When something feels off “down there,” it can be tempting to ignore it and hope it goes away. But for men, symptoms like trouble peeing, pain in the groin or blood in the urine can point to an issue that needs to be addressed by a urologist.
A urologist is a doctor who specializes in urinary tract health and male reproductive issues. Some problems are harmless or are easily treated. Others can be serious if left alone. Either way, it’s important to bring any of the following symptoms to the attention of a urologist:
- You have trouble peeing. One of the most common reasons men see a urologist is difficulty urinating. You might have a weak stream, are straining to go or need to pee more often, especially at night. These symptoms can be due to an enlarged prostate, which is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While BPH isn’t as serious as cancer, it can be annoying and can worsen over time if left untreated.
- There’s blood in your urine. Blood in the urine, even if it just happens once or there’s only a little bit, is never normal. It can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones or even bladder or kidney cancer. It’s best to get checked out as soon as possible to find the cause and make sure it’s not something serious.
- You’re having pain in your testicles or groin. Pain, swelling or lumps in the testicles should not be ignored. These symptoms could be a sign of an infection, injury or, in rare cases, testicular cancer. Urologists can check for problems and recommend the right treatment.
- You’re having trouble getting or keeping an erection. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more than just a bedroom issue. It can be a warning sign of problems with blood flow, which may be due to heart disease or diabetes. A urologist can figure out what’s going on and offer treatment options that work for you.
- There’s pain when you urinate. Burning or pain when you pee could mean you have an infection, a sexually transmitted disease or inflammation in your prostate (called prostatitis). These are treatable, but they need a proper diagnosis so treatment can begin.
- You have a family history of prostate cancer. If your father or brother had prostate cancer, your risk may be higher so you might need to start prostate screening earlier than other men. A urologist can help you develop a plan for screening for this disease based on your health history, age and other factors.
Many men delay going to the doctor, especially for problems they find embarrassing. But seeing a urologist makes it more likely you’ll catch a problem early, when it’s easiest to treat. It’s also the best way to identify or rule out more serious issues. If you have any of these symptoms, don’t wait for them to get worse. Instead, make an appointment to get checked out.
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