Urology is the area of medicine involved in the diagnosis and treatment of problems in the male and female urinary tract, and of the male reproductive system. A doctor who specialises in this area is a Consultant Urologist.
At The Cavell Hospital in Enfield, North London, we provide expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide variety of urinary symptoms and conditions
Your urinary tract removes urine from the body. It comprises the bladder, kidneys, ureter (the tubes connecting your kidneys to your bladder) and urethra, as well as the prostate in men.
A problem in any part of the urinary tract may cause symptoms, some of which can be quite concerning to experience. Common reasons people book a private Urology appointment with us include:
- Urinary symptoms
- Difficulty urinating
- Weaker flow
- Urgency/needing to rush to the toilet
- Increased frequency
- Feeling like your bladder isn’t fully empty, even after going to the toilet
- Leakage/incontinence
- Frequently getting up at night to urinate (nocturia)
- Blood in urine
- Lump found in genitalia
- Penile/scrotal issues – such as erectile dysfunction
- Recurrent bladder/urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- A raised PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level on a recent blood test
- A stone or mass showing in your kidneys or bladder on a recent scan
Many urinary symptoms in both men and women can be treated effectively without the need for any type of surgery.
Small changes in diet can relieve certain symptoms. Cutting down on the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink can also be helpful (for many different health reasons).
Medication such as tablets or antibiotics can be effective at managing recurrent UTIs, an enlarged prostate or erectile dysfunction.
If non-surgical options are not able to provide you with suitable symptom relief, surgery may an option.
A transurethral procedure involves passing a thin tube with a camera (cystoscope) through your urethra and into the bladder. Surgical tools can then be used through the tube, allowing a variety of treatments to be carried out, such as the removal of small stones. If indicated, a biopsy (tissue sample) can be taken for further analysis.
If a bladder tumour is being investigated, a transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) can help identify the type of tumour.
Stones in the kidney or renal tract can be removed in several ways. Your Consultant will plan the most appropriate treatment for you.
In men, surgery can be carried out to alter the size of the prostate to allow urine to flow more freely. A common operation to achieve this is a trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
For men, a circumcision can be done to remove the foreskin, while a vasectomy can be carried out as a permanent means of contraceptive.
Treatment will often be conservative (non-surgical) at first, with surgery being used if you don’t get suitable relief of your symptoms. For some conditions, surgery will be the first choice of treatment.
If you would appreciate expert treatment advice for your condition, why not book a private appointment with one of our experienced Consultants today? They would be delighted to help you.
PLEASE NOTE: While some of these treatments are available on-site at The Cavell Hospital, others will be arranged at our sister site, The Kings Oak Hospital. More advanced or complex treatments may be carried out another site, and this will be arranged for you by your Consultant where required.
When you first visit The Cavell Hospital, your Consultant will take a medical history and ask you to describe any symptoms you have. They will want to know things like:
- What symptoms have you been experiencing?
- How long have you had these symptoms / When did they first become noticeable?
- Do you have any pain? If so, can you describe it?
- Have you previously had any treatment for this problem?
- Does anything make your symptoms worse (e.g. activity, time of day, certain foods, or drinks)?
Your consultant may perform a physical examination, and there are further investigations that may be helpful to arrange.
Blood tests may be requested to check for signs of infection or inflammation which may be causing your symptoms.
A urine test can show up certain conditions or diseases.
A urine Flow Rate test measures the speed and volume of urine passed, while a cystoscope can help check for blockages. (If a small stone is discovered to be the cause of the blockage, it may sometimes be possible to remove it at the same time. If the stone is too big for this, appropriate surgery can be planned.)
Ultrasound scans of the prostate, bladder or kidney can also be helpful for some conditions and symptoms, while CT and MRI scans are useful in some cases.
Once a diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan will be formulated and discussed with you. If you have any questions or concerns, your Consultant will be very happy to discuss these with you during your private appointment.
Many of the people who visit our Consultant ENT Surgeons live locally, either in Enfield itself or nearby. They appreciate being able to access expert help without having to travel to a Central London location such as Harley Street.
We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients, and you can self-refer to avoid delay.
When you visit Cavell Hospital for help with a urological condition, you will benefit from:
- Fast assessment – Urinary symptoms can often be quite uncomfortable and may interfere with daily routines. We can book your private appointment without delay, so that you can get the help you need sooner.
- Consultant-led care – you will always be treated by a Consultant, never a more junior doctor. Your Consultant will oversee every aspect of your care.
- Access to a wider team – Your Consultant works closely with specialists in other fields like oncology, radiology, and gynaecology. Should you need additional assessment or treatment from another specialist, this is easily arranged for you.
- Convenient appointments – Private Urology appointments are available throughout the week, making it easy to find an appointment that fits your availability. We can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).
- Recommended by patients – In an independent survey, 98.6% of people said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family.
- Location - The Cavell Hospital is in Enfield, North London, and easy to travel to by private or public transport. Our car park has 80 spaces.
If you are experiencing any problems or symptoms within your urinary tract, or would like to meet with somebody to discuss adult circumcision, vasectomy, or treatment for erectile dysfunction, why not book a private appointment today to help you get clarity sooner?
For peace of mind and expert care, please contact our friendly team at The Cavell Hospital to book your visit. We very much look forward to welcoming you soon and helping you to access the support you need.
