Urology
You Deserve the Top Urology Center in Iowa
Urology focuses on the urinary system in both men and women, as well as the male reproductive system. If you have kidney stones, bladder problems, blood in your urine, an enlarged prostate, urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, pelvic floor concerns, or another urinary condition, a urologist can help find the cause and recommend treatment.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides personalized urology care for both men and women, from evaluation and testing to medical and surgical treatment.
What Is Urology?
Urology is the medical specialty that treats conditions involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and male reproductive system.
Urologic conditions can affect people of all ages. Common urology problems include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder control problems, an enlarged prostate, and other conditions that can affect comfort, sleep, sexual health, and quality of life.
At Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, our urology team provides care for both men and women, including routine concerns, complex conditions, and surgical needs.
When Should You See a Urologist?
You do not have to wait until a urinary problem becomes severe.
Consider seeing a urologist if you have:
- Blood in your urine
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Trouble starting or maintaining a urine stream
- Difficulty emptying your bladder
- Urgent or frequent urination
- Urine leakage or loss of bladder control
- Severe pain in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin
- Repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- A prostate, kidney, bladder, or testicular concern
Blood in the urine should be evaluated because it can have many causes, including infection, stones, and more serious conditions such as bladder or kidney cancer.
Severe side or back pain, blood in the urine, painful urination, nausea, or vomiting may also be signs of a kidney stone.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Urologist?
You may need a referral to see a urologist, but this differs by plan and provider.
We encourage patients check their insurance benefits before scheduling specialty care.
Contact Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics before your appointment, and our team can help you understand what information may be needed to schedule your urology visit.
Urology Services for Men & Women
Many urologic conditions affect both sexes, while others are linked to male or female anatomy.
| Urology concern | Men | Women | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney stones | x | x | x |
| Bladder cancer | x | x | x |
| Kidney cancer | x | x | x |
| Blood in the urine | x | x | x |
| Overactive bladder | x | x | x |
| Urinary incontinence | x | x | x |
| Recurrent urinary problem | x | x | x |
| Enlarged prostate (BPH) | x | ||
| Erectile dysfunction | x | ||
| Prostate cancer | x | ||
| Testicular conditions | x | ||
| Pelvic organ prolapse | x | ||
| Female pelvic floor disorders | x |
Men's Urology Services
Urologists care for both the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.
Enlarged Prostate & BPH Treatment
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate. It becomes more common as men age.
An enlarged prostate can press against the urethra and cause symptoms such as:
- A weak urine stream
- Trouble starting urination
- Frequent urination
- Getting up often at night to urinate
- Feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics offers evaluation and treatment for enlarged prostate symptoms, with options that may include minimally invasive procedures and prostate enucleation depending on the patient's needs.
Prostate Cancer Treatments & Care
Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms early, which is why screening conversations can be important.
The American Urological Association recommends that prostate cancer screening decisions consider age and individual risk. Men at increased risk may discuss screening beginning around ages 40 to 45, while men ages 50 to 69 are among those most likely to benefit from informed screening discussions.
Evaluation may include a PSA blood test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, along with imaging and, when appropriate, additional testing or biopsy.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides prostate cancer evaluation and treatment, including prostatectomy when appropriate.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is ongoing difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity.
ED can be related to blood flow, nerve function, hormones, medications, or other health conditions.
Urology care may include evaluation of the underlying cause and personalized treatment. Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics offers nonsurgical medication management, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical options such as penile implants when appropriate.
Vasectomy
A vasectomy is a procedure for permanent male contraception.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides vasectomy consultations, procedures, and follow-up care. A consultation allows patients to discuss health history, family-planning goals, the procedure, and what to expect afterward.
Women's Urology Services
Urology is not just for men.
Women commonly see urologists for bladder problems, urinary leakage, recurrent urinary concerns, and pelvic floor disorders. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, aging, and changes in pelvic support can all contribute to bladder control problems.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence means urine leaks when you do not intend it to.
Some people leak while coughing, laughing, exercising, or lifting. Others experience a sudden urge and cannot reach the bathroom in time.
Although urinary leakage is common, it should not simply be accepted as a normal part of aging. Treatment depends on the type and cause of the problem.
Urinary Incontinence Is Common
Women reporting urinary incontinence: 54%
Men reporting urinary incontinence: 15%
National public-health survey estimates reported by NIDDK. Rates vary by age, health, pregnancy history, prostate conditions, and other factors, so these figures should not be used to predict an individual's risk.
Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder can cause:
- A sudden need to urinate
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Waking at night to urinate
- Urine leakage
- Bladder pressure or discomfort
These symptoms can interfere with sleep, work, exercise, and everyday life, but treatment options are available.
Depending on the patient’s symptoms and needs, Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics offers:
- Bladder Botox injections: Helps relax overactive bladder muscles to reduce urgency, frequency, and urine leakage.
Pelvic Floor Disorders & Pelvic Organ Prolapse
The pelvic floor supports organs such as the bladder, uterus, vagina, and bowel.
When that support weakens, pelvic organs may move from their normal position. This can lead to pressure, urinary symptoms, discomfort, or bowel problems.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides care for women's pelvic health and pelvic organ prolapse surgery when nonsurgical care has not provided enough relief. Preferred physical therapy partners; on-site pelvic floor physical therapy in Belmond.
Kidney Stones & Kidney Disorders
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form from minerals and salts in the urine.
Some small stones can pass without a procedure. Larger stones may become stuck, block urine flow, or cause significant pain and bleeding.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides evaluation and treatment based on the stone's size, location, symptoms, and other health factors. Treatment may include ureteroscopy to locate, break up, or remove stones that are unlikely to pass naturally.
Urologic Cancer Care
Urologists play an important role in diagnosing and treating cancers of the urinary and male reproductive systems.
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides care for conditions including:
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Adrenal cancer
Cancer care may bring together urology, oncology, and other specialists to create a treatment plan based on the type and stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.
Urology Testing & Diagnosis
The right treatment starts with understanding what is causing your symptoms.
Depending on the concern, urology testing may include:
| Test | What It Helps Evaluate |
|---|---|
| Urinalysis | Blood, infection, and other changes in urine |
| PSA test | Changes in prostate-specific antigen that may need further evaluation |
| Cystoscopy | The inside of the bladder and urethra using a small camera |
| Urodynamic testing | How well the bladder stores and releases urine |
| Imaging | The kidneys, bladder, urinary tract, stones, masses, or blockages |
| Biopsy | Tissue that may need to be checked for cancer |
Why Choose Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics for Urology?
Urologic concerns can feel personal. You deserve care that treats them that way.
At Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, the urology team provides personalized care for both men and women, with evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and ongoing management available for a broad range of urinary and reproductive health concerns.
Our urology specialists work together to provide coordinated, patient-centered care from your first evaluation through follow-up.
Choose the Best Urology Center in Iowa
You do not have to live with bladder issues, urinary pain, kidney stones, prostate symptoms, leakage, or other urologic concerns without answers.
The urology team at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics provides personalized care for men and women, from diagnosis and testing through treatment and follow-up.
Ready to get answers?
For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information.
To find a provider, please visit our Urology Providers page.
