At The Meriden Hospital in Coventry, Warwickshire, highly experienced Consultant Urological Surgeons provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of urological symptoms in people aged 18+.
A Consultant Urological Surgeon specialises in problems affecting the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system.
The urinary tract is formed by the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, while the male reproductive system comprises the prostate, penis, and testicles.
The urinary tract filters the blood to remove waste products and excess fluid, which are expelled from the body as urine. The male reproductive system is responsible for sexual function.
Anything that prevents the proper functioning of the urinary tract – whether damage, disease, or illness – can cause health problems and a range of symptoms, some of them quite concerning to experience.
Unfortunately, many people will delay seeing a doctor because of the intimate nature of urinary symptoms. Some may find they are embarrassed to talk with somebody about them. However, it is always important to get medical assessment at the earliest possible stage if you have any symptoms that are causing you concern or affecting daily life.
For expert advice, it is very easy to book a private appointment with one of our experienced Consultants. They would be delighted to help you get the clarity you need about your symptoms and how best to resolve them.
People visit the Consultants at The Meriden Hospital for different reasons, including:
- Urinary symptoms
- Blood in urine
- Recurrent urinary infections
- Difficulty urinating – hesitancy or weaker flow
- Urgency / needing to rush to the toilet
- Increased frequency of urination
- Leakage / incontinence
- Nocturia (urinating more frequently at night)
- Loin or bladder pain
- Stone disease
- Concerns around cancer of the prostate, kidney, or bladder
- Lump or swelling found in the testes, penis, or scrotum
- Penis / scrotal issues – including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or unusual curvature of the penis
- Raised PSA levels on a recent blood test
- Tight or painful foreskin
Treatment for urinary symptoms may be non-surgical (conservative) or surgical.
Simple lifestyle changes like cutting down on caffeine and alcohol can often relieve some symptoms.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises and/or bladder training can help with some causes of incontinence.
Prescribed medication can be used to treat recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), stress incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or benign prostate enlargement (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia/BPH).
In terms of surgery, Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) can be carried out for many treatments. As only small incisions are made in the skin, it provides several benefits over traditional “open” surgery, including:
- Reduced pain and bleeding
- Less visible scarring
- A faster recovery
Kidney surgery may involve robotic, laparoscopic, retroperitoneal, transperitoneal, open, ureteroscopic, or percutaneous (PCNL) techniques (some of which will be arranged and carried out at another venue).
Stones in the kidney or renal tract can be treated in different ways including extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) or laser energy.
If cancer is discovered in the prostate, kidney, bladder, or testicles, treatment may be with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. If referral to Oncology is needed, this will be arranged for you without delay.
A transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) establishes the type of bladder tumour present, while superficial tumours can often be scraped away (‘resected’).
For prostate cancer when the cancer has not yet spread outside the prostate, complete removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles (radical prostatectomy) will often be advised.
Testicular cancer will usually require surgical removal of the testicle (orchidectomy). An artificial prosthesis can be placed into the scrotum to give a more natural appearance.
An enlarged prostate is a common problem in men, particularly as they age. If the prostate enlarges enough to start pressing on the urethra, it can cause problems with urination. Surgery can be carried out to reduce its size. Trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves removing an amount of prostate tissue to relive the pressure on your urethra.
For men, surgery also includes circumcision, circumcision revision, vasectomy, and vasectomy reversal, and hydrocele repair.
[Please note that many of the treatments mentioned above can be provided on-site at The Meriden Hospital, but others will be carried out at another venue. Your Consultant will arrange any treatment needed.]
When you visit The Meriden Hospital, your Consultant will take a medical history and ask you about your symptoms. They will want to know things like:
- What symptoms do you have?
- When did your symptoms start?
- Have they been getting worse?
- Do you have any pain?
- Have you already received any treatment?
- Do you have any underlying health conditions?
A physical examination will often be needed. In men, this may involve a prostate examination (digital rectal examination/DRE), which is quick and painless.
A Flow Rate test measures the speed and volume of urine passed and can give a good general indication of bladder function.
Blood tests are helpful when looking at possible infection, inflammation, or cancer. For example, a raised Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level in a blood test may be an indicator of prostate cancer, so will always warrant further investigation.
A flexible cystoscopy may be carried out to look for any blockage or narrowing along the urethra. A cystoscope is passed through your urethra and into your bladder, where it can be used to look for any problems in the lining of your bladder. If a small growth or stone is found, it can sometimes be removed through the cystoscope.
Our on-site imaging capabilities include ultrasound, MRI, and CT, all of which can be easily arranged for you if required.
Once a diagnosis has been made, your Consultant will talk through everything with you and outline suitable treatment options. If you have any questions or concerns, they will be very happy to talk through them with you.
If a pathology is found requiring referral to another specialist, this is easily arranged for you on-site.
Many of our patients live in Coventry and other parts of Warwickshire, although good road links make it very easy to visit us from further afield.
When you choose The Meriden Hospital, you will benefit from:
- Very short waiting times – We can arrange a private Urology appointment for you without delay to help you access any treatment you need sooner.
- Consultant-led care – You will always be seen by the same Consultant and will never be treated by a more junior doctor. Your Consultant will oversee every step of your care, from assessment and diagnosis through to treatment planning, treatment, and post-treatment follow-up.
- Access to a wider team – Your Consultant has fast access to specialists in other fields when needed, including radiology, oncology, and anaesthetics.
- Free* Parking – We believe that parking should be the least of your worries when visiting a hospital. Our 80-space car park is free of charge. *To validate your free parking, please register your car with us at Reception when you first arrive.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Meriden Hospital and helping you to access the support you need.
