The branch of medicine that deals with the urinary system and male reproductive organs. Urologists diagnose and treat problems with the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and related structures.
From Greek 'ouron' meaning 'urine' + '-logy' meaning 'study of'. The term was formed in the 1800s as medical fields became more specialized.
Urology sounds very technical, but it literally just means 'the study of urine'. That’s because your pee carries so many clues about how your kidneys and other organs are doing.
Urology historically focused on male reproductive and urinary health, and the field has been male-dominated in both practitioners and research subjects. This contributed to gaps in understanding urinary and pelvic conditions in women and gender-diverse people.
Use 'urology' to refer to urinary tract health across all genders, and specify anatomy or conditions rather than assuming male patients by default.
Women urologists and researchers have been central in broadening the field to include female and gender-diverse patients’ needs, improving diagnostics and care standards.
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