The branch of medicine that focuses on the genitourinary system, its disorders, symptoms, and treatments is called urology. But aside from the urinary tracts of males and females, urology also deals with the medical aspects of the male reproductive system. Medical professionals that are specializing in the field of urology are known as urologists and they are allowed by law to perform examinations, surgeries, and oversee treatments on patients diagnosed with urological diseases.
Urology, due to the other functions of the organs of the genitourinary system and its close relation to the reproductive system, sometimes partly cover with or even go beyond the medical branches of oncology (branch of medicine that deals with cancer), gynecology (health of the female reproductive system), andrology (health of the male reproductive system), nephrology (functions and diseases of the kidney, a branch of internal medicine), and proctology (anus).
Some sub-branches of urology include; neurourology, pediatric urology, and urologic oncology. Neurourology primarily deals with the nervous system and its control on the genitourinary system. Urological disorders such as abnormal incontinence, overactive bladder, and urinary retention are sometimes related to neurological diseases like Parkinson ’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. Pediatric urology is focused on urological disorders that occur in children. Urologic oncology is concerned with the cancers that involve organs in the genitourinary system, such as prostate cancer, penile cancer, and bladder cancer. Other sub-branches are stone diseases, sexual dysfunction, and male infertility.