Urination Problems: Urinary Tract Infection, Painful Urination, Inability to Urinate, etc.

“If you are suffering from a problem involving the urinary  or reproductive tract, I can help. I have experience treating patients with issues ranging from urinating too often to not urinating at all. Whatever your urology care need, whether it involves painful urination, blood in the urine, or a frequent and/or urgent need to urinate, chances are I have seen and treated it before. Feeling embarrassed? There’s no need- your problem can be solved, but first you need to see me.”

-Dr. Bella Zimilevich, MD

Common Urology Problems

– Urinary Incontinence
– Frequent Urination
– Urinary Tract Infection / Bladder Infection

What is urology?

Urology is the branch of medicine that focuses on care of the female and male urinary tract.

What are common symptoms caused by urological conditions?

Generally, if there is something wrong within your urinary tract, you will know about it! Few disorders of the urinary tract are completely asymptomatic (without symptoms). The following are some symptoms you might experience if you have a urinary tract issue:

• blood in the urine (hematuria)
• urinating frequently at night (nocturia)
• painful urination or difficulty voiding (dysuria)
• urinary frequency (“going all the time”)
• urinary urgency (urgent and painful need to urinate)
• urinary incontinence (loss of control over urination)
• inability to urinate
• flank pain (pain in your back just below your ribs)
• foul-smelling urine

What to expect during your visit

First of all, I will need to know what brought you to see me. Many people find it embarrassing to talk about their urinary habits. Let me assure you, whether you are a male or female, I have likely seen and heard it all, and there is nothing that you can tell me that I haven’t heard before! I promise discretion and respect and I prize patient confidentiality above all else.

There’s a good reason for you to tell me all of your symptoms: symptoms will often point to a diagnosis, so try not to leave anything out, no matter how embarrassing. For example, if you tell me that you have been having difficulty holding your urine and that you lose control when you sneeze or cough, that information tells me that you are probably experiencing stress incontinence, a type of incontinence that often affects women who have been pregnant or given birth due to relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. As another example, if you tell me that you have symptoms that are compatible with a sexually transmitted infection but you have never been sexually active, my list of possible diagnoses diminishes. You can see why it is important not to leave anything out- the more information I have, the more accurately I can treat you.

Once I have learned about your symptoms and we have discussed your past medical history, I may need to examine you. Examination may not be necessary for some conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, but other conditions may warrant an exam.

If an exam is necessary I will ask you to change into a gown. I will carefully explain what I am going to do before I do it so that you don’t feel anxious.

If necessary, I may order tests, depending on what I feel may be causing the problem. I may order urine or blood tests (most commonly) or other tests (such as an x-ray or ultrasound) if I feel they are necessary. Some diagnostic tests can be performed right here in the clinic.

Most of the time, after discussing signs and symptoms, performing a physical exam and ordering any diagnostic tests that might be necessary, your care will start and end with me. I may ask you to follow up with me after treatment, depending on what I find.

If you are experiencing urinary tract  or reproductive tract issues, a delay in treatment may lead to complications. The sooner you are seen, the sooner you can be treated. Don’t delay-make an appointment today.

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