Urology

Helping you get back to the life you love

St. Anthony Hospital is pleased to offer a full line of Urology Services.  If you are interested in making an appointment with our Urologist, or for more information, please call 541-966-0535.  Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 6pm.

What is Urology?

Urology is known as a surgical specialty. Besides surgery, a urologist is a doctor with wisdom of internal medicine, gynecology and other parts of health care. This is because a urologist encounters a wide range of clinical problems. The scope of Urology is big and the American Urological Association has named seven subspecialty parts:

• Pediatric Urology (children's urology)
• Urologic Oncology (urologic cancers)
• Renal (kidney) Transplant
• Male Infertility
• Calculi (urinary tract stones)
• Female Urology
• Neuro-urology (nervous system control of genitourinary organs)

What is a Urologist?

Simply put, a Urologist is a doctor who treats people for problems and diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Some of the organs we look after include the kidney, prostate, bladder, urethra, testes, and penis.

If you are having any issues related to the above areas then a urologist can help by discussing the problem, examining you, investigating and reaching an accurate diagnosis. Although there is a common misconception that we only treat men, urologists actually treat men and women.

Signs or symptoms that must be seen by a Urologist:

A urologist can offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services in a range of areas, but below are some examples of symptoms that must be seen by a Urologist.

1.    Blood in urine

The presence of blood in urine can be caused by a number of different conditions, and while some are not serious and often resolve themselves, blood in urine can be a symptom of a urinary tract infection or more a more serious disorder such as kidney disease or cancer. As a result, this should never be ignored and should be checked out by a urologist.

2.    Bladder control problems, Difficulties urinating, or Pain

This is a common problem among men and women. For men, a Urologist can determine if the prostate is blocking the flow of urine from the bladder. In women, a Urologist can work out treatment options, including exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, medication, implanted devices and surgery for treatment of bladder leakage. If you are finding it painful to urinate, it could be a sign there is an infection in the urinary tract caused by bacteria. Urologists can determine the cause of the infection and recommend treatment options.

3.    Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, where the penis is unable to reach sufficient rigidity to participate in sexual intercourse, can be a symptom of an underlying condition and bigger health issue. Men can sometimes avoid coming to see us if they perceive a health issue to be embarrassing, but it is important to remember that we’re friendly, approachable professionals who you can trust.

4.    Male fertility

Any aspect of male fertility should be referred to a Urologist because a small percentage of male infertility is caused by testicular cancer. Testicular cancer can be life-threatening but early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of survival and the signs can often be missed by primary care and fertility doctors.

What to expect during your visit:

To see a urologist you will need a referral from your primary care physician to ensure that we are the appropriate person for your condition, so if you have any urinary tract or male reproductive issues ask your primary doctor about how to book an appointment.

We will have been given notes from the doctor who referred you, but we will still ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. Depending on your symptoms and what we think is necessary for your individual situation, we may perform the following tests and examinations:

• CT or MRI scan
• Ultrasound
• Cystoscopy – which is a long thin probe with a camera on it that allowsus to see inside the urinary tract
• Urine specimen
• Biopsy
• Physical examination
• X-ray
• Urodynamic test – which is a study to assess how the bladder and urethra are performing their job.

Common Conditions treated by a Urologist

Prostate Cancer 
Advanced Prostate Cancer 
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer 
Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) 
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 
Urinary Incontinence 
Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome)
Low Testosterone 
Kidney Cancer 
Erectile Dysfunction 
Kidney Stones 
Hematuria 
Overactive Bladder (OAB) 
Prostatitis (Infection of the Prostate) 
Urinary Tract Infections in Adults 
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)