Andrologist
Andrologists are urologists who focus entirely on the treatment of conditions affecting male fertility and sexuality, rather than practicing a broader form of urology. This specialty includes the treatment of physical conditions affecting the genitalia, such as undescended testes, as well as injuries and diseases that can affect fertility or sexual function. Health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney failure can all decrease sexual function, so andrologists collaborate with caregivers in those fields. They also harvest sperm for in-vitro fertilization, when reproductive or sexual ability is impaired, or perform vasectomies when reproductive capacity is no longer desired.
The differences between urologists and andrologists result from the individual doctor's choices, rather than an intrinsic difference in the specialties. Every andrologist is a urologist, but one who's narrowed his practice to a specific subset of patients. Urologists treat patients of both genders, and for urinary problems as well as male reproductive issues. Andrologists are the male equivalent of gynecologists, focusing entirely on male reproductive issues. An andrologist can choose to specialize even further, treating only reproductive problems or only impotence and erectile dysfunction.
- Related Organisations
- Andrology Australia
Featured Andrologist pages
