What to expect at your first urology appointment

A urologist is a physician trained in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the urinary tract in both men and women, as well as the male reproductive system. Urologists complete at least five to six years of surgical residency training after medical school, and many pursue additional fellowship training in areas like oncology, female pelvic medicine, pediatric urology, or male infertility.

According to the American Urological Association (AUA), there are approximately 13,000 practicing urologists in the United States, serving a population where roughly 1 in 3 adults will experience a urological condition at some point in their lifetime (AUA Census, 2024). That means demand often exceeds supply — which is one reason wait times for a first appointment can range from two to six weeks depending on your region.

Most patients do not self-refer to urology. A primary care physician, OB-GYN, or emergency department typically initiates the referral based on symptoms or test results that fall outside general medicine. The most common reasons include:

Blood in the urine (hematuria) — visible or detected on a routine urinalysis. The National Institutes of Health estimates that microscopic hematuria is found in up to 21% of the general population, and while most causes are benign, it requires urological evaluation to rule out bladder or kidney cancer (NIH/NIDDK, 2023).

Kidney stones — affecting approximately 11% of men and 6% of women in the United States during their lifetime, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF, 2024). Stones that do not pass on their own often need urological intervention.

Elevated PSA or prostate concerns — the AUA recommends shared decision-making about PSA screening starting at age 55 for average-risk men, or earlier for those with family history or African American descent. An abnormal result is one of the most common triggers for a urology referral.

Recurrent urinary tract infections — defined as two or more infections in six months or three or more in a year. The American Urological Association estimates that 50 to 60% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime (AUA, 2024).

Urinary incontinence or overactive bladder, enlarged prostate symptoms (BPH), erectile dysfunction, male infertility, testicular pain or lumps, and pelvic pain are also frequent reasons for referral.

Arriving prepared saves time and helps your urologist make better decisions on the first visit. Bring the following:

Your insurance card and a photo ID. Call ahead to confirm the practice accepts your plan — urology is a specialty, and not all plans cover every urologist. If you have a referral requirement, make sure the referral authorization number is on file before the visit.

A complete medication list, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Several common medications affect urological symptoms — alpha-blockers, diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood thinners can all influence urination, sexual function, or test results.

Any prior test results, imaging reports, lab work, or pathology results related to your reason for the visit. If your primary care physician ordered blood work, a urinalysis, a CT scan, or an ultrasound, bring copies or confirm that the results have been sent electronically.

A written list of your symptoms with approximate dates. When did the problem start? Is it getting worse? What makes it better or worse? How does it affect your daily life? Writing this down before the visit prevents you from forgetting details once you are in the exam room.

A list of questions you want to ask. It is easy to leave an appointment and realize you forgot to ask something important. We include a starter list of questions later in this guide.

Every urologist runs their practice slightly differently, but the general flow of a first visit follows a predictable pattern.

Check-in and paperwork — you will fill out intake forms covering your medical history, surgical history, family history, current medications, and a symptom questionnaire. Many practices use validated scoring tools like the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for men with urinary symptoms or the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) for urgency and frequency symptoms. These forms take 10 to 15 minutes.

Urine sample — nearly every first urology visit begins with a urinalysis. You will be asked to provide a urine sample when you arrive (this is why practices often ask you to come with a comfortably full bladder). The urinalysis checks for blood, infection, protein, glucose, and other markers. Results are usually available within minutes.

Medical history conversation — your urologist will review your intake forms, ask follow-up questions about your symptoms, and discuss your medical and family history. This conversation typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and is the most important part of the visit. Be honest and specific — urologists hear these concerns every day, and nothing you say will surprise them.

Physical examination — the exam varies based on your symptoms and sex. For men, this often includes an abdominal exam, a genital exam, and possibly a digital rectal exam (DRE) to assess the prostate. The DRE takes about 10 to 15 seconds and, while uncomfortable, is not painful for most patients. For women, the exam may include an abdominal exam and a pelvic exam if symptoms involve incontinence, prolapse, recurrent UTIs, or pelvic pain.

Additional tests — depending on your symptoms, your urologist may order blood work (PSA, creatinine, or a basic metabolic panel), imaging (ultrasound of the kidneys or bladder, or a CT scan), or a post-void residual measurement (a quick, painless bladder ultrasound after you urinate to check how well your bladder empties). In some cases, a cystoscopy (a thin camera inserted through the urethra to view the bladder) may be recommended, though this is more common at follow-up visits than at a first appointment.

Plan for 45 to 60 minutes total, including check-in, paperwork, the exam, and the discussion afterward. The face-to-face time with your urologist is typically 15 to 30 minutes. If additional tests like a bladder ultrasound or blood draw are done in-office, add another 10 to 15 minutes.

Some patients are in and out in 30 minutes; others take closer to an hour depending on the complexity of the problem. If you are being evaluated for a possible cancer diagnosis, the visit may run longer because the urologist will spend more time explaining next steps.

Prostate evaluation is one of the most common reasons men see a urologist. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects approximately 50% of men by age 60 and up to 90% by age 85, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK, 2023). Symptoms include weak stream, frequent nighttime urination, hesitancy, and the feeling that the bladder is not emptying completely.

Erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 30 million men in the United States (NIDDK, 2023). Your urologist will ask about onset, severity, relationship to medications, cardiovascular health, and psychological factors. This conversation is confidential, and urologists evaluate ED routinely — there is no need to feel embarrassed.

Male infertility evaluation typically involves a semen analysis, hormone blood work, and a physical exam. Approximately 9% of men of reproductive age in the U.S. have experienced fertility problems (CDC, 2024). Testicular pain, lumps, varicoceles, and vasectomy consultations are also common first-visit reasons for men.

Women are sometimes surprised to learn that urologists treat female patients, but urinary issues do not discriminate by sex. Stress urinary incontinence — leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising — affects up to 35% of adult women, with prevalence increasing after childbirth and menopause (AUA/SUFU Guidelines, 2024).

Recurrent urinary tract infections are another major reason women seek urology care. When UTIs keep coming back despite standard antibiotic treatment, a urologist can evaluate for structural causes, recommend prevention strategies, and discuss options like vaginal estrogen therapy for postmenopausal women.

Overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), blood in the urine, and kidney stones are all conditions that bring women to a urologist. The physical exam for women is similar to a gynecological exam and focuses on pelvic floor function, bladder support, and urethral health.

Urology visits involve body parts most people do not talk about openly. It is completely normal to feel anxious, embarrassed, or apprehensive before your first appointment. Here is what helps:

Urologists perform these exams dozens of times per week. What feels deeply personal to you is routine clinical work for them. They are trained to be matter-of-fact, efficient, and respectful of your comfort.

You can bring a support person. Most practices allow a partner, family member, or friend to sit in the exam room with you if that makes you more comfortable. If you prefer privacy, that is equally fine.

You can ask questions at any point. If you do not understand something, ask. If you want to know exactly what the urologist is doing before they do it, say so. Good physicians explain as they go.

The physical exam is brief. A digital rectal exam takes 10 to 15 seconds. A pelvic exam takes a few minutes. The vast majority of a urology visit is conversation, not examination.

Your information is confidential. HIPAA protections apply to everything discussed in a urology office, including sensitive topics like sexual function, incontinence, and STI history.

Having a list of questions ready helps you get the most out of your appointment. Consider asking:

What do you think is causing my symptoms? Is this something that needs treatment now, or can we monitor it? What tests do you recommend, and what will they tell us? Are there lifestyle changes that could improve my symptoms? What are my treatment options, and what are the risks and benefits of each? How often will I need follow-up appointments? Should I be concerned about cancer based on my symptoms or test results? Is there anything I should avoid doing before my next visit or test?

Write these down and bring the list with you. Your urologist expects questions and wants you to leave feeling informed.

After the visit, your urologist will explain their initial assessment and outline next steps. This may include additional testing (imaging, blood work, or procedures like a cystoscopy), a trial of medication, a referral to pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, or scheduling a follow-up visit to review results.

If biopsies or advanced imaging are ordered, results typically take 5 to 10 business days. Most urology practices will call you with results or schedule a follow-up to review them in person. Do not hesitate to call the office if you have not heard back within the expected timeframe.

For many conditions, the first visit provides enough information to begin treatment immediately. For others, the first visit is diagnostic — establishing a baseline so your urologist can build an evidence-based treatment plan.

If you have been referred to a urologist or are considering scheduling a visit, FindAUrologist can help you find a qualified urologist in your area. Use our provider directory to search by location, specialty focus, and insurance acceptance.

For New Jersey patients, Innovative Urology in Perth Amboy is the first featured practice in this directory. You can call (732) 395-7488 to schedule directly or browse all verified providers in New Jersey.