
Taking care of men’s urologic health with routine checkups
Men’s urologic health is essential to their overall well-being. This includes taking care of the urinary tract – the bladder, kidney, ureters and urethra – and the reproductive organs. Keeping these systems healthy helps prevent disease, betters overall health, and improves a man’s quality of life. Our North Austin urologists believe that maintaining a man’s urinary health starts with routine checkups focused on catching any issues early.
Keys to men’s urologic health
Urologists address many men’s health concerns, but there are several common conditions related to a man’s urinary health that we watch out for.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate
- Incontinence (leaking urine) or other problems with urination
- Kidney stones
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Low testosterone
- Sexually transmitted infections
Urologists also help with family planning and sexual health.
- Addressing male infertility
- Treating erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
- Performing vasectomies
When should men see a urologist?
Our North Austin urologists encourage men to prioritize their urologic health and make it a regular part of their preventative care. It’s especially important for men to see a urologist in certain cases.
- On an annual basis after the age of 40
- If he has a family history of prostate, testicular or kidney cancer
- For family planning, including assistance with having a baby or contraception
- Any time he has a concern or question about his urologic health
Routine check-ups help maintain a man’s urinary health
Annual exams by a urologist beginning at age 40 are a critical component of men’s urologic health. Routine exams allow for early detection of a man’s urinary health problems, which means treatment sooner and better outcomes. Also, these regular checkups can help improve a man’s quality of life by addressing concerns such as sexual problems or incontinence.
A routine visit to the urologist will include several evaluations.
- Physical examination, including prostate exam
- Urine tests
- Blood tests, including PSA and testosterone level evaluation
- Erectile dysfunction evaluation
Other testing may be recommended, based on age, medical history and overall health.
Your urologist may also identify other areas of concern beyond urologic problems that need to be addressed. For example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are often first identified by a man’s urologist.
As part of your men’s urologic health assessment, your urologist may make recommendations or referrals for other areas of concern, including health screenings, education and lifestyle changes.
A man’s urinary health can affect many areas of his health and quality of life. The best way to maintain men’s urologic health is to be proactive about regular preventive care. Contact our North Austin urologists to prioritize your health.