A doctor who specializes in male private parts is called a urologist. Urologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the male reproductive system, including the penis, testicles, and prostate, as well as the urinary system in both men and women. If you have a more specific concern like infertility or sexual dysfunction, you may be referred to an andrologist, a urologist with extra training focused entirely on male reproductive and sexual health.
What a Urologist Does
A urologist is both a physician and a surgeon who handles everything related to the urinary tract (kidneys, bladder, and the tubes connecting them) and the male reproductive organs. Because these two systems are so closely linked in men, the field is sometimes called “genitourinary” medicine. Urologists treat patients of all ages and genders for urinary problems, but they are the go-to specialists for male-specific concerns like testicular pain, erectile dysfunction, prostate issues, and penile conditions.
Becoming a urologist requires significant training. After medical school, urologists complete a minimum of five years of postgraduate surgical and urology training, including at least 48 months dedicated specifically to urology, before earning board certification from the American Board of Urology.
Urologist vs. Andrologist
You’ll sometimes see the term “andrologist” used for a male reproductive health specialist. Andrology is a subspecialty within urology. Every andrologist is a urologist, but not every urologist is an andrologist. The key difference is focus: urologists treat the full range of urinary and reproductive conditions, while andrologists receive exclusive additional training in male fertility problems, hormonal imbalances, and sexual health disorders.
If your concern is something like low sperm count, hormonal deficiency, or persistent sexual dysfunction that hasn’t responded to initial treatment, an andrologist is the more targeted choice. For broader issues like kidney stones, bladder problems, or a routine prostate check, a general urologist covers everything you need.
Common Conditions They Treat
Urologists handle a wide range of male health issues. Some of the most common include:
- Enlarged prostate (BPH): A non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland that can make urination difficult, especially in men over 50.
- Erectile dysfunction: Trouble getting or maintaining an erection, which can stem from blood flow issues, nerve damage, hormonal problems, or psychological factors.
- Testicular cancer: Most common in younger men, typically presenting as a painless lump or change in size or texture of a testicle.
- Peyronie’s disease: A buildup of scar tissue inside the penis that causes curved or painful erections.
- Kidney stones: Hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract.
- Male infertility: Problems with sperm production, hormone levels, or the reproductive anatomy that make conception difficult.
For infertility specifically, a urologist or andrologist will typically start with a semen analysis and may order blood tests to check testosterone and other hormone levels. Some causes of male infertility can be reversed with medication or surgery, while others can be identified but require assisted reproduction techniques.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A urological visit usually starts like any other doctor’s appointment: a review of your medical history, your symptoms, and any medications you’re taking. Depending on your reason for visiting, the physical exam may include checking the testicles for lumps, swelling, or tenderness.
If you’re there for a prostate concern, the urologist may perform a digital rectal exam. During this exam, the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the surface of the prostate gland. This allows them to check for lumps or abnormalities, particularly on the back portion of the gland where many cancers develop. The exam takes only a few seconds and, while uncomfortable, is not typically painful.
You may also have blood drawn for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, provide a urine sample, or be scheduled for an ultrasound depending on your symptoms.
Prostate Screening by Age
Prostate cancer screening is one of the most common reasons men see a urologist. Current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that men aged 55 to 69 make an individual decision about PSA-based screening after discussing the potential benefits and risks with their doctor. For men 70 and older, routine PSA screening is generally not recommended.
If you’re Black or have a family history of prostate cancer, especially multiple close relatives, your risk is higher and screening conversations may need to start earlier. The task force does not set a separate recommendation for these groups but encourages informed, personal decision-making based on that elevated risk.
When Boys Need a Urologist
Pediatric urologists specialize in urinary and reproductive conditions in infants, children, and teens. Some of the most common reasons a child might be referred include undescended testicles, bedwetting that persists beyond the expected age, frequent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or structural abnormalities of the urinary tract that are present at birth. Children with neurological conditions like spina bifida may also need ongoing care from a pediatric urologist to manage bladder function.
Symptoms Worth Getting Checked
You don’t need a referral to see a urologist in most cases, though your insurance may require one. Symptoms that warrant a visit include blood in your urine (even once), pain or a lump in a testicle, difficulty urinating or a weak stream, frequent nighttime urination, persistent pelvic or groin pain, or trouble with erections. A painless change in the size, shape, or texture of a testicle is particularly important to have evaluated promptly, as these changes can signal testicular cancer.
For urinary symptoms in men over 45, visible blood in the urine that can’t be explained by an infection is considered a red flag that typically leads to an urgent evaluation. Any unexplained penile mass, persistent sore, or lesion on the foreskin or glans should also be assessed quickly after ruling out other causes.