Urology Awareness Month: Why Your Urinary Health Matters

September is Urology Awareness Month — a time to focus on a part of our health we don’t often talk about, but that affects everyone. Most of us don’t give much thought to our kidneys, bladder, or other urinary organs until something goes wrong. But just like your heart or lungs, they play a vital role in keeping you healthy every day.  

What Is Urology?  

Urology is about keeping your urinary system in top shape — your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra — regardless of age or gender. For men, it also covers the reproductive organs such as the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate. Since anyone can experience problems in these areas, paying attention to your urologic health is integral to caring for your whole body.  

Although urology is considered a surgical specialty, urologists do much more than perform surgery. They draw on knowledge from internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and other areas of health care. Their broad training allows them to treat various concerns — from infections and kidney stones to bladder problems, cancers, and reproductive health issues. In short, a urologist is a versatile problem-solver for one of your body’s most essential systems.  

Common Urologic Conditions  

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)  

• How common are they? About 50% of women will develop a bladder infection during their lifetime; 25% of these will have recurrences. Men under 50 rarely have bladder infections.  

• Risk factors and basics: The Centers for Disease Control list several risk factors, including prior UTIs, sexual activity, vaginal flora changes (including menopause), pregnancy, older age, and structural problems (e.g., enlarged prostate).  

• When to act: Burning, frequent urges to urinate, lower abdominal pain, or cloudy/bloody urine are classic symptoms — you should see a clinician for testing and treatment. 

• Recurrent UTIs: Strategies to prevent recurring UTIs include antibiotics and other nonantibiotic methods, such as behavioral measures and the selective use of cranberry or methenamine for some patients. Discuss options with your clinician.  

Kidney Stones  

• How common are they? About 11% of men and 6% of women in the U.S. will have a stone at least once. 

• Prevention 101: Hydration is the single most crucial step. Health experts recommend that most people without kidney failure and those prone to kidney stones drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day to produce at least 2.5 liters of urine.  

Enlarged prostate (BPH)  

• What is it? Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate, causing lower urinary tract symptoms.  

• Care is evolving: Evidence-based evaluations and a wide range of medical and minimally invasive surgical treatments tailored to symptom severity, prostate size, and patient goals are evolving.  

Overactive bladder (OAB)  

• New, patient-centered guidance: The 2024 American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital (AUA/SUFU) Reconstruction Guidelines emphasize shared decision-making, behavioral therapies (e.g., bladder training, pelvic floor therapy), medications, and advanced options when needed.   

Urologic cancers  

• Prostate cancer: The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates ~313,780 new U.S. cases and ~35,770 deaths in 2025. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends individual decision-making for men ages 55–69 after discussing benefits and harms; it recommends against routine screening at 70+. Risk factors (e.g., family history, Black race) merit a personalized conversation.   
• Bladder cancer: The ACS projects 84,870 new U.S. cases in 2025. Smoking is the leading risk factor, and blood in urine is a key warning sign.   

Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore  

While some urinary issues are minor and temporary, others can signal a more serious problem. Knowing what to watch for — and acting quickly — can make all the difference in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment. If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait — see a health care provider as soon as possible:  

• Blood in your urine (hematuria): You should always take even a single episode of blood in your urine seriously. The latest AUA/SUFU guidelines (2025) recommend a thorough, risk-based evaluation for microscopic blood in urine and visible blood.   

• Painful urination, frequent urges, urgency, pelvic pain, or fever: These may point to a UTI. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, timely treatment can prevent complications.  

• Severe back or side pain, nausea, or blood in urine: These symptoms may signal a kidney stone, so seek prompt evaluation to prevent worsening pain or kidney damage.  
• A slow or weak urine stream and frequent nighttime urination: These could be symptoms of BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate.   

Everyday Steps to Protect Your Urologic Health  

• Hydrate wisely: Aim for adequate fluids (mostly water); your clinician may set a specific target if you’ve had stones or frequent UTIs.  

• Don’t smoke: Smoking raises the risk of bladder and kidney cancers; quitting lowers the risk over time. 

• Mind sodium and animal protein: Both can influence stone risk; pairing oxalate-rich foods with calcium at meals can help some stone-formers.  

• Monitor pelvic floor and bladder habits: According to the AUA/SUFU, bladder training, timed voids, and pelvic floor exercises can reduce urgency, leakage, and OAB symptoms.  

• Seek prompt care for UTI symptoms: This can help prevent complications such as kidney infection.   

• Know your numbers and history: Share any family history of prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer; review medications and supplements that may affect urine or kidneys.  

When to See a Urologist  

• You’ve had recurrent UTIs, kidney stones, or persistent urinary symptoms (urgency, frequency, incontinence, weak stream). 

• You notice blood in your urine — even once. 

• You want to discuss prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, have an elevated PSA, or have received abnormal exam results. 

Take Charge of Your Urologic Health 

Small, consistent actions—such as staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, practicing smart bladder habits, and scheduling regular checkups—can significantly protect your urinary system. This September, consider sharing this guide with someone you care about and set a urology health goal together. Your future self will thank you! 

If you or a loved one is experiencing urinary symptoms, contact Colorado Mountain Medical’s Urology services to schedule an appointment. 

This article was reviewed by Dr. Joseph Dall’Era, MD.