The Importance of Annual Urology Visits for Men
The Importance of Annual Urology Visits for Men
Waking up often at night to urinate is one of the most common concerns from new urologic patients. While it may be a minor annoyance, it could be a sign of an underlying issue that can worsen if ignored.
“Over time, the bladder can become dysfunctional and lose the ability to safely empty,” says Drew Durtschi, MD, a genitourinary medicine specialist at University of Utah Health. “With early intervention, we can help protect the function of the bladder by decreasing or removing blockages through medication or surgery.”
That’s where routine urology visits come in—helping catch problems early, before they begin to interfere with daily life.
What Does a Urologist Treat?
To understand why these visits matter, it helps to know what urologists do. Urology focuses on four main areas of the body:
- Prostate
- Reproductive organs
- Kidneys
- Bladder
According to the American Cancer Society, men should begin routine urologic visits between ages 40 and 50. Men with a have a higher risk of prostate cancer—such as those with a family history—should start at age 40, or earlier if you’re having symptoms.
What to Expect at an Annual Visit
For many men, uncertainly about the appointment itself can be a barrier. Fortunately, annual urology visits are straightforward.
Patients are advised to arrive with a full bladder. This allows providers to run a uroflow test to evaluate the strength of a stream, along with a bladder ultrasound to see how well the bladder empties. This quick test provides urologists with valuable insight into urinary health and function.
Symptoms to Discuss with Your Provider
Beyond testing, annual visits provide an opportunity to talk openly about symptoms—especially ones that may feel uncomfortable to bring up elsewhere.
Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urgency to urinate
- Waking up more frequently at night to empty the bladder
- Trouble starting urination
- Weak urine stream that starts and stops
- Trouble emptying bladder fully
- Difficulty getting or sustaining an erection
- Pain or burning sensation during urination, intercourse, or ejaculation
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Incontinence
Common findings that may result in a referral to urology:
- Blood in urine or semen
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Inability to urinate
- Pain, unusual cyst, or swelling in the testicular area
“While not necessarily emergencies, these would be important indications to be seen by a urologist,” Durtschi says.
Additional Specialized Care
Annual urology visits don’t just address symptoms—they also create a pathway to more specialized care when needed. Urologists are trained to treat a wide range of conditions affecting both urinary and reproductive health. Some of the most common areas they address include:
1. Enlarged Prostate
Frequent urination in men is often caused by an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition becomes more common with age.
Treatment options include:
- Medications such as alpha blockers (Tamsulosin/Flomax)
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Finasteride/Proscar)
- Office procedures like Urolift or Rezum
- Surgical options such as Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) or Holmium Enucleation of the Prostate (HOLEP)
2. Prostate Cancer Screening and Monitoring
Prostate cancer screening is a very important test for men as they age, but screening guidelines have evolved in recent years.
The American Urological Association recommends getting a PSA blood test every two to four years for men ages 50-69. Durtschi cautions that PSA blood tests must be interpreted carefully.
“Many factors besides cancer can raise PSA levels,” he says. “Because prostate cancer is a relatively slow-progressing cancer, our treatments can leave men incontinent, impotent, and sometimes requiring lifelong catheters. This is why it is important to balance the need for treatment and actively monitoring.”
At U of U Health, urologists monitor PSA trends, visualize tissue changes with MRI imaging, and have access to a newer urine DNA testing to detect cancer earlier.
“We are also lucky to work with the outstanding surgeons and radiation oncologists at the Huntsman Cancer Institute who help us treat prostate cancer when indicated,” Durtschi says. “With early intervention, prostate cancer is highly treatable and curable.”
3. Pelvic Floor Therapy
Some men experience urine leakage after surgery or pelvic injury, particularly when coughing, lifting, or bending. This condition, known as stress incontinence, can often be improved with pelvic floor therapy.
Pelvic floor physical therapists at U of U Health work with patients to strengthen these muscles through targeted exercises. In many cases, therapy significantly reduces or eliminates leakage.
4. Help With Infertility
Urologists can play a key role in evaluating male infertility. Male factors account for 20-35% of infertility cases and may involve issues with sperm development, maturation, or motility.
A male infertility evaluation typically includes a health history review, physical exam, and blood and semen testing. The Andrology Lab at U of U Health specializes in diagnosing and treating male infertility.
“Family planning is deeply personal, and we work hard to provide thoughtful, compassionate care,” Durtschi says.
Through preventive visits and specialized expertise, urologists help support men’s health at every stage of life—often catching problems early, when they’re easiest to manage.
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