudden, severe testicular pain is an emergency. Period. Testicular torsion means the testicle is twisting, cutting off its blood supply. You’ve got maybe 6 hours to save it before permanent damage happens. I’ve seen too many families try to “sleep it off” or wait until morning. Don’t.
Varicoceles – think varicose veins but in the scrotum – show up in about 15% of teen boys. Usually no big deal, but if it’s painful or you’re worried about future fertility, get it looked at.
Teenage girls deal with their own set of issues. Frequent UTIs, especially after becoming sexually active, sometimes point to anatomical problems that are totally fixable. If your daughter is getting UTIs more than a couple times a year, something’s probably going on.
Kidney stones don’t care how old you are. I’ve pulled plenty of stones out of teenage athletes who thought energy drinks counted as hydration. That severe back pain that comes and goes in waves? That’s a stone, and you need help now.
The Golden Years: Keeping Your Independence
Once you hit 50 and beyond, urological issues can really impact your quality of life, but the good news is almost everything is treatable now.
Men over 50 will probably deal with prostate enlargement (BPH) at some point. It’s not cancer, but it can make life miserable. Getting up 3-4 times a night to pee, weak stream, feeling like you never completely empty – these aren’t just “part of getting old.” We have great treatments now that can get you sleeping through the night again.
Prostate cancer screening starts at 50 for most men, earlier if you’re African American or have family history. The PSA blood test isn’t perfect, but it catches most cancers when they’re still curable.
Urinary incontinence doesn’t have to be your new normal. Whether you’re leaking when you laugh or having sudden urges you can’t control, we can usually help significantly.
Women over 50 deal with hormonal changes that affect everything. Post-menopausal estrogen loss makes UTIs more common, causes urgency and frequency, and can lead to incontinence. Topical estrogen treatments work great for this without the risks of systemic hormones.
Stress incontinence – leaking when you cough, sneeze, or exercise – affects about half of women over 50. Kegel exercises help, but sometimes you need physical therapy or minimally invasive procedures to really fix the problem.
Overactive bladder – that sudden, desperate urge that doesn’t always give you time to find a bathroom – responds well to medications and other treatments. You don’t have to map out every public restroom anymore.
Red Flags: When to Drop Everything and Get Help
Some symptoms can’t wait for a convenient appointment:
- Blood in your urine (even if it doesn’t hurt)
- Sudden, severe back or side pain
- Can’t urinate at all
- Fever with urinary symptoms
- Testicular pain or swelling
These need immediate attention, not a “let’s see how it goes” approach.
Stop Playing the Waiting Game
If symptoms are affecting your life – keeping you awake, making you avoid activities, causing pain, or just worrying you – it’s time to get help. If you’re googling urological symptoms or asking friends for advice, you probably need professional evaluation.
Most urological problems are way more treatable than people think, especially when caught early. The patients who do best are the ones who come in when symptoms first start, not after months of hoping things will improve on their own.
We’ve heard everything before. Our job is fixing problems, not being shocked by what you tell us. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from getting help that could dramatically improve your quality of life.
Having urological symptoms that concern you? Early treatment is usually simpler and more effective than waiting. Most problems are very manageable when addressed promptly.
