Urology

Urology is a specialist area of medicine involved with 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 Urological Surgeon.

Your urinary tract is formed by kidneys, ureter, bladder and urethra. In men, it also includes the prostate, penis, and testicles. 

A problem in any one of these parts – whether damage or disease - can cause a variety of symptoms, some of which may be quite concerning to experience. Many people find it difficult to talk about problems in these areas, so they put off seeking help until symptoms become worse. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. 

Common reasons people visit our urologists for help include: 

• Urinary symptoms 
  • Blood in urine 
  • Recurrent urinary infections 
  • Difficulty urinating or weaker flow 
  • Urgency (needing to rush to the toilet) 
  • Increased frequency 
  • Leakage / incontinence 
  • Getting up more often at night to urinate (nocturia) 
• ‘Lumps and bumps’ in the genitalia 
• Concerns around prostate cancer and raised PSA blood tests 
• Penis/scrotal issues – such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation or blood in semen 
• Stone disease 
• Concerns about kidney or bladder cancer

The urologists at BMI The Park Hospital can help with all conditions affecting the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. They would be delighted to help you access the most appropriate treatment for your needs.  

Many urinary symptoms and conditions can often be treated without surgery.  

Lifestyle changes, like reducing the amount of tea, coffee or alcohol you drink may help to relieve symptoms.  

Medication such as tablets or antibiotics can often treat conditions such as recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), an enlarged prostate and erectile dysfunction. 

If non-surgical options are not able to give you suitable symptom relief, surgery may be an option. 

Surgery is often done using cystoscopy. A thin tube with a camera (cystoscope) is moved through the urethra and into your bladder. Small surgical tools can then be used for a number of procedures, such as removal of small stones, or taking a biopsy (a tiny sample of tissue). 

A transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) may be carried out to determine the type of bladder tumour present.  

A stone in the kidney or renal tract may require extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). This directs acoustic energy onto the stone, breaking it into smaller pieces that are more easily cleared. We also offer more invasive treatments such as Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). 

For people struggling with incontinence, medication and physiotherapy can be helpful. Other options include an artificial urinary sphincter or sacral nerve implants. 

In men, surgery to alter the size of the prostate can improve urine flow. This is usually done with a trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP). 

Minimally invasive (keyhole surgery) prostate artery embolisation stops the blood supply to certain parts of the prostate in order to reduce its size. 

For men, our surgeons also offer: 

• Circumcision 
• Re-do circumcision 
• Vasectomy 
• Vasectomy reversal 

At BMI The Park Hospital, robotic surgery can be carried out for certain conditions in the prostate, kidneys and bladder, such as removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy). Robotic surgery provides a high degree of precision for more complex operations, and recovery is often simpler and quicker. 

Whatever symptoms you’re experiencing, whether relatively mild or more severe and debilitating, our experienced Urology team are here to help you. Why not book your appointment now?   

When you visit BMI The Park Hospital for your initial consultation, your consultant will take a medical history and ask you to describe your symptoms. They may ask you questions like: 

• What symptoms do you have?
• How long have you had these symptoms for?
• Have your symptoms been getting worse?
• Does anything cause your symptoms to flare up?
• Have you received any treatment already, such as prescribed medication? 

Your consultant may perform a physical examination. 

A Flow Rate test can be done quickly and easily to measure speed and volume of urine passed. 

Blood tests can often be helpful when investigating infection or inflammation. 

A cystoscope can be used to check for any obvious blockages.

Urodynamics can help measure how well the bladder is working function. This is more involved than a standard flow rate test. A very small catheter is inserted into the bladder and another into the rectum (for men), vagina (for women). The bladder is then artificially filled through the bladder catheter, then as you empty your bladder the pressure is measured. 

MRI and ultrasound scans of the prostate, bladder or kidney can be helpful for some conditions and symptoms. There are a number of complex investigations that can be carried out using our state-of-the-art scanners on-site – including multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) - and these are reported on quickly by dedicated radiologists. 

Once the results of any investigations are back, your urologist will explain them to you and then explore treatment options with you. 

Many people with a urological problem will start in the NHS but then decide to transfer to private care for faster access to the treatment they need.  

For more than thirty years, we have been helping to manage and treat urological conditions in men and women across Nottinghamshire.   

While many of our private patients are local to Nottingham, excellent road access makes it very easy for people from further afield to visit with us, so we also see people from Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. 

Many people are referred to us by their GP, a doctor in another field or their private medical insurance provider. Others self-refer to avoid delay. For your convenience, we treat both private medical insurance and self-pay patients. 

When you visit BMI Park Hospital you will benefit from: 

• Fast access to a leading authority – Our urologists our highly experienced in treating a wide range of urological conditions. The Park has a teaching hospital environment, with many of our urologists choosing to sub-specialise in certain areas. Our integrated Urology service ensures you will always see the most appropriate specialist for your particular condition.  
• State-of the-art diagnostic assessment – We provide comprehensive assessment of urological problems. Whether that involves a complex MRI scan, a biopsy or another investigation, we can arrange it quickly and easily for you. With a quick turnaround or test results, your consultant will be able to tailor your treatment plan sooner.  
• Consultant-led care – Your consultant will oversee every aspect of your care. You will always see the same consultant and will never have to worry about seeing a more junior doctor. If treatment needs adjusting at any point, this is easily done.  
• A multidisciplinary team - Your urologist has fast, easy access to on-site specialists in other fields, like oncology, radiology, gynaecology and physiotherapy. The multidisciplinary team at the hospital ensures you will always see the most appropriate person for your condition at every stage of your treatment.  
• Convenient appointments – Urology appointments are available throughout the week and are easy to book online or by telephone. We can offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required and where clinically appropriate.  

If you are worried or concerned about any urological symptoms, why not book a consultation today to get clarity about the best way forward, sooner? We are here for you.