Urologic problems can make life uncomfortable, challenging, and frustrating for men and women alike. Unfortunately, urologic problems, such as incontinence, painful urination, and lower stomach pain, can often be signs of other underlying problems. When do you need to seek the services of a urologist? While this answer varies based on your medical history, here are a few times you must make an appointment.

1. Blood In Your Urine

One of the first signs indicating urological problems is often blood appearing in your urine. Your urine should be a pale yellow color and should not be brown, pink, or tea-colored. While this could be a temporary condition caused by injury to your bladder, it could also indicate other conditions, such as the following:

• Bladder infections
• Kidney infections
• Kidney stones
• Various cancers

An appointment with a urologist can eliminate your concerns about these conditions.

2. Urinary incontinence 

A common urological condition among men and women is urinary incontinence or the loss of bladder control. The severity of this condition can range from an occasional leak when laughing or sneezing to having the urge to go so strong you cannot get to the restroom in time. There are several types of incontinence your urologist may discuss with you. Some of these include:

• Stress
• Urge 
• Overflow 
• Functional

You may also experience mixed incontinence, of which stress and urge incontinences are the usual mixes. Make an appointment with your urologist when incontinence begins affecting your daily routines or negatively impacts your life.

3. Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

If you have a frequent urge to urinate but a weak urine flow, with or without pain in your lower back or pelvis, you may be experiencing a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections in women. Estimations state over half of women will experience at least one in their lifetime. 

UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra, travel to your bladder, and multiply. This infection triggers your body's inflammatory response, which produces the symptoms often associated with this condition.

While UTIs are more common in women than men, men are not exempt, and several things can put you at risk. Some of these include the following:

• Sex
• Exercise
• Binding clothing
• Hormonal changes
• Improper cleaning

Unfortunately, antibiotic treatment can also increase your risk of infection. This increased risk is due to the antibiotics wiping out the good bacteria along with the bad. Consider consulting a urologist versus your primary care physician if you have frequent or chronic UTIs. This chronic condition can also be a sign of a more severe problem.

Contact a urologist to learn more.