Sexual problems can feel confusing and stressful, especially when they do not go away. Many people wait too long to get help because they feel unsure about where to turn. A urologist focuses on sexual health issues that often link to the urinary and reproductive systems.
You should see a urologist for sexual issues when symptoms last more than a short time, affect daily life, or come with pain, urinary changes, or other physical signs. Erectile dysfunction, low desire, ejaculation problems, and discomfort during sex often point to medical causes that need proper care. These issues can affect men of all ages, not just older adults.
A urologist looks beyond the surface problem to find the cause. They check hormone levels, blood flow, nerve function, and related health conditions. Understanding when to seek this type of care can help prevent long-term problems and lead to more effective treatment.
Key Signs You Should See a Urologist for Sexual Issues
Sexual health problems often link to the urinary system, hormones, nerves, or blood flow. A urologist treats these issues with testing and targeted care that focuses on the penis, testes, prostate, and related organs.
Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) means trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. Sexual dysfunction also includes low desire, weak erections, or trouble with arousal. These problems often connect to blood vessel disease, nerve damage, low testosterone, or prostate issues.
ED that lasts more than a few weeks needs medical review. A urologist can check hormone levels, including testosterone, and screen for prostate problems using PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests when needed. ED may also signal heart disease or diabetes, which makes early care important.
Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicine, or hormone therapy. Care focuses on the cause, not just the symptom.
Persistent Pelvic or Genital Pain
Pelvic pain that lasts for weeks or months is not normal. Chronic pelvic pain may affect the penis, scrotum, testes, prostate, or lower abdomen. It often links to prostatitis, bladder problems, nerve irritation, or issues in the urinary tract.
Pain may worsen during sex, urination, or sitting. Some men also report pressure or burning in the pelvic area. A urologist evaluates the urinary system and prostate to rule out infection, inflammation, or structural problems.
Testing may include urine studies, imaging, or prostate exams. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve medicine, physical therapy, or other targeted care.
Male Infertility and Fertility Concerns
Male infertility plays a role in many fertility problems. Common causes include low sperm count, poor sperm movement, hormone imbalance, or blockages in the reproductive tract. Issues with the testes, prostate, or prior vasectomy can also affect fertility.
A urologist evaluates infertility with semen tests, blood work, and exams. Hormone testing may include testosterone and other key markers. Some men need imaging or genetic testing.
Treatment may involve medicine, surgery, or assisted fertility methods. Early testing helps identify problems that may also affect long-term sexual health.
Premature Ejaculation and Ejaculatory Disorders
Premature ejaculation occurs when ejaculation happens sooner than desired, often within minutes. Other ejaculatory disorders include delayed ejaculation, painful ejaculation, or little to no semen release. These issues may involve nerves, hormones, the prostate, or the bladder.
Stress can play a role, but physical causes matter. Prostate inflammation, low testosterone, and urinary tract problems can affect ejaculation. Urologists are trained to diagnose and treat these conditions, including premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, as explained in this guide on ejaculation and erection issues treated by a urologist.
Care may include medicine, behavioral therapy, or treatment for underlying prostate or urinary system problems.
Understanding the Urologist’s Role and Related Conditions
A urologist focuses on the urinary system and sexual health issues tied to the genitourinary system. Care often connects sexual symptoms with bladder, prostate, kidney, or urethral problems that affect daily life and long-term health.
How Urologists Diagnose and Treat Sexual Health Problems
A urologist is a medical doctor trained in urology who treats conditions of the urinary system and the male reproductive system. Sexual issues often link to prostate health, blood flow, nerve function, or hormone levels.
Common sexual concerns include erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, and infertility. These problems may relate to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, chronic pelvic pain, or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Treatment plans focus on the cause, not just symptoms. Options may include medication, pelvic floor therapy, hormone care, or surgery. Some urologists also perform genitourinary reconstruction for structural problems.
According to the Cleveland Clinic’s guide on what a urologist does and when to see one, urologists also manage bladder issues, kidney stones, and cancers that affect sexual function.
Differences Between Urologists and Other Specialists
Urologists differ from other doctors in both training and scope. They attend medical school, complete surgical residency, and may earn certification from the American Board of Urology.
A nephrologist treats medical kidney disease but does not perform surgery. Urologists handle surgical and non-surgical care of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra, and prostate.
Key differences include:
| Specialist | Focus |
|---|---|
| Urologist | Urinary and male reproductive systems |
| Nephrologist | Medical kidney disease only |
| Primary care | Initial symptoms and referrals |
Urologists also manage urologic oncology, pediatric urology, and conditions like interstitial cystitis or overactive bladder.
Evaluations, Tests, and What to Expect at Your Visit
During a visit, the urologist reviews symptoms such as frequent urination, weak stream, painful urination, or loss of bladder control. Sexual concerns receive the same careful review.
Common tests include:
- Urinalysis to check infection or blood
- Blood tests for hormone or kidney function
- Imaging like ultrasound or CT scan
- Physical exams of the prostate or pelvis
Testing helps identify causes such as urinary retention, bladder stones, kidney cancer, or prostate enlargement. Clear results guide treatment and help decide when to see a urologist again for follow-up care.
