5 Important Questions to Ask Your Urologist

By: Mark Hockenberry, M.D.

If you’re planning your first urology visit in Greater Philadelphia, you have plenty of options, including the nearly 70 providers at MidLantic Urology and Keystone Urology. Every one of them wants to provide comfortable, effective care specifically for you.

Do you have the right questions?

Meet the providers at MidLantic Urology

A urologist is trained to treat a broad number of urology conditions, from a suspected prostate problem to a urinary tract infection to sexual function, and each health issue can present different symptoms. For instance, men and women are prone to different urinary disorders and might experience symptoms in varying ways.

And some signs of a disorder are not obvious at all.

The questions you ask your urologist can help both of you get to the bottom of your health issue faster. If you’re not sure where to begin, we suggest bringing the following five questions that every man and woman should ask a urologist.

Men: 5 Questions that Can Optimize Your Appointment Time

1. How often is “too much” when it comes to urinating? Generally, peeing is considered “too much” if you go more than eight times in 24 hours, wake up more than twice a night, or if it disrupts your daily life. Often, men experience this from an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As men age, their prostate tissue slowly expands and can squeeze the urethra, which runs through its center, tight enough to interfere with urinating. If your urine flow becomes difficult or changes, ask about it. Click here to download our BPH education booklet.
2. What can I do for good prostate health? Generally, you should get regular exercise, eat a diet rich in whole foods, avoid tobacco, and get a regular examination by a urologist. These practices won’t necessarily prevent BPH, but they can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, which can raise chances of BPH. These healthy habits also reduce the threat of prostate cancer, the risks of which increase sharply at age 50. Your doctor can provide blood screenings and health tips. Learn more about prostate health here.
3. How can I tell if my testosterone level is normal? Testosterone readings are performed through two separate blood tests, each taken before 10 a.m. Generally, a healthy testosterone level ranges from 450 to 600 nanograms per deciliter. Levels can be much higher in men in their teens and 20s – close to 1,000 – and if it dips below 300, it is considered low. Symptoms of low testosterone include a decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and impotence. Low-T is comma as we age, but it can be treated. Learn more about low testosterone here.
4. Is there anything I can do I prevent kidney stones? If you want to avoid becoming one of the 10% of people who develop kidney stones at some point, keep your body well hydrated with water (not sugary drinks and alcohol). Stones develop from chemicals in the urine that become concentrated and then bind when not flushed out, forming painful crystals. Other precautions include limiting salt and red meat while getting a good balance of calcium. Learn more about kidney stones here.
5. Should I self-examine my testicles and if so, how? Yes, you should self-check you testicles every month to detect abnormalities, especially if you are younger than 35. While testicular cancer is not common, it is highest among males in their teens to mid-30s. A self-exam involves cupping and rolling each testicle between your thumbs and fingers, feeling for lumps and changes in size, shape, or texture. Our blog on testicular cancer and self-examination provides details.

Women: 5 Questions that Can Optimize Your Appointment Time

1. What steps can I take to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Several behavioral steps can help prevent UTIs in women, including wiping front to back, drinking plenty of water to keep your urethra flushed, taking probiotics, urinating after sex, and favoring showers over long baths. As many as 50% women experience a UTI sometime in their lives. The telltale symptom is burning, painful urination. Learn more about habits to prevent UTIs here.
2. How many times should I urinate every day? How often you pee depends on factors such as how much you drink, what you eat, and the medications you take; but the rule of thumb is six or seven times a day. If you go more often, particularly overnight, you might have overactive bladder (OAB). UTIs, pelvic floor weakness, and interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) also can trigger frequent urination. Risk factors include childbirth, menopausal hormone changes, and nerve damage. Learn more about frequent urination here.
3. What shade of yellow should my urine be? Healthy urine is pale yellow, which indicates you are drinking enough water, but not too much. However, urine can run a deeper yellow and still be fine. The key is noticing significant changes in the color, because it can signal several health issues including kidney stones, dehydration, blood in your urine, or simply that you’ve eaten beets. Track the shade of your urine regularly to note long-term changes. Learn the facts about blood in the urine (hematuria) here.
4. In what ways does menopause affect my urinary system? Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and with it a decline in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone (which control menstruation). As a side effect, the tissues and muscles in the pelvic area, including the vaginal muscles, weaken. This can contribute to bladder control issues, urinary leakage (accidents), and vaginal dryness that makes intercourse painful. Watch our webinar, “Women’s Panel: Urinary and Sexual Wellness.”
5. Do I need to perform Kegel exercises? Regardless of your age, but especially if you’re approaching childbearing years, we advise that you do. Kegels are pelvic floor squeezing exercises that strengthen your core, which supports balance, improves posture, and holds pelvic organs in place. Childbirth and menopausal hormone changes can weaken a woman’s pelvic muscles, raising risks of incontinence and prolapse (organs slipping into the vaginal canal). A urologist can explain how to perform them. Learn about pelvic floor weakness here.

Don’t Forget the Most Important Question

Whether it is your first exam with a urologist or a repeat visit, prepared questions will help ensure a more time-effective appointment. And while you’re there, request a list of ongoing steps for maintaining good urinary and sexual health to ensure positive follow-up appointments.

And, importantly, ask when that next appointment should be.

If you’re experiencing changes in urination, difficulty having sex, or pain in your sides or groin, it might be time to ask a urologist about it. You can find a convenient location here. Learn more about the latest events and services at MidLantic Urology by checking out our newsletters.