[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/11\/urology-vs-urogynecology\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/11\/urology-vs-urogynecology\/","headline":"Urology vs. Urogynecology: What’s The Difference?","name":"Urology vs. Urogynecology: What’s The Difference?","description":"The differences between urology and urogynecology can be confusing. Read on to learn the basics about the two specialties \u2014 and which one is right for you.","datePublished":"2022-11-10","dateModified":"2025-10-30","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","name":"Urology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GettyImages-1271564157.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GettyImages-1271564157.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/11\/urology-vs-urogynecology\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Urology"],"wordCount":662,"articleBody":"If you’re a woman with frequent urine leaks or pelvic pain, your primary care doctor may refer you to a urogynecologist. You may be wondering if that’s the same as a urologist, and if not \u2014 what’s the difference?Urology and UrogynecologyUrology and urogynecology are two related, but different, medical specialties. And a urologist and a urogynecologist are two different types of specialists.What is a urologist?A urologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions of the urinary system. Urologists treat both men and women, and in some cases children. They also diagnose and treat problems of the male reproductive system.What is a urogynecologist?A urogynecologist treats only women. They have special training in both urology and gynecology (the branch of medicine that deals with the female reproductive system).A urogynecologist focuses on pelvic floor conditions. The pelvic floor consists of the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs. The pelvic organs are the bladder, vagina, uterus, and rectum.What Conditions Does a Urologist Treat?A urologist treats urinary system problems in both men and women. Some have specialties like treating kidney stones, male infertility, or cancers of the urinary tract. Urologists may perform surgeries, such as vasectomies and kidney transplants.Urologists can treat the following conditions in both men and women:Kidney cancer.Disorders of the urinary system related to spinal injuries or neurological disease.Kidney stones.Urinary tract infections.Urologists treat the following conditions in men:Cancers of the reproductive system (penis, prostate, and testicles).Infertility.Erectile dysfunction (ED).Low testosterone.Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).Peyronie’s disease (painful curving of the penis during erection).Urinary incontinence.What Conditions Does a Urogynecologist Treat?A urogynecologist has special training in treating conditions of the pelvic floor. They treat women of all ages and can perform surgery on the pelvic floor organs.Many events in a woman’s life can weaken her pelvic floor. You may have urine leaks and pelvic pain after childbirth. As you age, incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders can become more common.Urogynecologists can treat:IncontinenceIncontinence means involuntary passing of urine or stool. Urogynecologists treat several types of incontinence.Stress incontinence. Common among women who’ve given birth, it happens when something puts stress on the pelvic floor. You might leak a little urine when you laugh, cough, or sneeze. Sometimes pounding exercise (like running or jumping) can cause leaks.Urge incontinence. These are urine leaks where you have a strong, sudden, \u201cgotta go” feeling. The cause may be an overactive bladder that squeezes at the wrong time, causing leaks.Fecal incontinence. When you pass gas or stool accidentally. Because the pelvic floor supports the lower digestive tract, a urogynecologist can treat this problem.Pelvic organ prolapseThis condition occurs when a pelvic organ drops into or pushes against the vagina. This condition is also known as a dropped bladder or dropped uterus. As women age, they are more likely to have this problem.Urinary tract infection (UTI)Some women are prone to recurrent UTIs. They can occur in any part of the urinary system \u2014 bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra.Pelvic painA urogynecologist can help women with different kinds of pelvic pain, including:Painful bladder syndrome. A chronic condition where the walls of the bladder become inflamed.Pain with intercourse. Pelvic floor problems such as UTIs or pelvic organ prolapse can cause pain with sex.Should I See a Urologist or Urogynecologist?The experts at the UPMC Department of Urology treat many different adult and pediatric conditions. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact a location close to you.UPMC Magee-Womens can also provide treatment for women with urinary disorders. Visit our website to find an urogynecology expert close to you.SourcesAmerican Urogynecologic Society, What is a Urogynecologist? LinkAmerican Urogynecologic Society, Pelvic Floor Health for New Moms, LinkUrology Care Foundation, What Is Urology? LinkNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"11","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/\/11\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Urology vs. Urogynecology: What’s The Difference?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/11\/urology-vs-urogynecology\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]