About urologists
Urologists are medical doctors with specialist training and skills in problems related to the kidneys, bladder and genitalia.
Paediatric urologists have special training and skills in kidney, bladder, genitalia and sexual function problems that affect children.
Other urologists specialise in areas like women’s incontinence or prostate problems in men.
If your child has health or development concerns, health professionals like urologists are there to care for your child and help you understand your child’s condition and treatment. With the support and expertise of these professionals, you can help your child thrive.
Why your child might see a urologist
Boys often see urologists for advice on and treatment of problems like undescended testes, hypospadias or foreskin problems.
Both boys and girls might see urologists about recurrent urinary tract infections, daytime wetting, night-time wetting, and kidney abnormalities like hydronephrosis.
Together you and the urologist will work out the best treatment options for your child. This could involve medication, surgery or behaviour changes.
To see a urologist, your child will need a referral from your GP or another medical specialist. Your GP or other doctor can help you find someone who’s right for your child.
Before going to a urologist
Before seeing a urologist, it’s a good idea to find out some information about the following:
- Why you’re going: talk with your GP about why your child needs to see a urologist.
- Appointments: do you need to make the appointment or will the GP make it for you?
- Waiting lists: how long before you can get an appointment to see the urologist?
- Is there anything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment – for example, can your child start some treatment or therapy?
- Costs: how much will the appointment with the urologist cost? It might be expensive, so check whether you can get money back from Medicare or private health insurance or whether you can get some other kind of financial help.
- What to take: for some conditions, you’ll need to get some tests done. It’s a good idea to take your test results and any X-rays, ultrasound pictures or urine culture reports to your appointment with the urologist.
- Locations: find out where you have to go to see the urologist – for example, a public or private hospital or consulting rooms. You might have to travel further than you expect, depending on your needs.
You might want to talk about these things and any other questions you have with your GP before you go to the urologist. You could also ask the urologist’s clinic when you make the appointment.