Urology has traditionally not paid much attention to women. For decades, the field focused almost exclusively on male genitourinary problems, while urology problems for women remained in the purview of obstetrics and gynecology.
Up until the mid-1980s, urology had only 22 women in the field, according to medical historian Barron H. Lerner, MD. When women entered the field, many male patients refused to be treated by women, especially if they saw a male doctor in the wings. So, as women slowly, but surely, have entered the field, they first began to gain a foothold in pediatric and women's urology.
For a long time, women have taken their urology problems to their ob/gyns, whom they have built long-term relationships with. But many more urologists have entered female urology. The field now includes both male- and female-trained urologists.
I'd like to know from women readers: do you see urologists as practitioners that you would go to for urology care? What would you look for in selecting a urologist to take care of you? Where would you start?
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Related Links
Lerner, BH. Urology field slowly altered, by women. New York Times. Sept. 8, 2008.
Any good internist should be capable of dealing with the most common urological problems in women. If your ob/gyn is your most trusted doc, that works too.
I see a female urologist. When I had problems with recurrent bladder infections, I wanted to get to the bottom of it and took my urinary problems to a urologist rather than to my ob/gyn (also female, btw) who had been treating me. If the infections were not as frequent, I would not have switched.
I have seen a female urologist for about 8 years. I feel comfortable talking about uti’s with her and I feel her skills are more comprehensive than my primary care doctor. My internist was fine treating occasional infections but referred me to a urologist when the frequency increased.
To date, I’ve seen my internist regarding my UTI’s, which have been infrequent. I wouldn’t be opposed, however, to seeing a urologist, male or female, if they persisted.
I have a male urologist who is great…more compassionate and gentle than ANY doctor I’ve ever been to. I have a long history of urinary problems and have been to several urologists, both male and female. I think what matters most is who you feel comfortable with.